1. Regional Water Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Zones in Latin America and the Caribbean: Working on climate services and water security in drylands Gabriel Mancilla, Executive Director - Brussels, February 2016 -

2. CAZALAC was conceived as an organization to coordinate / articulate scientific and technological actions aimed at attaining sustainable water management in arid and semi-arid zones in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2006, CAZALAC was recognized as an UNESCO category II Center.

4. www.cazalac.org General Information Annual Budget 160.000 USD Staff 4 full-time positions Location La Serena, Chile. Web Site www.cazalac.org CAZALAC

5. www.cazalac.org Research topics Areas 1.Efficient use of water. 2.Solutions for drinking water. 3.Hydro-climatic variability and risks. 4.Adaptability and innovation for the future 5.Dissemination and training

6. Water-Use Efficiency in Coquimbo Region (2005-2006) 1. Efficient use of water Some important projects and activites Catchment Management and Mining Impacts in Arid and Semi-Arid South America (2010-11). 2014- 2030 Strategy for Water Resources Use in Coquimbo Region (2014-2015). Goal: Analysis and planning of actions to achieve the balance between supply and demand for water, in order to increase water security.

7. Seawater Desalination by Inverse Osmosis Technique and Photovoltaic Energy, for Drinking Water Supply in Isla Damas (2011-2012). 2. Solutions for drinking water Some important projects and activites Analyzing Energy Solutions Options for Rural Drinking Water Systems in Coquimbo Region (2012-2013). Innovative Technical Solutions for Drinking Water Supply Systems of Rural Areas (2015-2016) Goal: Increase water security in rural areas.

8. Climatic risks: Droughts in Chile and Latin America and the Caribbean (From 2010) 3. Hydro-climatic variability and risks Some important projects and activites Map for Arid Zones of Latin America an the Caribbean (2009-2010) Hydro-climatic variability in LAC (From 2013) Agroclimatic Observatory (From 2013) Goal: Use climate and hydrological data to create computer algorithms and prediction tools for proper risk preparedness

9. EUROCLIMA (From 2012) 4. Adaptability and innovation for the future Some important projects and activites 2014- 2030 Strategy for Water Resources Use in Coquimbo Region (2014-2015). Groundwater artificial recharge cooperation with IMTA (Mexican Water Technology Institute) (From 2014) Accelerated hydroponic green fodder with a low water consumption in Limari Province (2015-2017). Goal: Test technologies, create awareness and reach agreements to adapt to climate change conditions.

10. 5. Dissemination and training Some important projects and activites Statistics 2003 - 2015 Books, ISI articles18 Thesis / Technical notes10 Technical reports30+ Seminars coordinated by the center15 Training courses and workshops56 Internships33 Presentations in technical events150+-

11. Proposed activities for the future Proposal / Project Objectives related G-WADI Water Security CliMWaR- LAC 1. Workshop: Fostering the Climate Data Library. Training experts from meteorological services so they can implement CDL in their countries. CAZALAC will coordinate and provide support. XXX 2. Workshop and seminar: Groundwater recharge in LAC. Exchange knowledge and experience between experts in aquifer recharge in LAC. To build capacities in this area. Starting the implementation of a groundwater program in LAC, with pilot areas. CAZALAC will make a joint coordination of the events. XXX 3. Seminar: Water harvesting in LAC. To know successful experiences in water harvesting in dry areas of LAC. CAZALAC will coordinate the activity. XXX 4. Symposium: Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones. Intended to promote the dialogue between the scientific community, the user community and policy makers, related to water management in arid and semi- arid zones. CAZALAC will coordinate the event and will be responsible for editing a book with the contribution of the participants. XXX

12. Proposed activities for the future (continued) Proposal / Project Objectives related G-WADI Water Security CliMWaR- LAC 5. Second International Expert Symposium “Coping with Droughts”. This symposium will be focused in: a.Drought monitoring and early warning capacities linked to vulnerability assessment and drought preparedness policies. b.Methodologies to manage water resources and water security in LAC countries. CAZALAC will perform a joint coordination of the event. XXX 6. Book: “Drought Advances”: This publication will summarize the policies and methodologies used in each LAC country to face droughts, especially to manage water in LAC. CAZALAC will coordinate the publication. Each country will contribute with a small chapter asked to the experts attending to the Symposium “Coping with droughts”. XXX

13. Proposed activities for the future (continued) Proposal / Project Objectives related G-WADI Water Security CliMWaR- LAC 7. Isotopes Forum. Promoting a platform (web-based) where experts working with isotopes can discuss ideas related to that topic. XXX 8. Seminars: Soil and water in climate change scenarios CAZALAC will coordinate a series seminars in diverse LAC countries regarding soil-water conservation and management in the climate change scenario. Seminars will be on soil-water relationship (physical, chemical and biological) and risk linkage; soil conservation techniques for water quality ; soil and water modelling for predicting climate effects. XXX 9. Drought Atlas. A series of three Drought Atlas will be published. The Drought Atlas for Chile is soon to be published by CAZALAC and UNESCO (and support from the Government of Flanders and the Water Directorate of Chile). In 2016 will be also published the Drought Atlas for LAC. Furthermore, the Mid-summer Drought Atlas for Cuba is expected to be achieved. XXX

14. Proposed activities for the future (continued) Proposal / Project Objectives related G-WADI Water Security CliMWaR- LAC 10. Implementation of a methodological framework for drought vulnerability assessment in Chile. CAZALAC will continue working on this initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, and possibly expanding its actions to other countries of LAC, by assessments. XXX 11. Canícula. CAZALAC will continue leading the study of the canícula in LAC. XXX 12. Diploma Program: “Climate Change and Drought” Capacity building and certified skills for locally accomplishing the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification). XXX