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Regional Meeting of National Water Sector Apex Bodies: Leadership in Water Governance

18-21 May 2004
Hanoi, Viet Nam

Post Workshop Statement

Background

National water sector apex bodies have been established in several countries in Asia to guide national water sector reforms to achieve sustainable water management. These bodies are well placed to demonstrate leadership in improving water governance, both in the management of water resources and the delivery of water services.

ADB's water policy "Water for All" highlights the need for better water governance, and emphasizes the role of national water sector apex bodies to achieve this. ADB has to date provided technical assistance for the establishment and/or capacity building of the national water sector apex bodies in Sri Lanka, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

ADB also supports its developing member countries through regional technical assistance projects for Promoting Effective Water Management Policies and Practices, financed from ADB's Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector. One of the components of the TA supports comparative analysis and exchange of experience in water governance in the region, including the effectiveness of national water sector apex bodies, river basin organizations, water utilities, regulatory bodies, and other water institutions.

ADB's program for comparative analysis of national water sector reforms started with the regional meeting of national water sector apex bodies. ADB organized the meeting in collaboration with the Office of the National Water Resources Council in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam.

Objectives

• Exchange information and experience on the work of national water sector apex bodies in the region
• Identify priority needs and opportunities for networking, capacity building, and research among the apex bodies

Features

The first two days of the meeting were devoted to discussion and networking. This was followed by a two-day field trip.

Participants

Participants to the meeting included:

• Water agency representatives from countries with established national water sector apex bodies - Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lank, Thailand and Viet Nam attended
• Water agency representatives from countries without national water sector apex bodies - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan
• Representatives from knowledge partners - International Water Management Institute, Social Weather Stations of Philippines, Water Aid
• Resource people from the Asian Development Bank
• Observers from Vietnam National Mekong Committee, Mekong River Commission, Vietnam Water partnership and Agence Francaise de Developpement

Venue

The meeting was held at the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel. Contact details are as follows:

Related Documents

• Daily Highlights
• List of Participants [PDF: 20Kb | 6 Pages]
• Participants Evaluation [PDF: 38Kb | 6 Pages]
• Program
• Speeches, Papers and Presentations
• Field Visit Guide [PDF: 247Kb | 2 Pages]

Contact

Ellen Pascua
Water Policy Adviser
E-mail: epascua@adb.org