monthly report global water partnership november 2011 ... · europe, caucasus and central asia...
TRANSCRIPT
Monthly Report
Global Water Partnership
November 2011
Table of contents
NewsFlow ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 CARIBBEAN ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 CENTRAL AMERICA ............................................................................................................................................... 8 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE .......................................................................................................................... 8 CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS .......................................................................................................................... 12 CHINA .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 EASTERN AFRICA ................................................................................................................................................. 12 SOUTH ASIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 SOUTHEAST ASIA ................................................................................................................................................. 12 WEST AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 19
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Transboundary Waters, Climate Change and Good Governance
A joint position paper from GWP West Africa and GWP Mediterranean, in view of Rio+20.
NewsFlow
Connecting the Dots at COP17
GWP continued its advocacy for better water management as a key response to the impact of climate change at the UNFCCC negotiations in Durban, South Africa, 28 November-9 December 2011 (COP 17).
The importance of water in adaption to climate change was recognized at the negotiations. The water community’s work of advocating for water is getting heard, reported InterPress Service in “Growing Calls for Water to be Prioritised”. The key messages from the Water, Climate and Development Day outline the central role of water and the next steps the world must take.
GWP participation at COP17
Blog from Durban
Connect the Dots: Water, Climate and Development by GWP Executive Secretary (pdf) Preliminary Summary Report of the Water, Climate and Development Day (pdf) GWP press briefing webcast
Conflict Resolution in Vietnam
Conflicts over water resources exist in GWP Vietnam as in many parts of the world where a large
population have to share scarce water resources. To tackle these issues, GWP Vietnam organized a
workshop on 29th November 2011, in Hanoi, to discuss solutions through and integrated approach to
Food-Water-Energy Security.
The workshop participants concluded that the pressures on water resources are putting a higher emphasis on the need for action, but Vietnam doe not have a legal framework for resolving conflicts. It was suggested that experts who work internationally take advantage of international cooperation to collect data about river basins which originate from China to supplement national water resources data. Read more. The following issues on conflict resolution were raised:
- Water conflicts in Vietnam have not been addressed methodically. Although River Basin Organizations have been established, they have no role in conflict resolution.
- Water governance is dispersed which leads to water resources management inefficiency. In addition, the agency responsible for water management has limited human resources. There needs to be a review to establish a more effective water resources governance agency.
- Hydropower development is a potential for conflict. To ensure economic growth, the government is giving priority to generate electricity rather than supporting other water use sectors.
- Planning for multi-purpose reservoir development is not given proper attention. At present, planning for reservoir development is designated mainly for electric utilities for power generation.
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- The flow regime has been changing recently and the water input is unpredictable which complicates reservoir operations.
Guidelines for Basin Management in Nicaragua GWP Central America signed an agreement with the National Water Authority of Nicaragua (Autoridad Nacional del Agua - ANA) to help prepare guidelines for basin management plans. The agreement, signed October 14, 2011, is a contribution to the implementation of the Water Law approved in 2007. On December 5, ANA and GWP Nicaragua organized the first workshop with representatives from many sectors. The main purpose of the meeting was to analyse the technical requirements established in the Water Law, as well as discuss experiences that have been implemented for the sustainable management of basins as a basis for the preparation of the first draft of the guidelines. The final document is expected to be presented at the beginning of 2012 to be adopted by ANA to establish national regulations for the preparation of basin management plans.
Economic Model for the Aral Sea Basin A USAID project to develop a regional economic model for the integrated use of Aral Sea basin water resources was granted to a consortium of DHI, COWI and GWP Central Asia and Caucasus (GWP CACENA), with GWP CACENA being asked to coordinate the project. A working meeting was held on … to elaborate specific assignments for national experts from five countries. “GWP CACENA has been selected since it is the only platform able to overcome the mistrust among the countries,” said Dr. Danka Thalmeinerova, acting Network Officer for the region. Integrated, operational scenarios will be developed for existing and potential storage reservoirs in the Aral Sea basin’s two main rivers. National experts will be responsible for contributing to the concept, collecting, analysing and processing both hydrological and economic data. This data will be inserted into the GAMS model to derive scenarios of water allocation, economic assessment of potential use and economic impacts in five economic sectors (agriculture, energy, sanitation, industry, and nature). The project is also supported by IFAS to guide future investments. “GWP CACENA’s convening power to gather national experts from all five countries involved has the potential to create outputs which will be accepted by all countries,” said Thalmeinerova.
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Meet Our Partners
GWP is a network of more than 2,500 institutional partners. Here is an interview Viviana Salas from Bioparques Civil Partnership in Venezuela.
Read more about benefits of being a GWP Partner.
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GWP in the news
Growing Calls for Water to be Prioritised (IPS)
VOA Reportage: Climate Change Threatens Africa’s Biggest Water Sources
Efforts to include water in climate talks gaining momentum - Brent Patterson, 6th Dec
http://www.wiserearth.org/article/dc8f4b2d55aebf8fdc0200b5cc496b7c (Wiser Earth)
The Water Community Takes the Lead in Climate Change Adaptation ... (PR Newswire)
Water Lessons: An African water management perspective on climate change - article by Mike Muller, GWP Technical Committee
Care for water ‘deserves priority’ (Daily News)
More news in our Press Room.
GWP IWRM ToolBox
Climate variability and change: a basin scale indicator approach to understanding the risk to water resources development and management (World Bank, 2011) For tool, A1.03 This study (8.46 MB) evaluates the effects of climate change on six hydrological indicators across 8,413 basins in World Bank client countries. http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/2011_world_bank_climate_variability_change_eng.pdf Keeping track of our changing environment: From Rio to Rio+20 (1992-2012) (UNEP, 2011) For tools, C1.05, C1.02 This report (4.82 MB) provides a compilation of statistical data, numerically-based graphs and illustrative “before and after” satellite images tracking environmental changes that have swept the planet over the last twenty years since the CSD Rio conference. http://www.unep.org/GEO/pdfs/Keeping_Track.pdf Monitoring Framework for Water ((WWAP/UNSD, 2011) For tools, A1.02, B2.02
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This briefing note (2.80 MB) aims for a better understanding of international methodological standards for water which have been developed by the international statistical community. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002112/211296e.pdf Second Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters (UN, 2011) For tools, B1.02, B1.04 This Second Assessment (43.28 MB) of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the status of transboundary waters in the European and Asian parts of the UNECE region. http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/publications/assessment/English/ECE_Second_Assessment_En.pdf
Coming events
Water Security Research Centre at the UEA call for applications for two Water Security courses with entry in 2012. www.uea.ac.uk/dev/courses/msc-water-security-and-international-development
15 February: Call for abstracts and event proposals for the 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm, August 26-31. The theme is: Water and Food Security.
12-17 March 2012, 6th World Water Forum, Marseille, France
1 April 2012: Call for entries on WASH Media Awards, http://www.wsscc.org/media/wash-media-awards/2011-2012.
10-14 April, 2012, India Water Week, New Delhi
13-18 April, 2012 Water Security, Risk and Society, St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford, UK
http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/watersecurity/
2-4 July 2012 Global Action Networks, MOPAN (Multi-Organisational Partnerships, Alliances and Networks), Wageningen University, The Netherlands
New Resources
Report from UN-Water event at Bonn2011: “UN-Water on the Road to Rio: water in the green economy for development and poverty eradication”
World Water Report Survey by UN-Water. Deadline 15 January 2012.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Global_Survey_on_UN-Water_publications-English
Sharing the water, sharing the benefits: Lessons from six large dams in West Africa
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The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture by FAO
“The Right to Water: Politics, Governance and Social Struggles” http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/books/details/9781849713597/ Planet Under Pressure Initiative (GWSP) http://www.planetunderpressure2012.net/policybriefs.asp Shifting Course: Climate Adaptation for Water Management Institutions.(WWF-US)
Water in the News
The Effects of Global Warming on Groundwaters http://www.orsam.org.tr/en/WaterResources/showAnalysisAgenda.aspx?ID=948
Global Photography Contest Calendar of Winning Images http://www.waterinstitute.unc.edu/2011_calendars
Water issues a priority (Fiji Times)
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GWP Regions
CARIBBEAN
CENTRAL AMERICA
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
Galia Bardarska, GWP Bulgaria participated in Green Innovation Forum 2011 in Sheraton Hotel,
Sofia. During Coca-Cola lecture presenting among others Danube Day, she highlighted GWP CEE
role in organizing Danube Art Master competition in 2011. GWP CEE Water Talk was disseminated.
Coca-Cola lecture at Green Innovation Forum 2011
Liviu Nicolae Popescu of GWP Romania participated in European Union Water Initiative Eastern
Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EUWI EECCA) 15th Working Group meeting on 7-8 November
2011 in Bucharest, Romania. The EUWI EECCA supports work of the European Neighborhood Policy
and the implementation of objectives contained in the Actions Plans and of EU-Central Asia Platform
for Environment and Water Cooperation, which constitutes a framework for the implementation of
the environment and water pillar of the EU Strategy for Central Asia. The meeting organization is
supported by the Europan Commission, by Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests and also
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and brought together a large number of participants including senior
officials representing Water and Environmental authorities, experts from Western, Eastern Europe,
the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as International Organizations (UNECE and OECD) and
donors. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation and Ukraine
presented their country report by Ministers of Environment.
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Meeting topics and presentations of country reports. Credit L.N. Popescu, GWP Romania
The working sessions discussed several interesting issues to GWP:
Implementation of National Policies Dialogues (NPD) to support legal and institutional
reform in the water sector, legal and institutional reforms in water sector, planning of main
directions for IWRM implementation using NPD frames, setting targets and dates under the
Water and Health Protocol, IWRM implementation including preparation of National Water
Code in Georgia.
Implementation of National Policy Dialogues: over-fragmentation in the water supply and
sanitation sector in order to optimize the water systems
Transboundary cooperation: the role of NPD in EECCA, challenges and opportunities: results
of Second Assessment of Transboundary Waters under the UN ECE Water Convention,
examples from Aral Sea saving International Funds Executive Committee. The support
provided by GWP, regional and Country Water Partnerships was acknowledged during
data collection process in partnership with the governmental institutions by means of
answering / commenting the responses from national questionnaires used for this second
round of assessment.
Use of economic instruments for better water allocations.
Integrating Water Uses or a Wise Water Resources Management, e.g. integration of
hydropower into overall water resources management policies, integration of the
environment and economy within national approach for water resources management etc.
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EUWI/EECCA meeting sessions. Credit L.N. Popescu, GWP Romania
During the meeting, GWP Romania also stressed the importance of cooperation across stakeholder’s
spectrum including water operators, water users, water management institutions, and environmental
societies/organization when the decisions on water allocations are made. In case of transboundary
waters, IWRM was recommended during analysis of different kind of pressures and their impacts to
water which should lead to design of appropriate measures on the national and transboundary level.
In order to get wide involvement of stakeholders, water and environment NGO’s proved to be the
most efficient links. In this respect examples from Danube River Basin were given where GWP CEE,
WWF and other NGO’s facilitated dialogues with stakeholders during river basin plans preparation.
GWP Slovakia experts completed the pre-feasibility study Wastewaters Collection and Treatment
Options in Black Water (Cierna voda) River Basin. This study should be considered as tool for finding
proper location for pilot project of waste water treatment plant using extensive ways for wastewater
treatment in Eastern Slovakia. This study is also complementary segment to the joint project of CWPs
Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine, called Making space for water in the Bodrog River Basin.
The seminar “Forging Targets and Solutions for Rivers and Water Ecosystems Restoration” held in
Ljubljana devoted to the preparation of targets and solutions on the field of river restoration, which
will be reported to the World Water Forum 6, was very successful. The main organizer of preparation
targets and solutions to World Water Forum 6 for river restoration is European Centre for River
Restoration (ECRR). The Chair is Bart Fokkens and Executive Secretary Hil Kuypers, Secretariat is
located in Utrecht at GLG (Governmental Service for Land and Water Management). Martina Zupan,
GWP CEE Chair presented GWP and GWP CEE activities, including GWP ToolBox, on the field of
education and public participation. During the meeting she spoke with Bart Fokkens and Hil
Kuypers. We agreed that both GWP and ECRR have many common goals and that the cooperation
would bring added value to both organizations. Bart suggested that GWP would write official letter
to ECRR with proposal to meet and discuss on possibilities of cooperation. They are already involved
to some projects in CACENA region. GWP could enter more actively to the preparations for 6WWF in
cooperation with ECRR, in addition to cooperation with INBO and the UN Economic Commission for
Europe.
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Bart Fokkens and the presidency of the ECRR Excursion to the tributary of Cerknica ECRR lake, an
example of rehabilitation
GWP Slovenija was invited by a strong Slovenian NGO Umanotera to assess the pre-election water
and the environment programs of parties standing for election to Parliament. The assessment was
prepared, but unfortunately we have pointed out, that only two of the 13 parties prepared a good
program, while the programs of others are very bad and showed lack of understanding the concept of
sustainable development and even less understanding of IWRM and green economy.
Martina Zupan, GWP CEE chair participated to the Sava Stakeholder Forum - Workshop on the Sava
River Basin Management Plan and design of the future stakeholder involvement which will be held
on 9-10 November 2011 in Belgrade, organized by International Sava River Basin Commission
(ISRBC). The Draft of the Sava River Basin Management Plan was presented and discussed by related
stakeholders. The Plan describes the present water status in the basin, identified significant pressures
and proposed measures directed towards achieving the environmental objectives according to the EU
Water Framework Directive at the basin-wide scale. The possible process and settings for
participating in the implementation of the River Basin Management (RBM) Plan was discussed and
later on participating in the development of the revised RBM Plan including possibilities of providing
input that will assist to define the level and means of participation for the different stakeholders. The
participants proposed a more permanent mechanism of organizing structured participation of the
stakeholders in the management of the Sava River Basin in the form of Water Partnership. Martina
Zupan proposed that Sava Water Partnership would join the GWP CEE and it was accepted by ISRBC
as well as the GWP MED representative Dimitris Faloutsos. It was also agreed with ISRBC Executive
Secretary Dejan Komatina that GWP CEE would send to them the application letter for GWP CEE
observer status in ISRBC. As a result, GWP CEE Regional Secretariat sent official application for
ISRBC observer status.
GWP CEE joined Slovene Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry - Institute of Agriculture and Forestry
Maribor in application for applied for Good Water project that was submitted 4th Call for Proposal of
South Easter Europe programme of the European Commission. If project gets funding, GWP CEE will
cooperate in Work Package 6 of the project “Awareness Raising” – organizing stakeholder forums
with respect of integrated water management, including economic and social issues and sustainable
water management on water protected areas. Official interest to participate was confirmed by the
letter of GWP CEE Secretariat; representative to the project would be GWP CEE and GWP Slovenia
Chair, Martina Zupan.
GWP CEE Integrated Drought Management Programme Task Force comprising experts from 8
countries prepared national contributions to the GWP CEE IDMP Inception report.
GWP CEE Regional Secretariat completed Danube Art Master reports for ICPDR (attached).
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GWP CEE Regional Coordinator Milan Matuska and GWP Knowledge Management Officer Danka
Thalmeinerova participated in Open Day of Ministry of Environment on 5 November 2011. Danka
Thalmeinerova handed over to Minister of Environment József Nagy IWRM in Practice: Better Water
Management for Development book.
Danka Thalmeinerova hands over GWP book to Minister of Environment
Liviu Nicolae Popescu of GWP Romania participated on behalf of GWP CEE at European Water
Stewardship (EWS) Launch held in Brussels at the Royal Academy of Belgium on 24 November 2011.
Cooperation between European Water Partnership (EWP) and GWP is formalised by Memorandum
of Understanding. The EWS is a next step in a process started by European Water Partnership already
in 2008, with launching of “Water Vision for Europe for 2030”. As was mentioned by EU
Commissioner for Environment Dr. Janez Potocnik, EWS is a voluntary system and supports the
implementation of Water Framework Directive, the EC flagship initiative on resources efficiency and
will also effectively contribute to the “Blueprint for Safeguarding Europe Waters” which will promote
the development of targets for water efficiency in the EU member states by 2012. With that the water
consumers from industry and agriculture are recognizing the need to include sustainable water
governance in their business strategies. These have to go beyond simple water-use efficiency and be
based on an exhaustive understanding of operational and supply chain water risks. Liviu Nicolae
Popescu discussed possibilities of cooperation with EWP on their projects covering GWP CEE Region.
CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS
CHINA
EASTERN AFRICA
SOUTH ASIA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
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Lao Water Partnership
1. Preparatory Meeting on Transboundary Cooperation for River Basin Management
The DWR (Department of Water Resources) has organized the Preparatory meeting on
Transboundary Cooperation for River Basin Management between Lao PDR and Thailand
A preparatory meeting organized on 14-15 October 2011, in Savanhnaket Province, under the
chairman of Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Acting Director General of DWR. With the objective to
introduce the project/activities, framework, time frame and share the approach and methodology
with participants, to identify in a collaborative manner issues and to finalize on the project action plan
for implementation.
Output of the meeting:
A sound and common understanding of the project objectives, activities and the
implementation requirements.
Identified framework, approach and methodology of project
Identified the project action plan for implementation.
2. The Consultation of National Capacity Development Action Plan Workshop
16 October 2011, Vangvieng, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR.
The workshop on “Consultation of National Capacity Development Action Plan” was held on
16 October 2011 at Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, under the chairmanship of Mr.
Kongnguen Chounlamounty, Assistant Director General of Department of Water Resources.
18 participants coming from various divisions and departments from different Ministries as well as
representatives from Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC). The main purposes of the workshop
encompassed:
1. Detailed consultation on the need of capacity development for implementation of each
programme and procedure.
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2. Revise the comments made from the previous workshop on consultation of National Capacity
Development Action Plan, which was held in Savannakhet and check if those comments have
been put on the draft of National Capacity Development Action Plan.
3. Integrating all comments and pieces of useful advice into the draft of National Capacity
Development Action Plan. This document will be submitted to the World Bank for funding.
Proceedings of the workshop
The workshop was official commenced at 9am by Mr. Kongnguen Chounlamounty, Assistant
Director General of Department of Water Resources, followed by the introduction of all participants.
In the workshop there were two presentations, given by Dr. Phoumin Han, IWRMP Coordinator, and
Mr. Phetsamone Khanophet, Acting M-IWRMP Coordinator. The following are the key points that the
two presentations had covered:
Dr. Phoumin Han, IWRMP Coordinator focused on:
- The Capacity Development Action Plan For Implementation of the MRC procedures
- The content of Draft Capacity Development Action Plan (CDAPs)
Mr. Phetsamone Khanophet, Acting M-IWRMP Coordinator focused on:
- Review of the comments of the previous workshop in Savannakhet
- Check whether those comments have been added in the Draft Capacity Development Action
Plan (CDAPs)
Mr. Kongnguen Chounlamounty, Assistant Director General of Department of Water Resources,
officially closed the workshop at 4pm. He greatly appreciated all the comments made by the
participants and strongly believed that the workshop had produced constructive outcomes as needed
for the improvement of the Integrated Water Resources Management Programme (IWRMP).
25 representatives attended the workshop coming from: Department of Water Resources, MONRE;
Department Meteorology and Hydrology MONRE; Lao National Mekong Committee secretariat;
Environment and Social Impact Assessment, MONRE; Water Resources & Environment Research
Institute , Department Of Environment, MONRE, Department of Treaties and Law, MOFA;
Department Irrigation; Nat. center for Environmental health; Water Resources Environment Office,
Vengvieng District
3. The National Consultation Meeting on the River Basin Management in Lao PDR
To discuss on the overview and plan for improvement the River Basin Comittees (RBCs) in Lao PDR,
as well as enhancing the coordination for the RBC development and management, Lao PDR and ADB
organized The National Consultation Meeting on the River Basin Management on 27-28 October 2011
at the Nakhonsack Hotel, Vietniane Capital.
108 participants from involved sections join the
meeting chaired by Mr. Sisavath Vithaxay, Vice
Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment.
The Meeting performed with presentation of the
overview and plan for improvement the River
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Basin Comittees (RBCs) in Lao PDR, as well as enhancing the coordination for the RBC development
and management, the participants from both government and international organisation had
discussed and presented on issues and also provided the comments on the implementation of water
resources management in Lao PDR. The detailed context and outputs are shown in the next section.
Ouputs of meeting:
The water management in Lao PDR is improved and it becomes more systematic.
the coordination among RBCs has been enhancing continuously.
4. Survey and data collection in Xebanghieng river basin on Xechamphone Wetland and
Floodplain
Overview;
The DWR has Surveyed and data collection in Xebanghieng river basin on Xechamphone
Wetland and Floodplain on 1 - 3 November 2011 for support to preparation project proposal:
transboundary cooperation for river basin management between Lao PDR and Thailand.
The Objective of this activity;
To collect data on physical (size/topo/rivers); climate and hydrology; natural recourses;
livelihood, socio-economic in Xe Bang Hieng river basin.
To collect data in Xechamphone wetland: Location; Size (Areas and depth in wet and
dry seasons); Resources in the wetlands i.e. fish, forest, birds and other animal; Existing
issues and problems; Existing and plan of wetland management policy and
implementation or activities.
To collect data in Flood area (Location; Size (Areas and depth); Time and duration;
Cause and problems); Existing and plan of flood management policy and
implementation or activities in Xe Bang Hieng river basin.
To collect data on national policy related to RBC; Formulation of RBC; Role and
responsibility; Implementation
Output
To collated concern data in Xe Bang Hieng river basin; wetland area and flood area
To collated data on national policy of RBC
5. National Consultation Workshop on MRC IWRM Competencies Framwork
The MRC has discussed on core management functions of MRC, the river basin management
functions of MRC and Preparation for the MRC Strategic Plan 2011-2015.
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The definition of long term river basin management functions will therefore need to priories functions
that are central to the mandate and purpose of the MRC. In order to implement the river basin
management core function of MRC, the MRC with the support of the regional ICBP team, has develop
the MRC Competencies framework for capacity development for MRC in transition to a world class
river basin management organization for each categories.
This framework is very important for both national and regional level. Regarding the national ICBP
work plan, this framework can play a crucial role in the implementation of activities in component 1
of the programme.
Therefore, it is necessary to take opportunities to the signatory countries in providing
comments/feedback. In addition, resulting from the Regional ICBP Coordination Meeting on 26-27
May 2011, the meeting suggested that the national consultative meeting on IWRM competency
framework should be organized in the four member countries in order to look for the measurable
technical and managerial competencies in each country through national ICBP work plan. In this
context, the ICBP regional team has agreed with LNMC ICBP team to national consultative workshop
on MRC Competencies Framework which will take place on 11 November 2011 at Vangvieng District,
Vientiane province.
Objective
To emphasis the Integrated Water Resource Management principles as well as the
importance of having high quality IWRM human resource and the necessary skills
and knowledge so to adopt and implement IWRM principles and policies, in
alignment with the MRC Strategic Plan 2011-2015 and the MRC processes of
riparianisation and decentralization as well as the implementation of MRC
Procedures
To introduce the initiative MRC IWRM competency framework and the associated
assessment tools in order to receive constructive feedback from concerned Line
Ministries and LNMC’s Networks
To discuss and measurable competencies which could be applied to LNMC, LAs and
relevant bodies in the context of Laos
Ouputs
Shared understanding and knowledge on Integrated Water Resource Management,
and the importance of the IWRM Competencies Framework.
Discussed methodology, work plan and road map for further applying the
Competencies Framework at the national level (NMC and related line agencies)
36 participants from DWR/LNMCS and related line agencies.
6. The 2nd National Consultation Meeting to Formulate Project Proposal: Transboundary
Cooperation for River Basin Management between Lao PDR and Thailand, On 21 Nevember
2011, At Savanhnaket Province.
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The Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project (M-IWRM-Project) (henceforth, “the
Project”) has been developed by MRC with the support of the Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAID) and the WB.
The project objective is to improve the enabling framework and capacity for IWRM in the LMB
Countries and strengthen the role of MRC as the facilitator of significant water resources
development, guided by IWRM principles.
A part of project components, the trans-boundary component which enables the joint planning,
management and implementation of trans-boundary projects to be piloted through specific initiatives
between riparian countries will be financed by WB. The project proposals are planned for appraisal in
the end of 2010. Therefore, this concept note was prepared based on discussion in the 1 trans-
boundary meeting between Lao PDR and Thailand on 29 July 2011 at Pattaya, Thailand in order to
initial scope of country’s interests to use it as a basis to facilitate in preparation of project document.
The consultation meeting organized by Department of Water Resources on 21 November 2011, in
Savanhnaket Province, with the objective is; To provide information and direction for the provincial
and districts involved on the Wetland and Floodplain Management and to seek their needs and
inputs for updating and improvement of the draft project proposal
Ouputs
Increased knowledge and understand of provincial and districts Water Resources and
Environment Offices (WREO) and other sectors involved in case of the Wetland and Floodplain
Management which will be guideline for their implementation responsibilities.
Identified local situations and needs/inputs for their implementation in order to address the
problems as appropriate in each province.
Vietnam Water Partnership
Workshop on conflict resolution through IWRM for Food-Water-Energy Security
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Workshop on conflict resolution through IWRM for Food-Water-Energy Security on 29th November
2011 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
A workshop was organized with the participation of related partners and stakeholders to discuss
about the issues and challenges in conflict resolution and possible solutions through Integrated Water
Resources Management ensuring Food-Water-Energy Security.
The workshop attended by 47 participants and agreed that;
1. Conflicts are existing in water resources protection and exploitation in the whole country and
increasing day by day.
The workshop presentations are convinced by the new concepts of conflict and conflict
management in the world as well as examples of conflicts occur in transboundary Rivers and in-
country rivers between water resources uses and protection.
The issues on conflict resolution were raised in the workshop as following:
- The conflict concept translates in to Vietnamese is “xung dot”. As such, it is suitable or not in
the context of Vietnam. In reality, conflict is resulted from disputes normally.
- Conflicts in water resources management in Vietnam has not been addressed methodically.
For river basins, although River Basin Organizations were established at some large river
basins. However, they have no role in conflict resolution.
- The water governance in Vietnam is diversity very much at present. This leads to water
resources management ineffectively. In addition, the agency who is responsibility for national
water resources management has limited capacity in terms of human resources. Therefore, it
needs to review again in order to establish a more effective water resources governance
agency.
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- Hydro power development is potential for conflicts occurrence in almost river basins in
North, Central and South of Vietnam. However, to ensure for economic growth, the
government is giving priority to generate electricity rather than other water use sectors.
Therefore, operational regulation of reservoirs is also considered for generating electricity.
- Planning for multi-purpose reservoir development is not proper attention. At present,
planning for reservoir development is designated for electrical agencies. Therefore, it is
mainly consider for electric generation purpose.
- The flow regime has been changing recently, it is unpredictable water input. So it’s difficult
for reservoir operation.
- There is no hydrometeorology data for the whole river basins which originate from China.
Reservoir operation regulation is formulated based on the country data. Therefore, reservoir
operation is not high efficiency.
- In transboundary river basins, conflict resolution is normally through negotiation. It’s
difficult for conflict resolution in Red river and Mekong river basin because the upstream is
belongs to China but China doesn’t share data on upstream activities.
Participants assessed, the workshop was held in
the suitable time and it’s very significant in the
context of increasing challenges and pressure on
water resources day by day. While, Vietnam has
not yet have a legal framework and an
intermediary for conflict resolution effectively.
Participants suggested experts who work
internationally to take advantages opportunities
of international cooperation to collect data of
river basins which originate from China to
supplement for national water resources data.
WEST AFRICA