The virtual meeting “International cooperation and investment in water and sanitation infrastructure in Brazil”, held on November 25, discussed the Pará Sanitation Development Project — PRODESAN Lagos, which aims to improve water and sanitation infrastructure in the Belém metropolitan region, i.e., the state capital and surrounding municipalities. Organized by FONPLATA – Development Bank and the New Development Bank (NDB), the event brought together leaders and experts from the water and sanitation sector to discuss the role of international banks in funding this critical sector in Brazil.

The meeting was opened with the remarks of FONPLATA’s Vice President of Operations and Countries, Eliana Dam; the Acting General Manager of the Americas Regional Office of NDB, Marcos Thadeu Abicalil; and the Director of People Management and Logistics of the Sanitation Company of Pará (COSANPA), Paloma Lins.

FONPLATA's Project Specialist, Carolina Benítez, coordinated the first block that addressed the role of international banks in the new sanitation framework and the challenges and opportunities for the water sector. The Attorney General of the State of Pará, Gisleno Augusto Costa da Cruz, presented the BNDES Business Model Study, and FONPLATA's Country Coordinator in Brazil, Oscar Carvallo, and NDB Interim Director General, Marcos Thadeu Abicalil participated in the discussion about investments in the water and sanitation sector.

The second segment, moderated by Ronaldo Cateb Bitar of COSANPA, presented the perspectives of the academy and the executing agency. José Almir Rodriguez Pereira, full professor at the Federal University of Pará, discussed the challenges and opportunities in water and sanitation research in Belém do Pará; COSANPA’s Director of Expansion and Technology, Hélio Brazão e Silva, detailed the actions and programs conducted by the company; and Francisco Osny, associate professor at the Federal University of Ceará, shared experiences and lessons learned from sanitation projects in the region.

Facilitated by Oscar Carvallo, the last segment handled the Integral Sanitation Development Project of Pará — Lagos Phase (PRODESAN PARÁ-LAGOS). The Deputy Coordinator of Works and Projects of COSANPA's PRODESAN PARÁ, Marcos Farias, presented the project financed by the IDB, whereas Carolina Benítez, of FONPLATA, and Ludmila Vidigal, of NDB, presented projects funded by the institutions they represent.

FONPLATA’s Head of Projects and Operations, Carlos Molinas, closed the event thanking the speakers for their contributions and highlighted the importance of international collaboration and investment in the water and sanitation sector to improve the quality of life in Brazil.

SEE the full video of the event.

11/27/2024