The governments of Ibero-America are working on a plan for a cooperation fund to increase rural drinking water supply throughout Latin America, said Rui Baceira, planning director of SEGIP, Secretaria Geral Ibero-Americana. He was speaking at the VII Ibero-American environment ministers' forum, which was held in El Salvador from 11-13 June 2007 [1].

After reviewing the status of water resources and drinking water in Latin America, the fund will focus on training institutes for water and sanitation and on developing small rural drinking water projects.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and Spain were mentioned as potential funders. Although not mentioned, another source of funding could become the Banco del Sur (Bank of the South) [2], the brainchild of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, which is expected to be launched later in July 2007 as an alternative to the likes of IADB and the World Bank.

The intention is to present the plan at the XVII Ibero-American Summit taking place from 8-10 November 2007 in Santiago, Chile.

[1] El Salvador – MARN - VII Foro Iberoamericano de Ministros de Medio Ambiente

[2] Bank Information Centre – Bank of the South

Related news: Latin America: US$ 20 million infrastructure fund supports preparation of project proposals, Source Weekly, 10 Oct 2006 ; Central America: US$ 150 million mezzanine infrastructure fund launched, Source Weekly, 24 Aug 2006

Contact: Rui Baceira, SEGIP, Spain, contact

Source: BNAmericas (subscription site), 13 Jun 2007

Tags: capacity development