Water

Highlights

---

• What's new in this policy?
• What are the principal elements of this policy?

What's new in this policy?

The new water policy responds to the urgent need in the Asian and Pacific Region for integrated and cross-sectoral approaches to water management and development. In particular, we advocate that

• water is a socially vital economic good
• water needs careful management to sustain equitable economic growth and to reduce poverty
• a participatory approach will help the conservation and protection of water resources in the region

Top

What are the principal elements of this policy?

The water policy focuses on seven principal elements:

1. Promoting a national focus on water sector reform

We will support developing member countries (DMCs) to

• adopt effective national water policies, water laws and sector coordination arrangements
• improve institutional capacities and information management
• develop a national water action agenda

2. Fostering the integrated management of water resources

We will ensure that integrated management of water resources is based on comprehensive water resource assessments and focuses on interlinked water investments in river basins.

3. Improving and expanding the delivery of water services

In focusing on water supply and sanitation, irrigation and drainage and other water services, we will

• support autonomous and accountable service providers, private sector participation, and public-private partnerships
• emphasize equity in access to water for the poor and underserved

4. Fostering the conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies

We will support interventions that

• combine water use and resource management charges to recover costs
• improve water regulation and increase public awareness
• provide for the inclusion of the poor

5. Promoting regional cooperation and increasing the mutually beneficial use of shared water resources within and between countries

Our primary focus will be on the exchange of information and experiences in water sector reform. In particular, we will support programs that

• enhance awareness of the benefits of shared water resources
• create sound hydrologic and socio-environmental databases relevant to the management of transboundary water resources
• foster joint implementation of projects between riparian countries

6. Facilitating the exchange of water sector information and experience

We will support interventions that highlight socially inclusive development principles in the water sector. These include

• promoting stakeholder consultation and participation at all levels
• increasing access to basic water services by poor consumers
• fostering public-private-community-NGO partnerships in water investments

7. Improving governance

We will pursue good governance by

• promoting decentralization
• building capacity
• strengthening monitoring and evaluation, research and learning, particularly in public institutions

Back About ADB's Water Policy	Next Formulation Process