Water

Implications: Integrated Water Resource Management

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• What is IWRM and how will ADB promote an integrated approach to water management?
• Why is there a need for river basin organizations?

What is IWRM and how will ADB promote an integrated approach to water management?

Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is a process to improve the planning, conservation, development, and management of water, forest, land, and aquatic resources in a river basin context. It

• aims to maximize economic benefits and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital environmental systems
• addresses quantity and quality concerns for surface and groundwater, and opportunities for their joint use
• is undertaken in a river basin context because river basins—or in some cases, groundwater basins-- form the natural unit to manage water resources

We will help our developing member countries to introduce IWRM and undertake comprehensive water resource assessments in river basins as a basis for future water investment projects. These assessments will enable a better understanding of the links between water and land use, the environment, and sustainable development.

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Why is there a need for river basin organizations?

ADB will support the establishment of river basin organizations (RBOs), which are necessary to implement integrated water resources management. RBOs can be either formal or informal and can help to facilitate stakeholder consultation and participation in the planning, management, and conservation of water resources. As a multi-stakeholder platform, RBOs can prepare and maintain basin profiles with information on water demand and uses, and approved planning directions and standards. Community involvement in resource monitoring and management can then be organized on a river basin basis.

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