Pacific water expert, Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau says the Pacific region is “far from achieving” the goal of having universal access to water and sanitation by 2030 or SDG6.
“I feel that there is something very wrong in our collective development agenda if half of the population in the Pacific Islands do not have basic access to safe water,” says Sefo-Leau, the CEO of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA).
As a regional advocate for water diplomacy, Sefo-Leau emphasises that “water should be recognised as the top priority in every country’s development agenda, and in every international partner’s agenda for climate change.”
She says actions should include “increased investment in water infrastructure to make sure we have 100% universal access; building capacities in water and sanitation; improving information, whether it be scientific knowledge or operational performance information provided to leaders in government, development partner organisations or communities to inform decision making.”
She noted: “Water is not a sector. It is a connector that affects every single sector. Without water, there is no life.
Without water, every biodiversity dies. Without water, we cannot wash our hands. Water is a basic human right.
“Building awareness that water, along with all it encompasses and supports, is a climate resilience issue that should not be taken for granted any longer is critical,” she added.
The 8th Pacific Water Ministers Forum and the 15th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo in the Cook Islands aims to address these challenges.
The growing threat of climate change to Pacific people’s livelihoods, as well as the growing shortage of skilled labour and the geopolitical interest in the region are some themes that Pacific leaders will further explore at both annual meetings in September.
Since convening in Palau last year, Sefo-Leau says the PWWA has increased its presence at international fora such as the World Water Forum and the Ozwater International Session.
The PWWA has a twinning capacity building program with the Australian Water Association – the Asset Management Training Program with the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility, supported by Apopo NZ, as well as a capacity building program supported by MFAT for three utilities, which is also progressing well, she said.
“These programs contribute to ensuring PWWA is financially viable as an Association and attract support and assistance from its partners. Funding for the Young Water Professionals program was secured for this financial year and assurance of support of its partners towards the annual conference and Secretariat were crucial in this respect,” she added.
In Japan recently, the Association participated in a discussion at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting on strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
By bringing together government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners, Sefo-Leau says the event aimed to “foster collaborative efforts and share best practices that can drive sustainable development in the Pacific region.”
Public-Private Partnerships can be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and resilient infrastructure development in the Pacific that “bring best practices, cost efficiencies, risk sharing, and innovative funding models to participating partners,” Sefo-Leau said.
“Public utilities and governments need to recognise that to enter into a PPP, utilities have to be prepared to move towards commercial viability and/or innovative financial models. PPPs are not for every utility, especially the small utilities, although the concept of a PPP is still a relevant goal to pursue for these smaller utilities,” she added.
