Brazil and Portugal sign cooperation agreements for water management and sanitation

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Signed on Monday, November 8, in Lisbon, the memorandum of understanding foresees cooperation in the improvement of water management and sanitation legislation, institutional development and governance systems, training of agents involved, economic and financial sustainability of the sector’s initiatives, integrated management of water resources, and the promotion of advances in water supply and sanitation.

During the ceremony, the Portuguese Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action Secretary of State for the Environment Inês dos Santos Costa, highlighted the example of the European country, which achieved the universalization of sanitation and water supply from the structuring of a safe business environment for private investors.

The so-called “Portuguese miracle” allowed the country to reach indices close to 99% of coverage with treated water and sewage, contributing to the health of the population and environmental preservation.

“I am very happy to see this agreement being signed with a focus on expanding cooperation between our countries, providing sanitation, hygiene, and water to all, with social, environmental, and governance criteria as the focus of our actions,” the Secretary said.

Minister of Regional Development Rogério Marinho highlighted the advances achieved by the Brazilian government with the improvement of legal security for investors since the approval of the New Legal Framework for Sanitation, enacted in July 2020.

“In this new legislation’s first year in force, the auctions held have already guaranteed a volume of private investments equivalent to the amount contributed in 10 years by the federal, state, and municipal governments. These partnerships are seeking to evolve, taking sanitation and dignity to the people, but also guaranteeing a return to investors. We believe there are great opportunities for Portuguese companies to be partners in this transformation,” Marinho said.

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary for Internationalization Eurico Brilhante reaffirmed the Portuguese interest in the partnership with Brazil, establishing the exchange of information, and also the increasing involvement of Portuguese companies in structuring investments in the country.

AGREEMENTS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR

During the ceremony, activity programs were signed with entities representing companies and institutions linked to the water, sewage and solid waste sectors in Portugal. The agreements aim to improve the infrastructure project design and the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria, ensuring sustainability to infrastructure projects and, mainly, attracting new private investments in these strategic areas.