Asian Development Bank - Fighting Poverty in Asia and the Pacific
What's New  |   e-Notification  |   Sitemap  |   Contact Us  |   Help

Water

Home : Topics : Water : Water Operations : Partnerships : National Water Sector Apex Bodies

News and Events
ADB's Water Policy
Water Financing Program
Water Operations
Sanitation Agenda
Loans and Technical Assistance
Networks
Partnerships
Pilot and Demonstration Activities
Knowledge Base and Capacity Development
Promotion and Awareness
Funding Facilities
Water Champions
Country Water Actions
Knowledge Center
Contact Us


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.

 
More about Water Apex Bodies

APEX BODIES AND WATER SECTOR REFORMS

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

Top

NATIONAL WATER SECTOR APEX BODIES IN ASIA

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

Bangladesh Water Resources Planning Organization
Lao PDR Water Resources Coordinating Committee
Malaysia Department of Irrigation and Drainage
Nepal Water and Energy Commission Secretariat
Philippines National Water Resources Board
Thailand Natural Water Resources Committee
Viet Nam National Water Resources Council
India National Water Resources Board
Kazakhstan Water Resources Committee

Top

CHALLENGES FOR APEX BODIES

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

Top

CONTACT

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