The agreement with the Central American Bank of Economic Integration Bank (CABEI) was signed in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on World Water Day, March 22, by CABEI Vice President Alejandro Rodriguez Zamora and Mr. Enrique Merlos, President Pro-tempore of GWP Central America. CABEI is the largest financial institution in Central America.
The agreement was the result of several meetings with bank representatives, implementation of joint initiatives, and the participation of Mr Rodríguez in the 2010 GWP Consulting Partners Meeting. The expectation is for an improved understanding of the role of water in economic and social development and the provision of funds for water management. Another initiative is the planned publication of a document on the situation of water resources in Central America.
Mr Rodriguez said that the objective of the cooperation is to identify integrated measures to be implemented by regional organizations and countries towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals and national development objectives in Central America.
Mr Merlos said that the programmes developed will result in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, water conservation, and better watershed management.
The agreement will facilitate the creation of alliances with other financial organizations that develop actions on water resources management at national, regional and international levels.
The signing ceremony was attended by GWP Chair Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Mr Jonathan Laínez, Vice-Minister of the Environment in Honduras, Ms Fabiola Tábora, GWP Central America Regional Coordinator, and Ms Gabriela Grau, GWP Network Officer for the region.
(Photo: Mr. Jonathan Lainez, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Honduras, Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez, Vice-Chair of CABEI, Mr. Enrique Merlos, Chair of GWP CAM and Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, GWP Chair)