Page 46 - IB August 2024

Water and Sanitation

WATER: A CONNECTOR, NOT A

SECTOR

By Kite Pareti meetings in September.
Since convening in Palau last year, Sefo-Leau says the PWWA
Pacific water expert, Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau says the Pacific has increased its presence at international fora such as the
region is “far from achieving” the goal of having universal World Water Forum and the Ozwater International Session.
access to water and sanitation by 2030 or SDG6. The PWWA has a twinning capacity building program with
“I feel that there is something very wrong in our collective the Australian Water Association - the Asset Management
development agenda if half of the population in the Pacific Training Program with the Pacific Regional Infrastructure
Islands do not have basic access to safe water,” says Facility, supported by Apopo NZ, as well as a capacity building
Sefo-Leau, the CEO of the Pacific Water and Wastewater program supported by MFAT for three utilities, which is also
Association (PWWA). progressing well, she said.
As a regional advocate for water diplomacy, Sefo-Leau “These programs contribute to ensuring PWWA is financially
emphasises that “water should be recognised as the top viable as an Association and attract support and assistance
priority in every country’s from its partners.
development agenda, Funding for the Young
and in every international Water is not a sector. It is Water Professionals
partner’s agenda for a connector that affects program was secured for
climate change.” every single sector. this financial year and
She says actions should Without water, there is assurance of support of
include “increased no life. Without water, its partners towards the
investment in water every biodiversity dies. annual conference and
infrastructure to make Without water, we cannot Secretariat were crucial in
sure we have 100% wash our hands. Water is this respect,” she added.
universal access; building a basic human right. In Japan recently, the
capacities in water and Association participated
sanitation; improving PWWA CEO, Pitolau Lusia in a discussion at the 10th
Sefo-Leau at OzWater24.
information, whether it Pacific Islands Leaders
be scientific knowledge Meeting on strengthening
or operational performance information provided to leaders Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
in government, development partner organisations or By bringing together government officials, private sector
communities to inform decision making.” representatives, and development partners, Sefo-Leau says
She noted: “Water is not a sector. It is a connector that the event aimed to “foster collaborative efforts and share
affects every single sector. Without water, there is no life. best practices that can drive sustainable development in the
Without water, every biodiversity dies. Without water, we Pacific region.”
cannot wash our hands. Water is a basic human right. Public-Private Partnerships can be a catalyst for sustainable
“Building awareness that water, along with all it economic growth and resilient infrastructure development
encompasses and supports, is a climate resilience issue that in the Pacific that “bring best practices, cost efficiencies,
should not be taken for granted any longer is critical,” she risk sharing, and innovative funding models to participating
added. partners,” Sefo-Leau said.
The 8th Pacific Water Ministers Forum and the 15th Pacific “Public utilities and governments need to recognise that
Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo in the Cook to enter into a PPP, utilities have to be prepared to move
Islands aims to address these challenges. towards commercial viability and/or innovative financial
The growing threat of climate change to Pacific people’s models. PPPs are not for every utility, especially the small
livelihoods, as well as the growing shortage of skilled labour utilities, although the concept of a PPP is still a relevant goal
and the geopolitical interest in the region are some themes to pursue for these smaller utilities,” she added.
that Pacific leaders will further explore at both annual

46 Islands Business, August 2024