Created in 2023 by the presidents of the eight Amazonian countries during the Amazon Summit, the Amazon Network of Water Authorities (ANWA) was officially installed today with the commitment to advance the shared management of water resources, guaranteeing the human right to water and the revitalization, conservation and protection of water sources.
At the ceremony held at OTCA’s headquarters in Brasilia, the organization’s Managing Director, Edith Paredes, swore in RADA’s first president, Marissa Castro, Director General of International Boundaries and Waters at Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In line with what was agreed by our presidents at the Amazon Summit, ANWA represents another step in consolidating and ratifying the spirit of cooperation that we formed in 1978 with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty. It is also a step towards strengthening the integrated, sustainable and harmonious management of the Amazon Basin,” said Marissa Castro in her inaugural speech.
According to its regulations, RADA’s objectives include the promotion of regional cooperation for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the countries of the region, including South-South cooperation, for capacity building, technology transfer, professional training and the exchange of experiences, including at community level and in the scientific field, while respecting the national legislation of the Member Countries.
In addition to the water authorities of the 8 ACTO Member Countries, this first composition of RADA includes a technical committee of eight experts in water resources.
