Dams and Development Workshop

Workshop: Dams and Development
19-20 February 2001

Workshop Results

The Workshop closed on Tuesday 20 February 2001, Draft Minutes were circulated immediately to the 70 delegates and their comments incorporated into the finalized minutes.

This Workshop has been ADB's first step in collaboration with WCD in disseminating the Study findings in Asia,
The general view was that the countries needed more time to study the implications of the Report's Recommendations,
Several delegates were critical of the recommendations stating that to implement them would be very costly and lead to long delays
Some misconceptions were evident about what the report actually says. In fact:
- power of veto by any group is nowhere recommended
- the role of the State as final arbitrator remains intact
- the recommendations are statements of good practice for countries to adopt at their own pace.
There was some support for in-country discussion workshops to be arranged by ADB to further consider what are the next steps to be taken on a country by country basis.
The deputy Director of ADB's Infrastructure, Energy and Financial Sectors (West) advised the Workshop that he would report the findings to the Third WCD Forum meeting held in South Africa on 24 to 26 February
ADB is currently in the process of reviewing the WCD recommendations in the light of its existing policies.

Read the Summary of Proceedings[ PDF ]

View Papers and Presentations [ PDF ]

Background

The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was initiated by the World Bank and World Conservation Union (IUCN) in May 1998. Funding has been from over 50 different sources to ensure impartiality.

WCDs final report "Dams and Development" was launched in November 2000. The 12 Commissioners represent a wide range of opinions, i.e. from dam owners and contractors, to environmental and social activists. WCD dissolved itself at the end of 2000, but the secretariat will exist until March 2001 to disseminate the WCD findings.

ADB's Participation

Findings from ADB's study of four large dam projects in the Asian region (China PCR, Lao PDR, Philippines and Sri Lanka) were included in the WCD knowledge base. As a member of the WCD Forum, ADB funded the 4th Regional Consultation in Hanoi in February 2000. ADB participated in the thematic reviews as part of the WCD investigation. The Mekong River, one of the largest in Asia with six riparian countries, is a bountiful resource. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is of particular concern to ADB

WCD Findings

Many of the recommendations are applicable to large infrastructure projects in addition to dams.
All 12 commissioners endorsed the conclusions.
Previous cost-benefit analysis has too often resulted in projects with negative impacts that have not been addressed.
Dams remain a legitimate option to achieve development objectives.
Future decision making should be based on a "rights and risks" assessment of all stakeholders.

Workshop objectives

To increase awareness of the WCD findings amongst decision-makers in the region.
To demonstrate ADB's support for the WCD's work.
To obtain feedback from representatives of ADB's Developing Member Countries on WCD's proposals.
To identify problems associated with implementation of the "rights and risks" approach and
To propose solutions through structured discussion groups.

Presenters

The workshop will be led by two WCD Commissioners: , Chief Executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in Australia, and Judy Henderson, former Chairperson of Oxfam International and a Board member of the Environment Protection Agency of NSW, Australia.
Workshop facilitators will be drawn from the WCD secretariat, the ADB Study's Panel of Experts and the Study's Consultants from Thailand.

Workshop Documents

Draft Agenda (Updated 16 February 2001)
ADB President's Letter of Support for the WCD Report

Papers and Presentations

These papers were presented and formed as the basis for discussion in the breakout groups:

News and Events

Workshop: Dams and Development 19-20 February 2001