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Water Sector APEX Bodies Meeting Opens in Hanoi

First regional meeting to stress need for better water governance

HANOI, VIET NAM (18 May 2004) - Representatives of national water sector apex bodies and water ministries from 13 countries in Asia opened a meeting here today to discuss the role these bodies can play to improve the management of increasingly scarce water resources. The officials were joined by knowledge partner organizations as well as donor organizations.

National water sector apex bodies have been established in several countries in Asia to guide national water sector reforms to achieve sustainable water management. These bodies are well placed to demonstrate leadership in improving water governance, both in the management of water resources and the delivery of water services.

In his opening address, Viet Nam's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mai Ai Truc, noted that water is essential and has a deciding role in the sustainable development of Viet Nam. He stated, "During Viet Nam's process of industrialization and modernization, the Government is striving to protect, exploit and use water in a sound and balanced manner, recognizing both the social and economic values of the resource."

Stressing the value of exchanging information with other countries, the Minister said, "This type of cooperation and exchange can be very useful to all of us to explore and learn how to move forward in creating a strong and sustainable water sector. I will look forward to hearing about your conclusions regarding a permanent network of water sector apex bodies which might help to promote appropriate cooperation, information exchange and support."

Pieter Smidt, Officer-in-Charge, ADB Resident Mission in Viet Nam, in his opening remarks said, "ADB believes that national water sector apex bodies can and should play a key role in overseeing water policy formulation and the water sector reform process."

He added that the Hanoi meeting was a prime example of this type of regional information exchange and peer support. "A more sustainable mode of support will be achieved when country-to-country consultation and assistance matches the technical and financial assistance which ADB and other development agencies and knowledge partners can provide."

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has worked with the Governments of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam in setting up or strengthening national water councils or committees. This parallels the support that ADB and other development organizations are giving to establish and strengthen river basin organizations in a number of countries. These advisory and coordination bodies have begun to play an important part in promoting a national focus on water sector reforms to promote effective national water policies, water laws, sector coordination arrangements, improved institutional capacities and information management, and development of national action agendas for the water sector.

During the two day meeting, delegates will exchange information and experience on the work of national water sector apex bodies in the region, identify priority needs and opportunities for networking, capacity building, and research, including the development of methodologies for benchmarking and peer review to assess and monitor their effectiveness.

The meeting is organized by ADB in collaboration with the Viet Nam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and hosted by Viet Nam's Office of National Water Resources Council.

ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 63 members - 45 from the region. In 2003, it approved loans and technical assistance worth US$6.1 billion and US$177 million, respectively, of which $179 million in loans and $8.6 million in technical assistance were for Viet Nam.

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