The Minister of the Environment, Cristina Narbona, participated in the closing day of the IV World Water Forum, with a speech at the ministerial discussion table “Decentralization processes, governance and institutions to promote the participation of all actors”.

In her speech, Cristina Narbona has transferred the Spanish experience in water resources management over the last two years. The Minister highlighted the profound reorientation of the water policy undertaken, in the broader context of a political approach that has been called “the socialism of the citizens”. In addition, he pointed out that Spain has gone from a very centralised scheme in terms of decision-making on water to one based on co-responsibility that incorporates regional governments and city councils.

Cristina Narbona stressed that social actors who until now had no relevance in water policy in Spain are being incorporated, referring specifically to environmental organizations and users of water for economic activity. On the other hand, she was deeply satisfied with the role that Spain has played throughout the development of the IV World Water Forum.