San José, Costa Rica, January 15, 2010. A strategic alliance between the government, academic sector and the private sector will result in the creation of the first Water Resources Center for Central America and the Caribbean, whose objective is to offer consulting and technical assistance to the countries in the region in order to contribute to the conservation of fresh water ecosystems.
During a ceremony headed by the President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sánchez, the partners of this initiative signed today the agreement for the establishment of the Water Resources Center.
The project is a result of the joint effort between the National Program of Competitiveness and Regulatory Improvement (PRONACOMER), the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), Tec de Monterrey, the Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (CAALCA), Coca-Cola FEMSA and FEMSA Foundation.
It is anticipated that the Center will begin operations in March 2010, and its main courses of action emphasize the protection and handling of ground and underground waters, the use and recovery of watersheds, the development of technologies for domestic, industrial and agro-industrial water treatment, the water quality and pollutant evaluation; as well as the economy, legislation and administration of water.
For the implementation of its projects, the Center will have with several laboratories, including those of Water Quality Analysis, Treatment and Reuse of Residual Water and Watershed Management. Likewise, the Center will offer a an undergraduate degree in Hydrological Resources and a Masters in Water Management.
In agreement with the Minister of Competitiveness and Regulatory Improvement, Jorge Woodbridge, “the creation of this Water Resource Center reaffirms the traditional commitment of the country to protect what constitutes its biggest wealth: Natural resources; which positively affect Costa Rica’s competitiveness. The investment in innovation efforts and research grant the country multiple advantages in their strategy of developing technological clusters in harmony with the atmosphere”.
The Water Resources Center for Central America and the Caribbean will count with the experience in the improvement and sustainable use of water resources from the Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (CAALCA), which has presence throughout the region and was created in 2008; besides it will have the support of FEMSA Foundation, which will contribute $150 thousand dollars for the development of this new center.
Vidal Garza, FEMSA Foundation’s Director, indicates that: ”FEMSA Foundation is a social investment instrument that supports education, science and technology for the conservation and the sustainable use of water as well as the improvement of the quality of life in communities. Its three main programs are: Sustainable Development of Water Resources, Education, Science and Applied Technology, and Quality of Life”.On the other hand, Olman Segura, Dean of the National University of Costa Rica, explained: “the idea is to take advantage of the experience that the University and other national and international academic institutions have, so that together with the public and private sector, they can all contribute to the research, development of human resources and services for the sustainability of water. As a significant element we emphasize that the Center will have its headquarters in one of the most vulnerable regions of the country in terms of water resources, besides being an ideal geographic location for the communication between the Central American and Caribbean countries”.
The Center will aim the exchange of knowledge between countries and universities in the region through sustained collaboration and the development of courses and workshops (both in classroom and online) intended for state and non-state actors, local governments, civil organizations, international organizations, NGOs, as well as small and medium companies. In addition, the Annual Water Innovation Seminar for Central America will be organized with CAALCA’s support.
Arturo Campos, Director of Corporate Affairs of Coca-Cola FEMSA assures that: “it makes us proud to be part of this project, the sustainability and the improvement in the processes of water care is fundamental for us; as well as being able to contribute with the development of new research and areas of opportunity for Central America”.
The Water Resources Center for Central America and the Caribbean will be located in the facilities of the Solarium Technological Park, located in Liberia, Guanacaste.