The role of the Organization of American States.

The Organization of American States (OAS) governed by the 34 countries of the Americas is committed to the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by half the number of people without access to clean water and adequate sanitation by 2015. The OAS also shares the emerging consensus that this challenge will have to be largely met in our cities where most people live consume water and generate waste. The OASs Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment (USDE) has adopted the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as a tool to mitigate the contamination and degradation of watersheds especially those that contribute to the water supply of cities in the Americas. The USDE has focused its efforts on encouraging the adoption of water resources management policies and efficient development of trans-boundary basins by providing technical support to help member countries implement strategic action plans and by promoting the exchange of information and expertise through the Inter-American Water Resources Network (IWRN). (excerpt)