The 2023 Basin Forum, organized by the Water Stewardship Platform and led by WWF Colombia, has consolidated its position as a fundamental space for reflection, analysis, and discussion on critical issues related to the comprehensive management of water resources. This year’s event focused on water security and productivity, bringing together experts and professionals with extensive experience in environmental issues. It is important to highlight that, according to the 2022 National Water Study (ENA), the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta hydrographic sub-region ranks fifth nationally in terms of water demand, even surpassing Bogotá’s water demand. Surprisingly, 92% of this resource is used for agricultural activities. These data underscore the urgent need to effectively and collaboratively address the management and preservation of our water resources in this region.
Since its inception in 2016, this forum has addressed the socio-environmental issues of the Frío, Sevilla, Aracataca, Tucurinca, and Fundación basins, which connect the Sierra Nevada and the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. Through the exchange of experiences, the transfer of technical and scientific knowledge, and the identification of collective management actions, work has been done to develop tools for the analysis and design of actions that promote sustainability in this region.
Topics discussed included the climate crisis, water security, the sustainable management of organizations and production systems, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the international regulatory context. The event also featured the participation of candidates for governor of Magdalena, who discussed the challenges and challenges facing the region’s water security.
In the words of Dora Milena Zapata, Intersectoral Planning and Governance Specialist at WWF Colombia and coordinator of the technical secretariat of the Water Stewardship Platform: “The 2023 Basin Forum has been an invaluable space where we have identified key challenges, opportunities, and commitments for integrated water management in our region.
Notable conclusions include:”
- Challenges and Opportunities: It was recognized that our environment presents significant challenges in terms of climate, production, and social impact, but it also harbors riches in the form of environmental resources, biodiversity, water, and cultural heritage. Identifying and jointly leveraging these opportunities is essential.
- Key Collaboration: Collaboration and collective work were identified as key elements for turning these opportunities into concrete sustainability actions. The Water Stewardship Platform was highlighted as a catalyst for uniting efforts and capabilities in pursuit of more effective results.
- Global Connection: It was emphasized that collaboration transcends local borders and extends to the regional, national, and international levels. This cooperation must involve all actors in the value chain in sectors such as coffee, bananas, and palm, since production and its relationship with the environment are influenced by the market and consumer demands.
- Comprehensive Approach: The importance of considering watersheds from a comprehensive perspective, encompassing social, environmental, and economic aspects, was highlighted. Recognizing territorial dependence and connectivity is essential, as is strengthening local capacities and fostering knowledge exchange.
- Ethical Commitment: It was emphasized that the conservation and protection of our ecosystems should not be mere responses to government or market regulations, but rather an ethical commitment that transcends the benefits of the present and the future.
- Positive Impact: The 2023 Basin Forum facilitated the exchange of information, experiences, knowledge, and contacts, contributing to more informed and conscious decision-making in daily life. This is particularly relevant in the management of critical resources such as water and soil.
In short, the 2023 Basin Forum was a success in its mission to promote water sustainability and bring together diverse stakeholders to address challenges and seize opportunities in an environment of growing environmental relevance. An ethical commitment to the conservation of our natural resources is established as a fundamental pillar for a sustainable future. This event strengthens our path toward sustainability and the preservation of our environment.
