Water

South Asian Water Utilities Network
About SAWUN

The South Asian Water Utilities Network (SAWUN) is a new organization of water utilities in South Asia. Background Sawun's Vision And Mission Governing Body Membership Related Links Contacts

More about SAWUN Main Page About SAWUN SAWUN Program of Activities SAWUN in Motion

The Hashimoto Action Plan, promoted by the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB), encourages partnerships among water operators to improve the delivery of water services. One way to do this is to establish regional water utility networks geared towards promoting knowledge exchange and performance efficiencies.

As part of their partnership agreement to fast-track developments in the Asia-Pacific’s water sector, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) are working to establish such networks in South and Central Asia. The networks will rely on insights from the experience of South East Asian Water Utilities Network (SEAWUN), established in 2003.

An initial workshop held in New Delhi, India on 8-9 December 2006 discussed the possibility of such a network for South Asian water utilities. Participants at this workshop concluded unanimously that a South Asian Water Utilities Network (SAWUN) should be established as soon as possible and that a program of mutually supporting activities be developed.

A subsequent meeting in Islamabad on 23-24 April 2007 ratified the network’s charter and formally established SAWUN. Participants in the meeting

• elected the network’s Chairperson, and Steering Committee members
• discussed financing mechanisms for sustaining the network
• discussed a program of action for 2007-2008

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	VISION SAWUN members, drawn initially from the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, measurably improve their performance in the delivery of water supply and sanitation services to meet target 10 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
	MISSION SAWUN becomes a capable, self-sustaining organization that is proactive to its members needs, demonstrating excellence and relevance in the delivery of its programs and practices in fulfilling its vision.

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The organizational structure of SAWUN is composed of

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SAWUN member utilities are initially drawn from the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Membership to SAWUN is open to public or private water and/or wastewater utility in member countries. Conditions for membership of national water and wastewater associations, and small scale service providers from participating countries shall be determined by the SAWUN Steering Committee (SSC).

Applications for membership may be made to the SSC with prospective members indicating

• what they believe they will be able to contribute to SAWUN in technical terms
• the benefits they see for themselves
• a statement of their operational and financial capabilities

As determined by the SSC at its first meeting on 24 April 2007, an initial annual membership fee of US $20 per utility is applicable to all members.

The SSC will determine any conditions of membership that it deems fit, including but not limited to periods, amount, continuity, and rights.

View the profiles of the existing members.

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• Website: www.sawun.org
• SAWUN Charter [PDF]
• Program of Activities 2007-2008 [PDF]

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Paul van Klaveren
Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist, ADB
E-mail: pvanklaveren@adb.org

Mai Flor
Water Governance Specialist, ADB
Email: mflor@adb.org