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Lessons from ADB Water Week, Part 1
Special feature: Implementing ADB's Water Policy
Reviewing ADB's water policy implementation
ADB's Water Sector Committee completed an interim review of the implementation of ADB's Water Policy Water for All. The review assessed how the policy has been integrated in ADB's water operations. The results showed encouraging progress in improving water services, conservation, participation, and water governance. Modest progress was shown in introducing integrated water resource management, and in improving regional cooperation. Limited progress was made in promoting a national focus on water sector reforms.
Exemplary or good practice in implementing the water policy was shown in 54% of water loans but only in 20% of technical assistance projects.
The review highlighted the need for a revision in the policy provision for large water resources projects that involve dams, to reflect better how ADB can help to ensure the participation of stakeholders in project preparation. The need for such a revision is now under consideration.
A comprehensive review of ADB's Water Policy implementation is scheduled for 2005. Comments on the interim review are welcome and will be used in the preparation of the comprehensive review.
Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector:
making an impact on water operations
ADB's Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector has contributed significantly to ADB's water policy implementation, according to a survey among ADB's Water Sector Committee on the impact of the Fund. The survey conducted as part of the interim review of water policy implementation.
Established in 2001 with an initial contribution from the Government of the Netherlands, the Fund has provided a strategic framework and financial support for improving water awareness, knowledge management, and capacity building as part of ADB's water operations. It has also enabled ADB to finance pilot and demonstration activities, and to improve networking and regional initiatives in support of the water policy.
Lessons from ADB Water Week 2004, Part 1
Digest of keynotes
ADB Water Week featured four eminent keynote speakers. Michel Camdessus, chair of the World Panel on Financing Water Infrastructure, called for more commitment to increase water financing, and warned that if stakeholders do not work together, the 2015 MDG targets will not be met. Erna Witoelar, UN Special Ambassador on the MDGs, stressed that 'business as usual' will not work if water is to be available to the one in three persons in Asia who lacks adequate water quality and access. Geert van der Linden, ADB Vice President, underlined the need for better leadership - political, managerial, civil - as a central driver of change. Ravi Narayanan, Director of WaterAid, a UK-based international NGO, underscored the absence of magic solutions to water problems, and advocated working for incremental changes, especially through partnerships, participation, governance and finance."
Participants reflect on ADB Water Week
With participation of more than 350 stakeholders from government agencies, financing institutions, water service providers, media, and civil society organizations, ADB Water Week featured wide ranging discussions on the theme of Water for the Poor - Setting the Rules and Finding the Money. Participants feedback underlined the need to:
- Simplify and streamline project preparation to match policies with implementation.
- Pursue decentralization and recognize that this means assisting local governments and NGOs gain the capacity to address water services and irrigation issues.
- Enlist support from the media and NGOs in reforming water services.
Read more of the Participants' Reflections.
Beyond Water Week: participants' commitment to action
Finding the money to help the poor was uppermost in participants' minds during ADB Water Week. When asked to prioritize follow-up actions that can move the water agenda forward to benefit the poor, many participants focused on actions to improve water financing, in particular to:
- Provide accessible finance for the poor
- Provide finance to the private sector
- Decentralize financing
- Introduce more flexible financing.
Information, integrated water resources management, and partnerships were also identified as key action areas. ADB will consider these suggestions as part of its water operations.
Top- Water Champions:
- Network of Asian River Basin Organizations
- Charter [PDF]
- New Members [ PDF ]
- Action Plan
| 1-3 July | 1st African Development Bank Water Week (Tunis)
Discussions at this event will be around the African Water Facility, Nile Basin Initiative and financing trans-boundary water development. Prior to the Water Week, a coordination meeting between the MDBs - Netherlands Water Partnership Programs will also take place on 30 June. |
| 12-16 July | South
East Asia Water Utilities Network Executive Committee and
Planning Meeting (Hanoi, Viet Nam)
The meeting will further define the directions and activities of SEAWUN for the year. |
| 13 - 16 July | 3rd South Asia Water Forum (SAWAF-III) (Dhaka,
Bangladesh)
The focus will be on how to achieve the targets set by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and meeting the water related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). |
| 26 July - 9 August | Training
Program on IWRM and Strengthening of River Basin Committees (Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand)
The training program will strengthen river basin committees and enable water professionals in the region to integrate IWRM concepts into the planning process |
| 6 June | ADB National Media Workshop on Water - Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
A day-long media workshop on water issues will be held on 6 June, enabling journalists to take what they have learned out of the workshop and utilize them while attending the Malaysian Water Week. |
| 18-21 May | Regional Meeting of National Water Sector Apex Bodies (ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines)
The ADB has organized its 2nd Water Week to stimulate knowledge development in the water sector, particularly on the issue of water for the poor. The theme for the 2004 ADB Water Week is "Water for the Poor: Setting the Rules and Finding the Money." |
| 24-26 February | First General Meeting of the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) (Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
The Network was officially launched on 20 November 2003 at the Inception Meeting held during the 1st South East Asian Water Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. During this meeting, it was agreed that a general meeting to define the policy and institutional arrangements for NARBO be held in February 2004. |
| 26-30 January | ADB Water Week 2004 (ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines)
The ADB has organized its 2nd Water Week to stimulate knowledge development in the water sector, particularly on the issue of water for the poor. The theme for the 2004 ADB Water Week is "Water for the Poor: Setting the Rules and Finding the Money." |
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