Background

Consultations between Spain and ADB on 2-4 December 2009, coordinated by Spain's Ministry of Economy and Finance and involving experts from Tecniberia and various Spanish organizations and companies with an interest in water management, brought about the idea of a river basin study visit to Spain by river basin management professionals from Asia.

Spain, in October 2008, conveyed a keen interest in helping to bring water developments in the Asia and Pacific region by pledging a US$5 million contribution to ADB's Water Financing Partnership Facility (WFPF). In February 2010, Spain committed an additional US$5 million.

The river basin study visit is intended to expand technical cooperation between Spain and ADB and its clients and partners in the Asia-Pacific region. It also aims to explore a water partnership arrangement between Spain and ADB to continue such cooperation after the visit, including possible twinning partnerships between interested participating river basin organizations in Spain and Asia. Its theme is how can river basin managers in Spain and Asia work with stakeholders in their basins to improve water security for the future through institutional, legal, and financial arrangements in a world of changing conditions?

Objectives

This study visit will allow for exchange of information, knowledge and experience between river basin management professionals in Asia and Spain on critical challenges in improving water security in their basins for the future.

Organizers

The study visit is being organized by Spain's Ministry of Economy and Finance, ADB, ADBI, and the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations.

Participants

River basin experts from Central Asia, Philippines, Lao PDR, Indonesia, People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam; and from ADB, ADBI, and Center for River Basin Organizations and Management are expected to participate. See list of participants.