1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit
From Common Grounds to Shared Commitments
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“Strong leadership is critical for ensuring water security and water governance in the Asia and Pacific,” says Haruhiko Kuroda, President of Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the recently concluded 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Beppu, Japan. And Asian leaders who participated in the event heeded his call as they committed to a set of targets that, if met, could radically transform the lives of more than 2 billion Asians. This issue features the leaders’ commitments and ADB’s contributions towards reaching these targets. It also highlights new knowledge on the prospects of the region's water resources.
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1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit Calls for Greater Commitments
Leaders of 36 countries met last December at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit to address water issues hampering the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. At the end of the Summit, they agreed to accord the highest priority to water and sanitation in their economic and development plans and work towards universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation by 2025. How will the countries fare in terms of fulfilling these bold commitments? |
New ADB report on future Asian water development cautiously optimistic
Asian countries should not experience a water crisis in the future—the region has enough knowledge, technology, and expertise to solve existing and future water problems. But if a crisis materializes, then poor water management more than water scarcity would likely be the cause, says the Asian Water Development Outlook 2007. This new report commissioned by the Asian Development Bank for the Summit provides an authoritative look on the future of Asia’s water resources. |
Messages from Beppu: Is Water Hotter Now?
What’s next after the Asia-Pacific Water Summit? Ten heads of state, 31 ministers, and representatives from 36 countries committed to a set of targets, but funding for these remain a question. Too, stakeholders need to master the art of collaboration and knowledge exchange if they are to find unique solutions to their common problems. ADB is poised to help these efforts, beginning with a wave of projects on Integrated Water Resources Management, disaster risk reduction, and knowledge management. |
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| News |
East Asian Ministers Convene for Sanitation and Hygiene
Ministers and leading professionals from 15 East Asian countries met in Beppu, Japan on 29 November-1 December to discuss strategies for increasing investments in sanitation and hygiene. They adopted a joint declaration to implement effective national policies, programs, and partnerships, and explored options for a regional process designed to maintain the spotlight on sanitation and hygiene. |
Small Grants Fund New Water Pilot Projects
Two new water pilot projects will provide sanitation solutions for Thailand and Viet Nam. Two others will test approaches to integrated water resources management in Cambodia and Nepal. Financed by ADB’s Pilot and Demonstration Activities program, these projects are expected to achieve innovative results within a year, each with only a $50,000 fund. |
Establishment of New Water Utility Network in Central Asia
Water utilities from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan agreed to form the Central Asian and South Caucasus Water Utilities Association. In an Almaty conference last 12-13 November, the utilities agreed on the objectives and activities of the network, including performance benchmarking, twinning, and capacity development. |
ADB Water Utility Benchmarking Initiatives in Full Swing
The South Asian Water Utilities Network’s benchmarking program kicked off with a workshop that introduced 15 utilities from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to the benchmarking process. All 15 utilities agreed to embark on performance benchmarking. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian Water Utilities Network is now finalizing its 2nd water utilities data book containing performance benchmarking data from 40 water utilities, while the 2007 Benchmarking and Data Book of Water Utilities in India is now online. |
Mayors Champion Better Sanitation in Asia
Mayors of Asian cities will lead the improvement of sanitation in the region with a slew of proposed projects for the 2008 International Year of Sanitation. This was the conclusion of a 3-day International Seminar on Sanitation held at ADB on 15-16 November. Meanwhile, ADB and CITYNET, joint organizers of the seminar, will continue their partnership with the preparation of a sanitation data book linked to performance benchmarking. |
Water Financing Program in Indonesia Moves Forward
Over 100 senior officials from Indonesia met with an ADB team last November to identify specific projects to be included in ADB’s 2008-2010 pipeline. Indonesia’s indicative investment plan covers rural and urban water supply as well as irrigation and basin management. ADB will also help in reforms and capacity development. |
Armenia: ADB Loans $36M to Improve Water Supply, Sanitation
Sustainable water supply and sanitation services will reach 16 towns and 125 villages in seven provinces in Armenia through a $36M ADB loan. ADB’s Shakeel Khan says, “The project will improve public health and the environment for about 576,000 people living in the project towns and villages, about 25% of whom live below the poverty line.” |
Palau: Japan and ADB to Boost Water Sector Development
With technical assistance from ADB and a $700,000 grant from Japan, Palau will be provided secure, reliable, affordable, and badly-needed water supply. ADB’s Stephen Blaik says, “The project will contribute to sustainable management of the national water supply system and improved reliability and security of the water supply in the project area.” |
People’s Republic of China: $100M ADB Loan to Address City Pollution in Jilin Province
A $100M ADB loan will reduce water pollution, protect water resources, and address water shortages in Changchun and Yanji—important cities along the Songhua River basin in Jilin province. ADB’s Sangay Penjor says, “The project will improve the environment and living conditions of 3.6 million urban residents in Changchun and Yanji.” |
| Water Actions |
Singapore: Starting Young in Water Resources Conservation
Asia Water Wire contributor Tharuka Prematillake writes about how youth volunteers in Singapore show their concern for the environment by taking part in a river clean-up program pioneered by the Waterways Watch Society (WWS), a special volunteer group. WSS also organizes educational campaigns and eco-camps to raise water awareness among children. But can Singapore’s youth influence their elders to do the same? |
Pakistan: Orangi Residents Solve Sanitation Woes
Asia Water Wire contributor Irfan Shahzad writes about how, with a new sewerage system in place, residents in Karachi’s Orangi slum area no longer endure filthy surroundings. At the forefront of development projects is the Orangi Pilot Project, a civil society organization that initiated sanitation projects in the settlement in the 1980s. What obstacles and successes has it run into over the years? |
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14-15 January
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Water Management 2008 Exhibition and Conference
(Mumbai, India)
Will feature the latest products and technologies in solving various water issues, with focus on those that operate in efficient and environmentally-friendly ways. |
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16-18 January
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Water Summit Asia 2008 (Beijing, China)
Will focus on the challenges brought about by the rise of mega-cities, and the range of solutions that can address them. |
| 6-8 February |
3rd International Conference on Water Quality Management (Nagpur, India)
Will examine issues affecting the water quality management and discuss the application of modern techniques such as remote sensing and GIS. |
| 20-22 February
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General Meeting of the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) (Solo, Indonesia)
Will learn lessons from the Bengawan Solo river basin and workshops on integrated water resources management.
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