Leaders across the Caribbean region have taken a decisive step forward in addressing mounting water security challenges by formally adopting the Water Declaration of Grand Anse 2026, a landmark regional agreement that reaffirms collective commitments to strengthening water access, upgrading wastewater management, and boosting climate resilience across all Caribbean island and coastal nations.
The declaration was approved during the 22nd High-Level Forum for Caribbean Ministers Responsible for Water and Wastewater, which convened alongside the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition in Grand Anse, Grenada. Speaking at the opening of the forum, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who also holds the portfolio for Public Utilities, emphasized that water security must be understood as a foundational pillar of nearly every critical sector for Caribbean prosperity.
“We take water for granted, yet it is at the heart of everything we do,” Mitchell said. He noted that without robust water security, regional goals for food security, public health, sustained economic growth, environmental protection, and climate adaptation cannot be achieved. Mitchell highlighted that climate change has accelerated negative impacts on Caribbean water resources, bringing more frequent and severe droughts, extreme flooding, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, and strain on outdated water infrastructure. To counter these threats, he pushed for expanded reforestation, targeted watershed protection, and strategic long-term investments in upgraded water infrastructure to ensure sustainable supplies for future generations.
Running under the theme “From Declaration to Delivery,” the 2026 agreement marks a deliberate shift from incremental policy pledges to accelerated, coordinated regional action focused on delivering measurable, tangible results. The declaration outlines 11 core binding commitments for member nations, including full implementation of the Regional Strategic Action Plan for the Water Sector in the Caribbean (RSAP-2026); upgrading climate-resilient water and wastewater infrastructure; improving drought preparedness, flood management and early warning systems; expanding universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and wastewater services; establishing a dedicated Caribbean Water Investment Pipeline to advance high-priority regional projects; strengthening disaster preparedness and financial resilience for water utilities; improving water governance and regulatory frameworks; accelerating initiatives to reduce non-revenue water; advancing digital transformation and innovation across the water sector; and promoting unified regional cooperation to advance collective water security goals.
In addition to domestic commitments, ministers issued a regional call to action, urging both regional and international development partners to expand support for project preparation, climate financing, technical assistance, capacity-building, and direct investment in critical water and wastewater infrastructure, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that face disproportionate climate and water security risks. The declaration also formalizes the Caribbean region’s plan to elevate its water priorities at key global forums, including the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and the 2027 Second Islands Water Congress.
The Water Declaration of Grand Anse 2026 builds on successive regional commitments outlined in the 2023 Georgetown Declaration, 2024 Port of Spain Declaration, and 2025 San Pedro Declaration, establishing a clear framework for advancing implementation, accountability, and sustainable development across the entire Caribbean water sector. “The Water Declaration of Grand Anse 2026 marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to secure a resilient and sustainable water future for the Caribbean,” Prime Minister Mitchell said. “Through strengthened partnerships, strategic investment, and coordinated action, we are committed to transforming our shared vision into measurable outcomes that benefit all Caribbean people.”