Background

WaterLinks is a network of Water Operators Partnerships (WOPs) that stimulates efficiency improvements in urban water and sanitation services throughout the Asia-Pacific region, strengthens capacities, promotes the sharing of new and emerging knowledge, and facilitates professional networking. The network was established in 2008 by ADB, the International Water Association (IWA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

WaterLinks organizes an annual forum to assess and share WOP experiences, build capacity, and expand the network sustainably. The 2009 WaterLinks Forum, with the theme Promoting Effective Water Operator Partnerships, was held in Bangkok, Thailand. The 2010 forum, hosted by ADB, was held in Manila, Philippines with the theme "Replication and Scale-Up of Good Practices in Water Service Delivery in Asia. This year, the 2011 forum is being held as part of the IWA Development Congress and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 21-24 November 2011.

Objectives

• Introduce the new WaterLinks arrangement, i.e., as an independent organization
• Share the experience of effective WOPs
• Introduce new approaches to WOPs
• Consider plans to strengthen, scale-up, and replicate innovation through WOPs at national and/or sub-regional levels
• Expanding reach and impact of WaterLinks by leveraging new partners

Program features

• Update on global WOPs
• Panel discussions on new directions and approaches for WOPs by development partners and national associations
• Presentations on effective WOPs and prospects for scale-up and replication through domestic WOPs and multiple-recipient WOPs, and the role of national associations
• Introduction to WaterLinks as an independent organization, its progress and prospects
• Facilitated discussion on expanded WOP impacts
• Presentation of 2011 WaterLinks Partnership Awards

Expected outcomes

• Draft regional agenda to maximize WOPs impact through new approaches and expanded partnerships
• Expanded cooperation with development partners for WaterLinks

Organizers

The 2011 WaterLinks Forum is being organized by ADB, IWA, and USAID.

Participants

Water and sanitation operators and experts, representatives from water and sanitation associations, international foundations, private corporate entities with substantial interests in water and sanitation, and development partners are invited.