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p. 5 of 13 BACK | NEXT I. The Context II. The Need For a Comprehensive Water Policy III. The Policy A. An Overview B. National Policies and Reforms C. Water Resource Management D. Improving Water Services E. Conserving Water F. Promoting Regional Cooperation G. Fostering Participation H. Improving Governance IV. The Policy and ADB's Poverty Reduction Strategy V. Getting the Policy to Work

Water For All: The Water Policy of the Asian Development Bank : III. The Policy

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B. National Policies and Reforms

25. Policies. Consistent with the adoption of Agenda 21 in 1992,¹¹ ADB will support the DMCs in ensuring that water projects are guided by effective national water policies that link water to national development goals and protection of the environment. While no single, common policy can serve as a model for all, it is clear that national water policies should address both resource management and service delivery aspects. ADB will help develop comprehensive water policies in the DMCs. Where necessary, ADB will help the DMCs review existing policies and bring them in line with good international practice. Assistance for undertaking water sector assessments will be provided to ensure that policy formulation and sector reforms are well grounded.

26. Reforms. Effective water policy will involve several reforms. Because project planning and implementation are commonly fragmented among many institutions, ADB will support the optimization of agency functions for planning and implementation. It will also focus on the development of effective cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms, such as a neutral sector apex body that can oversee the policy formulation and sector reform process. The structure and tasks of the apex body will evolve with the reform process. Regulatory capacities will be developed over time. Support will be provided for the review and revision of water legislation particularly in the areas of water rights and allocation among competing uses, water quality standards, groundwater use, demand management, resource conservation, private participation, and institutional responsibilities for water sector functions at national, regional or basin, local, and community levels. Box 2 shows how some DMCs are managing water sector reform.

27. Targets. Given the vital relationship of water to several development challenges, targets have often been set at international fora or by individual DMCs. For instance, the Second World Water Forum at The Hague in March 2000 discussed a number of indicative targets. These include

1. the proportion of people without sustainable access to adequate quantities of affordable and safe water reduced by half by 2015;

2. the proportion of people without access to hygienic sanitation facilities reduced by half by 2015;

3. national standards to ensure the health of freshwater ecosystems established in all countries by 2005, and programs to improve the health of freshwater ecosystems implemented by 2015;

4. water productivity for food production from rainfed and irrigated farming is increased by 30 percent by 2015;

5. cooperation mechanisms between riparian states for all major river basins are developed and strengthened by 2005, and subsequent shared water agreements are formulated by 2015; and

6. the economic value of water is recognized and reflected in national policies and strategies by 2005 and mechanisms established by 2015 to facilitate full cost pricing for water services where guarantees for the poor exist.

These targets reflect the common goal of the forum, namely, to provide water security in the 21st century. ADB will assist the DMCs in developing and adopting water action agendas that have clearly defined objectives and milestones linked to resources (para. 68).

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