Challenges for German development cooperation in the water sector

Abstract

Water is key to poverty reduction and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those related to health and environmental sustainability. However, 1.1 billion people continue to lack access to safe drinking water, 2.6 billion remain without access to sanitation facilities. Germany is the third biggest bilateral donors in the water sector with regional foci in the Middle East and Africa. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and its implementing agencies are tackling six main challenges to further improve their water sector activities: (1) mainstreaming the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); (2) addressing water management in agriculture; (3) taking seriously questions of water governance and water politics; (4) prioritizing waste water management, sanitation and hygiene; (5) ensuring the sustainability of large-scale hydro-infrastructure; as well as (6) increasing funds for development cooperation in the water sector through innovative funding mechanisms. The probable re-organisation of BMZ's implementing agencies would significantly contribute to these efforts. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008.