The workshop was organized by the Environment and Development Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, Regional Delegation for Scientific and Technical Cooperation for the Southern Cone. It took place from 11 to 13 December 1997 at ECLAC headquarters. The central objective of the meeting was to analyse, from the legal, institutional and financial viewpoints, the creation and operation of water authorities and agencies at the river basin level. The expected outcome was to share and systematize knowledge regarding successful experiences in the creation and operation of such bodies, so that they might be reproduced elsewhere in the region. Efforts were also made to reach agreements for elaborating technical specifications and designing procedures to create and operate such entities. This subject is covered by the agreements contained in chapter 18 of Agenda 21. Those taking part in the workshop on an individual basis included experts from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Also taking part were representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, as members of the Regional Delegation for Scientific and Technical Cooperation for the Southern Cone.