The government of Peru, through the National Water Authority (ANA), and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization inaugurated today in the capital Lima the National Workshop for the Implementation of the Strategic Actions Program (SAP).

At the opening of the event, the General Manager of the National Water Authority (ANA – PERU), Johnny Saravia, stated that this National Workshop seeks to strengthen the country’s institutions for IWRM by considering gender equality, cultural and technical aspects in the implementation of the Strategic Actions Program.

In his words, Saravia highlighted the importance of the presence of the relevant national stakeholders, who “with their valuable technical contributions will help strengthen IWRM in the Amazon Basin and ensure that this workshop meets its objective”.

For his part, ACTO Administrative Director, Carlos Armando Salinas Montes, emphasized in his speech that the National Workshops, which are being held in each of the eight ACTO countries, are catalysts for the implementation and feedback of the SAP and provide inputs to advance in the consolidation of national policies.

In addition, Salinas added, “the National Workshops identify existing training needs and the support needed to advance the challenges that SAP implementation brings us, including technical IWRM issues, but also a cultural and educational perspective and a gender equality approach to water management and use.”

The inauguration included a cultural presentation by the group Folkshow Producciones, which performed Amazonian folkloric dances, such as the Movido Típico and the Cholones de Rupa Rupa.

From today until tomorrow, government representatives, both at the national and departmental levels, from the fields of water management, culture and education, will meet in thematic groups to formulate recommendations for the SAP implementation process. They will also identify opportunities for regional cooperation and contribute to the formulation of a National Action Plan (NAP).

The Strategic Action Program (SAP) – Based on a shared vision on the management of Water Resources in the Amazon Region, the SAP was approved in 2017 by the eight ACTO member countries and constitutes the first regional strategy for Integrated Water Resources Management in the Amazon Region.