Water

National Water Sector Apex Bodies
About Water Apex Bodies

ADB considers Water Apex Bodies as critical institutions to improve decision-making for better water governance. Water Apex Bodies aim to promote a national focus on water sector reform, guide a water sector reform process, and facilitate policy dialogue and investment partnerships. Apex Bodies and Water Sector Reforms National Water Sector Apex Bodies in Asia Challenges for Apex Bodies

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ADB regards National Water Sector Apex Bodies as critical institutions to improve decision-making for better water governance. In support of its water policy, ADB actively promotes and supports the development of national water sector apex bodies to:

• promote a national focus on water sector reform, through the formulation and adoption of effective national water policies, water laws, improved institutional capacities, information management, and a national action agenda for the water sector
• guide a water sector reform process in which the relevant stakeholders in the country collaborate to achieve agreed water sector outcomes
• facilitate policy dialogue and investment partnerships in the water sector with development partners, including ADB

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Nine countries in Asia have established their national water apex bodies. Read the thier individual profiles.

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Water apex bodies generally experience the following challenges and constraints in their work:

• Need for better enabling environment to perform more effectively; to clarify functions and indicators of effectiveness
• Need for sustained political commitment to water sector reforms
• Need for a clear mandate that is recognized and accepted, and not be seen as threat by other agencies
• Need to differentiate between an apex body and a ministry of water resources which has a cross-sectoral role
• Need to understand factors that determine whether a country should establish an apex body
• Need to assess the extent to which apex bodies have benefited the general public in terms of access to water
• Need to assess the extent to which apex bodies should be involved in transboundary water management

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Mai Flor
Water Governance Specialist
Email: mmflor@adb.org