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People’s Diplomacy, Inter-Sectoral Water Management and Decision Making

Costa Rica: A Case Study on the Peaceful

Resolution of a Local Water Conflict

During the 1990s, Costa Rica was faced with a water resource conflict that unleashed
a social and political movement with the objective of stopping the construction of a
hydroelectric dam that Costa Rica’s Electricity Institute (ICE) was planning to build in
the Pacuare River basin.

After years of dialogue and negotiation, a referendum was held and the inhabitants of “Reportaje - Actualidad de los proyectos hidroeléctricos en Costa Rica”, Canal 15, Universidad
the Turrialba region voted against hydroelectric projects in the Pacuare River. In 2015,
the government of Costa Rica supported this vote with a presidential decree that will
remain in force for 25 years.

This water resource conflict was resolved due to strong advocacy and the equal de Costa Rica, Era Verde, http://bit.ly/2vlP4DU
participation of multiple actors involved in the issue. The government backed the
community referendum and the ICE played a fundamental role by engaging in an open,
positive dialogue on clean energy and energy processes with the communities aiming
to find common ground between the institutions and the population. The Costa Rica
case study is an invaluable example of a positive outcome to water conflicts at the
national level.

Source: Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace third session field visit, Geneva Water Hub,
Valeria Navas case study.

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