Regina Velazco, General Director of Basins and Water Resources at the Ministry of Environment and Water

“The Plurinational State of Bolivia recognizes the vital importance of the conservation, protection,  sustainable and reasonable management of the strategic resources of the Amazon Basin. By taking over the presidency of ANWA, we hope to advance in the establishment of a strong regional management mechanism based on the principles of cooperation and integration and within the framework of the commitments made in the Belém Declaration. We also hope that ANWA evolves into a space where it is considered for decision-making and not just a coordination space. The great challenge of the network is to land concrete actions that translate into results for local populations.”

Veronica Sánchez da Cruz Rios, President-Director of the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA)

“ANWA is a very important milestone in Amazon cooperation. In it, the authorities meet to discuss high-level hydrological monitoring priorities, develop joint action plans to observe climate change phenomena, and understand how it affects the hydrology and the lives of people. Among the challenges we face are the expansion of the hydrometeorological network and the implementation of alert systems for both floods and droughts. The most important challenge is to build a joint action plan to improve the quality and availability of drinking water and to develop water supply and sanitation systems and solutions for Amazonian populations.”

Oscar Francisco Puerta Luchini, Director of Integrated Water Resource Management at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

“Collaborative network work is the basis of governance and, in particular, water governance. ANWA calls on the eight countries of the Amazon basin to work in an articulated and collaborative manner to ensure the functioning of the water cycle in one of the most important and relevant ecosystems in terms of climate change adaptation, such as the Amazon. I believe that building a network is precisely the main challenge. Then, of course, there are the technical challenges of ensuring the integrity of Amazonian ecosystems and their importance in the water cycle and ensuring that the populations that depend on them – and not just those who live there – have access to this benefit of nature.”

María Luisa Riofrio, Vice Minister of Water at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition

“I am confident that by working together in ANWA we can build a more sustainable and equitable future for all the families that depend on the water resources of the Amazon. This is a space from which we can tell the world that we are truly committed to the integral and sustainable management of the Amazon’s water resources, especially its protection. The challenges must be faced by us, not only as technicians but also from the positions we hold in national governments.”

Frank Grogan, Specialist Hydrologist at the Ministry of Agriculture / Hydrometeorological Service

“The creation of the RADA and the proposed collaborative work, knowledge sharing and coordination between countries are crucial to addressing the complex challenges of the basin, taking into account aspects such as governance, climate change and variability, and pollution, among others. RADA is expected to facilitate coordinated efforts, promote regional synergies and transboundary cooperation, and support the development of rules and policies that benefit all basin countries. Guyana is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this innovative initiative, as integrated water resources management is a priority to ensure sustainability and avoid conflicts in the future.”

Alonzo Zapata Cornejo, Head of the National Water Authority (ANA)

“Since the Amazon Basin is a complex and extensive water system, we cannot manage it or work on it in isolation. Joint management efforts are necessary, as we are doing, trying to know and study it to better understand its functioning, promoting different initiatives in our countries and sharing experiences. Undoubtedly, ANWA represents a new stage in strengthening the integrated management of the Amazon Basin. We are aware that there are many challenges due to the vastness of the basin, but also that it is possible and feasible to work together to achieve a common goal, which is to manage it properly while preserving national autonomy and sovereignty.”

Nasser Rodjan, Permanent Undersecretary for Environment and Ecosystems at the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment

RADA is key to ensuring the sustainable and integrated management of water resources in the Amazon River Basin. For Suriname, being part of this network increases its capacity to effectively manage its water resources, adapt to climate change and benefit from regional cooperation and sustainable development initiatives. However, facing challenges such as coordination, data sharing and resource allocation is essential for RADA’s success.

“As a mechanism of coordination and collaboration, ANWA should lead us to use water as a mechanism for integrating our peoples. It also has the duty to preserve and conserve our water resources to ensure public health, food and energy production, and economic development. Water resource management is a very complex challenge that we are obliged to undertake with a technopolitical vision, as we say in Venezuela, to professionalize decision-making in line with state policies and with respect for national sovereignty and security. Since water resources fundamentally determine the quality of life for people, we are here to share experiences, implement concrete action plans in the Amazon region, and strengthen the structure of popular power in the co-management of water systems.”

Paragraph 30

“Establish the Network of Water Authorities of ACTO States Parties for cooperation in the sustainable management of regional water resources, with the objective of establishing regional protocols for monitoring, cooperation and mutual support regarding the management of water resources in the Amazon among State Parties with a view to rehabilitation, conservation and protection of water sources and its basins, and approvable criteria and parameters for water quality; and supporting the implementation of regional projects and actions regarding surface and underground water resources, planning and cooperation for the sustainable management of transboundary water resources including the transboundary, progressive strengthening of technical, technological and institutional capacities, technology innovation and intercultural dialogue, in line with the national contexts, including political, social and cultural commitments of each country.”