Strategic Actions for Water Security in Peru

Peru faces significant challenges in ensuring water security, a critical factor for its sustainable development and resilience against climate change. A recent diagnostic report, “Peru: Strategic Actions for Water Security” (June 2023), highlights the complex interplay between water resources, economic growth, and environmental stability. Commissioned by the World Bank’s Global Water Practice and supported by the Global Water Security & Sanitation Partnership (GWSP), the study provides actionable recommendations to address water-related vulnerabilities and ensure long-term sustainability.

The Importance of Water Security in Peru Water security in Peru involves ensuring sufficient quality and quantity of water for public health, ecosystems, and economic activities while managing associated risks. This is especially critical as water-intensive sectors, including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, contribute significantly to Peru’s GDP. However, only 50% of Peruvians have access to safely managed drinking water, and 43% have access to adequate sanitation facilities, with rural and Amazonian regions being the most underserved.

Challenges and Strategic Recommendations The report identifies major obstacles to achieving water security in Peru, including:

1. Climate Change and Variability: Peru’s geography exposes it to extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which disrupt water supply and infrastructure.
2. Inefficient Infrastructure: Aging water systems and limited storage capacity amplify risks during periods of water scarcity.
3. Governance Issues: Centralized and fragmented water management hinder policy implementation and local adaptation efforts.

To address these issues, nine key recommendations are proposed, including improving water governance, increasing investments in storage infrastructure, modernizing irrigation systems, and promoting integrated solutions such as nature-based water management.

About the Author This article was authored by Juan Pablo Aranibar Osorio, an accomplished lawyer with over 12 years of experience in public management, international cooperation, and public sector reform. Holding a Master’s in Public Management from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and specialized training in Management from Harvard University, Mr. Aranibar has advised multiple government agencies in Peru. His work includes designing and monitoring projects exceeding $1.2 billion, contributing to OECD accession processes, and fostering collaborations with multilateral organizations. His expertise in water resource management and sustainable development underpins his commitment to advancing Peru’s water security agenda.

Este artículo fue escrito por Juan Pablo Aranibar Osorio, un destacado abogado con más de 12 años de experiencia en gestión pública, cooperación internacional y reforma del sector público en Perú. Con una maestría en Gestión Pública de la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña y formación en Management por la Universidad de Harvard, el señor Aranibar ha asesorado a múltiples entidades gubernamentales en Perú. Su trabajo incluye el diseño y monitoreo de proyectos de inversión pública por más de 1,200 millones de dólares, la contribución al proceso de adhesión del Perú a la OCDE, y la promoción de alianzas con organismos internacionales como el Banco Mundial y el BID. Su expertise en gestión de recursos hídricos, desarrollo sostenible y políticas públicas refuerza su compromiso con el avance de la seguridad hídrica en Perú.