Background
ADB's 'Water for All' policy stipulates the conduct of a comprehensive review of the policy’s implementation 5 years after its approval. The policy further stipulates that said review be conducted by an expert group comprising ADB staff, advisers drawn from developing member countries (DMCs), other external support agencies, and international specialists.
The 2005 comprehensive review provides ADB and its stakeholders with an assessment of progress regarding the implementation of the water policy, as well as recommendations to improve ADB's water investments and operations.
An earlier, in-house review was undertaken in 2003 by ADB's Water Sector Committee, with the results reported to the Board in February 2004. Both the interim review report and comments received on the report are available online.
Objectives
- Assess policy implementation performance
- Identify challenges, investment requirements, and new business opportunities for ADB in the water sector
- Determine capacities and constraints (institutional, financial, and human)
- Advise ADB's management if the policy needs to be revised or supplemented
Review Process
The review was conducted with broad stakeholder participation; transparent proceedings and reporting; and wide dissemination of the policy, consultation results, and recommendations.
The review process involved the following components:

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Review Panel
ADB commissioned a 6-member review panel comprising experts from DMCs, civil society, donors, and the private sector. |

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Consultations
ADB organized a series of consultations to generate feedback on policy implementation experience and other inputs to the review. |

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Water Conferences
ADB participated in several regional events to secure feedback of participants through surveys. |

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ADB Staff Workshop and Feedback
ADB organized in-house workshops involving ADB's water operations staff and consultants. |

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Client and Stakeholders Survey
ADB circulated surveys to various stakeholders at conferences and meetings. Read the results. |
Final Report and ADB’s Initial Response
The Review Panel submitted its report to ADB in April 2006. It was presented during the 2006 ADB Annual Meeting.
The panel recommended that ADB increase its investments and capacity in the sector. It also identified challenges and opportunities and charted a roadmap ahead.
Download the panel's report and read ADB's initial response, which supported the general thrust of the report and accepted the challenges given by the Panel.
Implementation Arrangements
- The Independent Panel led the review process and completed its work in May 2006.
- ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Department organized the review process and supported the Review Panel's work.
- A Lead Facilitator was engaged to manage the review process and work closely with the Review Panel.
- ADB's Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector supported the costs of the review work.
- In-kind contributions from client and partner organizations were welcomed in the organization of various activities, and through the provision of project, sector or thematic reviews, studies, and other relevant materials for consideration by the review panel.
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