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Network of Asian River Basin Organizations
NARBO Action Plan 2004-2005

NARBO holds General Meetings annually to

  • Review the preceding year’s action plan
  • Formulate, discuss, and approve an action plan for the coming year.

General Meetings also determine NARBO’s thrusts for the year in the promotion of IWRM.

 
MORE ABOUT NARBO
ACTION PLAN 2004-2005
A. Advocacy/Knowledge Exchange
Activity Remarks
Activities led by the NARBO Secretariat
  1. NARBO Website*


    2. The website will be developed to provide information, updates, and reminders about NARBO's work, knowledge partners, and access to other websites, publications, case studies, electronic newsletter, guidelines and sourcebooks, and online libraries. Opportunities to develop an on-line forum for exchange of views is under consideration.
The website is managed by the Japan Water Agency (JWA) in collaboration with the ADB and the ADB Institute. Monthly updating is planned. Member organizations profiles should be posted by June 2004 depending on inputs received.
  1. Electronic Newsletter


    2. The newsletter will cover topics on good practices, lessons learned, activities, reference to guidelines and sourcebook.
The e-newsletter will be produced by JWA with input from NARBO Secretariat and members. Quarterly issues are expected.
  1. Guidelines and Sourcebook


    2. Materials will be compiled, and where necessary developed, on IWRM practices and lessons learned, river basins in Asia, standards and manuals, recommended formats for river basin organization (RBO) annual reports, reference materials on IWRM, and topics of interest, like for example on environmental flows and flood management. Materials will be shared through website downloads and CDs.
The ADB Institute will lead this work in collaboration with JWA, ADB, IWMI, MRC, and other interested partners.
  1. NARBO Annual Report


    2. Drawing on member organizations' inputs, the report will summarize NARBO's activities and outline challenges for future NARBO work.
NARBO's annual report will be compiled by JWA. The first report is expected in May 2005.
  1. Collaboration with Knowledge Partner Organizations


    2. NARBO will develop collaboration with partner organizations in supporting RBOs through knowledge generation, capture, dissemination, and implementation to help them in their work. Examples will include knowledge products on environmental flows, gender programs to support IWRM, and others.
JWA will coordinate the collaboration with a wide range of knowledge partner organizations. Several partner organizations have already expressed interest in collaboration during the first general meeting. This will be reported on the website.
  1. Media Relations and NARBO Promotion and Dissemination


    2. NARBO will develop and implement a media strategy to promote key messages on IWRM and the work of RBOs, and will promote NARBO's objectives and activities at suitable events in the region.
The media relations work will be initiated and supported by ADB as part of ADB's Water Awareness Program. JWA will lead the work to promote NARBO and its activities at events.
  1. NARBO General Meeting


    2. The general meeting will be held every two years in accordance with NARBO's charter, and JWA will lead the Secretariat's work to organize the meeting in consultation with the NARBO Chair.
The dates and venue of the 2nd general meeting in the fourth quarter of 2005 will be determined in 2004.
Activities led by NARBO Member Organizations
  1. NARBO members websites


    2. NARBO member organizations will develop and maintain their own websites and post relevant information on their activities in relation to IWRM and its implementation. The NARBO Secretariat will use the member websites to compile relevant information on activities for the NARBO website.
RBO and other NARBO member organizations will implement their websites and update them at least quarterly.
  1. RBO Annual Reports


    2. NARBO RBO member organizations will prepare an annual report of their activities in accordance with guidelines prepared by the NARBO Secretariat.
The first annual reports will be prepared by the RBOs and submitted to the NARBO Secretariat by March 2005.
B. RBOs Capacity Building
Activity Remarks
Activities led by the NARBO Secretariat
  1. Training Program


    2. NARBO will develop and organize a program of training courses to help build the capacity of RBOs in implementing IWRM. Collaboration with training courses offered by partner organizations is also expected. The training is expected to focus on both technical and non-technical subjects. Priorities will be assessed in consultation with NARBO members. An indicative range of topics may include: introduction to IWRM, management of river basins, planning, conservation, development, water rights, awareness, gender issues, resettlement, efficient and safe operations of facilities, leadership skills, and managerial requirements. Training courses will be designed using guidelines for participant selection, content, modalities, organization, and cost sharing by the host organization, contributing organizations, NARBO member organizations (through a registration fee), and the NARBO Secretariat.
The training courses will be organized by the NARBO Secretariat in collaboration with host organizations and knowledge partner organizations. Preparation work has already started, and the Thailand Water Resources Association has offered to host the first two-week IWRM course on 26 July - 6 August 2004 in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. KOWACO has expressed interest to collaborate in training programs for NARBO.
  1. Workshops


    2. NARBO will organize regular workshops for knowledge sharing among members on issues of common interest. Regional workshops will be held in conjunction with NARBO's general meeting, and subregional workshops will be considered on a demand basis.
The first NARBO workshop on IWRM was held during the 1st general meeting in Indonesia. Workshop organization will be coordinated by the NARBO Secretariat and Chair.
  1. Performance Benchmarking


    2. A program of performance benchmarking of RBOs will be developed, supported by a process of peer reviews by NARBO members.
The program will be designed by ADB and IWMI in consultation with NARBO members.
  1. Advisory visits to RBOs


    2. NARBO Secretariat staff will visit RBOs to learn about their work to implement IWRM and to provide advice and support for knowledge generation and sharing.
The visits will be led by JWA and participation by Secretariat and knowledge partner organizations will be sought.
  1. Scholarship Programs


    2. NARBO Secretariat will explore opportunities to promote participation of NARBO member organization staff in existing scholarship programs in the region and beyond.
JWA, ADBI, and ADB will explore opportunities and welcome suggestions from NARBO members, knowledge partner organizations, academe, and potential sponsors.
Activities led by NARBO Member Organizations
  1. RBO Centers of Excellence


    2. NARBO will recognize RBOs as centers of excellence in specific areas of IWRM expertise and stimulate opportunities for members to access and use the expertise within the network.
RBOs will indicate areas of expertise and JWA will make an inventory and suggest centers of excellence to be recognized, starting with four in 2004 with others to follow later.
  1. RBO Exchange Visits, Staff Exchange Programs, Twinning Programs


    2. RBOs will arrange visits to exchange experience, and staff exchange programs for capacity building drawing on the expertise of member organizations.
To be initiated and arranged by RBO members. Jasa Tirta I, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Mekong River Commission, Laguna Lake Development Authority expressed interest, and IWMI offered to host staff. JWA and Jasa Tirta I expressed interest in a twinning arrangement.
  1. ISO certification


    2. RBOs to explore opportunities for ISO certification to stimulate achievement and maintenance of standards.
To be initiated and led by Jasa Tirta I and II who have already received ISO certification.
  1. Transboundary Water Management


    2. RBOs to explore opportunities to foster regional cooperation for improved water resources management in transboundary river basins, through sharing of information and exchange of experience.
To be initiated and pursued by interested RBOs. MRC will share information and experience.
C. Network Support
Activity Remarks
  1. Technical Advisory Committee


    2. NARBO is considering the establishment of a technical advisory committee in accordance with the provision in the NARBO Charter, to support NARBO's work.
It is expected that the TAC will be established during or after the 2nd NARBO General Meeting. Comments and suggestions to the Secretariat are welcome.
  1. Financial Support Group


    2. The NARBO Charter provides the possibility to convene a financial support group to extend financial support for NARBO activities from other multilateral and bilateral agencies.
The need to establish such a group will be determined after NARBO's action plan is finalized. ADB will take the lead.

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CONTACTS

Wouter Lincklaen Arriens
Lead Professional (Water Resources Management), ADB
E-Mail: water@adb.org

Worapot Manupipatpong
Director, Capacity Building and Training, ADBI
Email: wmanupipatpong@adbi.org

Kenji Someya
Director, International Affairs Division, Japan Water Agency
E-Mail: Kenji_Someya@water.go.jp