Mexico: Establishing effective and democratic water and sanitation (W&S) management in Mexico to support the achievement of the MDGs

The aim of this Joint Programme was to improve the integrated management of water in peri-urban and rural areas of Mexico to help achieve the MDGs with regard to water and sanitation (W&S), and to combat poverty from the standpoint of environmental sustainability and gender equality. The programme contributed to achieving MDGs 1, 3 and 7 by diminishing inequalities in accessing an essential resource, particularly for women and the poor.

The programme sought to enhance a culture of appropriate water use and its more efficient and effective management in order to reduce poverty, improve health and mitigate vulnerability to hydrometeorological disasters.

This was accomplished through the diffusion of appropriate technologies, better practices and social organization frameworks and techniques for the integrated use of W&S with a basin-based focus.

The programme led to increased democratic governance, transparency and the participation of civil society in the integral management of W&S.

This Joint Programme was launched in December 2008 and was closed in May 2012.