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p. 19 of 19 BACK | NEXT Emerging Global Water Issues Water Quality, Pollution, and the Environment A Double-Edged Sword: Flood and Droughts Geographical Variability in Water Resources Shared Waters Heightened Awareness of Water Issues Elements of a Water Strategy Imperatives for Wise Water Management ADB's Evolving Role in the Changing Context ADB's Experience and Lessons Learned ADB's Evolving Water Policy Looking Ahead: Working for a Blue Revolution

Water in the 21st Century : ADB's Evolving Role in the Changing Context

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Looking Ahead: Working for a Blue Revolution

The hope for the future lies in doing for water productivity what the green revolution did for crop productivity. This "blue revolution," as it has been termed by various scientists and water planners, would dramatically improve the efficiency of freshwater use, particularly in agriculture. The revolution will begin with greater public awareness of the potential dangers of a business-as-usual approach; help create policies, strategies, and incentives needed to establish integrated water resource management on a global basis; and culminate in the allocation of resources to effect the social, institutional, and technological changes necessary for efficient water allocation and use.

ADB is keenly aware of the magnitude of the challenges to be faced in water resource management during the coming decades if the worst-case scenarios are to be avoided. ADB has wide experience in analyzing the macroeconomic impacts of subsidies, formulating appropriate cost recovery and cost-sharing strategies, institutionalizing community participation in resource management, improving governance and transparency, making environmental enhancement cost-effective, and building capacity. ADB, as a rigorously impartial and fair adviser, has particular strength in promoting and fostering regional cooperation for shared water resources. ADB's approach stresses actions to ensure fair and equitable access for the poor and for others whose voices have not always been heard in decisions affecting the allocation of resources. ADB recognizes the special role of women in ensuring the health and well-being of families, both as principal agents for fetching water and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases, and as highly productive farmers and irrigators.

ADB is equally aware of the opportunities that exist for concerted action by governments, funding agencies, private sector, and civil society for improving the management of natural resources. A consensus has been formed among the international funding agencies for strong cooperation and concerted action in analyzing the needs of each country and region, identifying common goals among conflicting stakeholders, and adopting uniform standards and criteria for development decision making. Cooperation to achieve the maximum impact of development assistance will be the hallmark of international aid in the 21st century.

Despite the difficult choices that must be made worldwide to ensure sustainable water use and management, there is some cause for optimism. Commitment to stricter environmental controls and their enforcement does help to maintain healthier ecological conditions and can restore the severely degraded environment. The efficiency of water use can be improved without sacrificing quality of life, and such improvements can alleviate, if not completely avoid, looming water crises. Adopting socially inclusive policies to spread the benefits of water resource development to the poor and other traditionally disadvantaged members of the community benefits society as a whole by improving living conditions, health, social stability, and opportunities for productive employment.

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