Water

Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector
Medium-Term Strategy

CFWS finances a coherent program of activities designed to promote effective water management policies and practices in the Asia and the Pacific region. CFWS’ Medium-Term Strategy outlines the expected outcomes, outputs, and activities under the Program of Activities that correspond to six strategy components.

More About CFWS • Main Page • Program of Activities • CFWS Partners • Medium-Term Strategy • Implementation Arrangements • CFWS Opportunities • Fund Management • Related Materials and Links

Promotion and Public Awareness

ADB initiated a Water Awareness Program (WAP) in 2002 to increase awareness in the region about common water issues, policies, strategies and practices. The first year of the WAP focused on raising awareness through the 3rd World Water Forum.

WAP's thrusts for 2003 onwards include

• promoting water awareness programs as part of national water sector reform processes in ADB's developing member countries (DMCs)
• incorporating water awareness programs into ADB's water sector loans and technical assistance projects
• promoting water awareness and dialogue at sub regional and regional levels

Knowledge Base and Capacity Building

A water sector knowledge management and capacity development program for ADB and DMC staff is under development based on the preparatory assessments carried out in 2002. The program includes three main elements:

• Water sector information system - includes water sector statistics by DMC, national water sector profiles, sector road maps, useful practices in key water sector reform topics, knowledge management software, and links to other water knowledge centers outside of ADB
• Comparative analysis of water sector reforms - focuses on a series of topics selected and prioritized by the Water Sector Committee, starting with national water sector reforms to improve water governance.
• Water sector capacity building program - to help develop core competencies in DMCs and ADB to implement water policy and sector reforms.

Pilot and Demonstration Activities

This category supports the development of innovative approaches, methodologies, and practices that have a potential for replication or scaling-up in the country or sub-region. The pilot and demonstration activities (PDAs) focus on fresh water resources and/or fresh water services, covering themes such as technology, awareness building, gender and development and policy reform. They also cover such sub-sectors as hydropower, irrigation management, flood management, and water supply and sanitation services.

The results of the PDAs will guide and encourage positive change among water sector stakeholders and will inform policy dialogue between ADB and the DMCs. Implementable within 12 months, the PDAs will involve a maximum financial assistance of $50,000. Support will be provided on a demand basis to

• project and country teams in ADB's regional departments to develop and demonstrate innovative approaches in water policy and sector reform
• stakeholders outside of ADB, in close collaboration with ADB's regional departments, to improve novel initiatives

Water Partnerships

This involves initiating or strengthening national and regional water partnerships in the region, with a view to advancing the implementation of ADB's water policy. The activities will be on a demand basis, and will involve any or all of the following:

• Collaboration among river basin organizations
• Regional networks for water information
• Regional or national water partnerships
• Subregional cooperation on flood management
• Water utilities networks

Regional Events and Initiatives

This category supports important events and initiatives that promote and catalyze the implementation of ADB's water policy in the region.

In 2003 onwards, the Fund will support follow-up initiatives to the 3^rd World Water Forum. The Water Sector Committee will also consider making the ADB Water Week an annual event for ADB and DMC water staff. Other expected activities may include

• Support for conferences, seminars and workshops that support the implementation of ADB's water policy
• Regional initiatives such as the Water for Asian Cities Program, Water for the Poor- Partnerships for Action, Mekong Flood Management Initiative
• Regional water cooperation in Central Asia and the Pacific

Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation

This category supports the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the Fund's Program of activities.

An annual review of the Program will be conducted during the ADB Water Week in consultation with the countries that contributed to the Fund. Regular exchange visits with the World Bank's water partnership program and with similar initiatives of other development partners will be pursued to ensure coordination and facilitate joint activities as needed.

The Fund may support requests for specific collaboration with other multilateral development banks, bilateral funding agencies, and other development partners. It will also support the regional departments' co-financing initiatives in water operations.

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