Its Water resources governance in Brazil report highlights the shortcomings of current water management structures. Recent droughts in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo exposed the need to shift away from crisis management to effective risk governance of Brazil’s water resources.
“Brazil has made significant progress over the last decades to improve the country’s governance and management of water resources,” said Luiz De Mello, OECD deputy-director for public governance and territorial development.
“Yet, governance and management of water resources have not fully reaped the expected economic, social and environmental benefits. Addressing the existing challenges is all the more important when future water availability and demand are increasingly uncertain.”
The OECD proposed that poor coordination across different levels of government in Brazil and the mismatch between administrative boundaries need to be addressed.
It also said the ongoing preparation of the National Water Security Plan and the National Plan of Adaptation to Climate Change presented further opportunities for Brazil to strengthen its water institutions and policies.
However, a long-term vision would be required to express more clearly federal and state level priorities and policies and drive investment decisions.
