monthly report of the global water partnership …...2 newsflow no more business as usual rising...

26
Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership February 2011 Table of contents NewsFlow ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 GWP in the News ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. GWP Regions ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 CARIBBEAN............................................................................................................................................................. 7 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE........................................................................................................................ 11 CENTRALAMERICA .............................................................................................................................................. 13 CHINA .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 SOUTH AMERICA.................................................................................................................................................. 16 SOUTH ASIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 18 SOUTHEAST ASIA ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Upload: others

Post on 19-Mar-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

Monthly Report of

the Global Water Partnership

February 2011

Table of contents

NewsFlow ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 GWP in the News ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. GWP Regions ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 CARIBBEAN ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE ........................................................................................................................ 11 CENTRALAMERICA .............................................................................................................................................. 13 CHINA .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 SOUTH AMERICA .................................................................................................................................................. 16 SOUTH ASIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 18 SOUTHEAST ASIA ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Page 2: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

2

NewsFlow

No More Business as Usual

Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

Sri Lanka, on February 24-25, 2011. How water is managed is central to both issues.

More than 70 practitioners and researchers attended the workshop, ‚Climate Change, food, and water

security: Identifying critical issues and exploring cooperative strategies in an age of increased risk and

uncertainty for South Asia.‛ The workshop was a joint initiative of the Global Water Partnership

(GWP) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Participants came from

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the international community.

“If there was one clear message from the workshop, it was that business as usual will not do,” said Dr. Mohamed Ait-Kadi, Chair of the GWP Technical Committee. Read more: http://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-in-action/News-and-Activities/No-More-Business-as-Usual-in-Face-of-Climate-Change-and-Food-Security/ Media reports: Making every drop count for regional water security (Daily Mirror) http://print.dailymirror.lk/opinion1/37349.html Water: A fast depreciating resource (Daily Mirror) http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/37536.html

Climate Change and South Asian Women

‚Water Security and Climate Change ‒ Challenge for South Asian Women‛ was the topic of a meeting

on February 2 organised by GWP Sri Lanka and its partner NetWater. Among the 60 participants

were representatives from government, NGOs, and environmental experts. First Lady Madam

Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapakse was the chief guest together with climate expert and Nobel

Laureate and Founder of the Munasinghe Institute of Development Prof. Mohan Munasinghe who

delivered the keynote address.

http://www.womenforwater.org/openbaar/index.php

GWP contributes to UNECE transboundary process The assessment of transboundary water cooperation in Central and Western Europe was the topic of a

subregional workshop in Budapest on February 8-10, 2011, organized by the Ministry of Rural

Development of Hungary, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in

cooperation with the International Water Assessment Centre (IWAC).

The workshop was an important step in the process of preparations of the second Assessment of

Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Ground waters in the UNECE region for the Seventh Ministerial

Conference Environment for Europe in September. GWP representatives were Regional Chair

Martina Zupan, Regional Council Member Boris Minarik and Knowledge Management Officer Danka

Thalmeinerova. Read more. link to remainder of story on website:

Page 3: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

3

The second Assessment is an important part of the programme of work for 2010-2012 of the Convention on the

Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). It has an

ambition to provide a conclusive picture of the state of transboundary waters and to identify joint priorities and

challenges. It wants to stimulate further action by governments, river basin organizations, the international

community, including donors, and relevant non-governmental organizations.

More than 50 participants from nine countries of West and Central Europe, the EU Commission, UN

organizations, NGOs and specialized institutes discussed common issues for transboundary water

management, such as diffuse pollution and land use, ecosystems approach and ecosystem services. Most of the

discussion focused on monitoring systems that become to be more compatible due to the same requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, which is a good signal for future potential planning. However, most of the presentations were fragmented and did not capture a “transboundary” dimension of the assessed basins. Country representatives did separate presentations of the same (transboundary) groundwater body. Although there is progress in cooperation at transboundary basins regarding the exchange of monitoring data, alert and prevention systems, there is a lack of coordinated planning, implementing and assessment of impact at transboundary basins. It was concluded that international agreements including the EU Water Framework Directive are worthy gestures and expression of political will, but that the implementation of programs will need to happen at national levels with limited coordination with neighbourhood countries. For more information: http://www.unece.org/env/water/meetings/Budapest_assessment_workshop.html

GWP El Salvador part of climate change dialogue

GWP El Salvador, together with the National Foundation for Development and Lutheran World

Relief, organised the National Forum on Climate Change in San Salvador on 23-24 February 2011. The

forum was part of a process, begun in 2010, to provide civil society input to the government’s

development of the National Climate Change Plan and Policy for El Salvador on climate change

adaptation. Opportunities, challenges and strategic actions were discussed by about 50

representatives from a wide variety of stakeholders.

Building capacity among water users in Rajasthan

The New State Water Policy of Rajasthan, the largest state in India by area, puts the emphasis on two

components: an integrated water resources management approach and the efficient working of Water

User Groups (WUG). During 2010, GWP India with the support of its Northern Zone Water Partner,

organized two workshops for the capacity building of NGOs involved in the implementation of the

new policy.

In January-February 2011, GWP India did an extensive review of the policy, concluding that the

IWRM concept and principles are widely debated and its success is questionable on many counts.

A WUG focus requires a lot of effort on the part of the State and the people. Whether the WUGs will

be a legal entity with powers to own and manage village water resources remains to be answered.

NGOs play a significant role in the formation and functioning of these groups because they are good

at mobilization but they lack policy analysis and understanding of IWRM.

After the review, GWP India decided to enhance the capacity of NGOs, farmers, WUGs and the

administrative officers of the State Government who are the key stakeholders in the planning,

implementation and administration of the water resources projects and implementation of IWRM.

Workshops are scheduled to take place in April-June 2011.

Water and finance go hand in hand Since 2007, GWP and the EU Water Initiative Finance Working Group (EUWI-FWG) have worked

Page 4: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

4

together to organise workshops across the world to raise awareness and build capacity on financing for water and sanitation. “Water professionals are often unaware or uncomfortable in getting involved in finance,” said Alan Hall, GWP Senior Advisor and Chair of EUWI-FWG. “They prefer to remain in the technical field. However, water lacks funding and unless water professionals become familiar with finance, water will remain as an underfunded and neglected sector. While water experts should not try to become bankers, they do need to be able to negotiate with financiers and appreciate the different sources and range of instruments available to increase the pot of funds,” said Hall.

To respond to this need, EUWI-FWG has produced a new publication, Financing for Water and Sanitation – A Primer for Practitioners and Students in Developing Countries, published by GWP as a knowledge partner.

To hear about new publications and other news before it is published in NewsFlow, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and subscribe to our blog. (insert hyperlinks) Meet our Partners GWP is a network of more than 2,300 partners. Here is an interview with Bruce Lauckner, Head of Strategic Alliances at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI). http://www.gwp.org/en/About-GWP/The-network/Partners/meet-our-partners/Caribbean-Agricultural-Research-and-Development-Institute/ Get involved. Join our network! Follow GWP and Join us on

People

New Director at Cap-Net

Dr Bekithemba Gumbo is the new Director of Cap-Net, one of GWP’s strategic allies and close

collaborator. Dr Gumbo succeeds Dr Paul Taylor who is retiring. Dr Gumbo holds a PhD in water

and sanitation and worked for four years as water and sewerage engineer for the City of Bulawayo,

Zimbabwe. In his most recent assignment Dr Gumbo was Project Manager for a Southern Africa

Development Community regional water demand management programme. www.cap-net.org

ToolBox case study of the month Transboundary: Opportunities and challenges for the share management of Watersheds; the Trifinio Plan for the Upper Lempa (#394), available in English and Spanish, http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=283&Itemid=41

GWP in the news Making every drop count for regional water security (Daily Mirror) http://print.dailymirror.lk/opinion1/37349.html Water: A fast depreciating resource (Daily Mirror) http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/37536.html

Page 5: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

5

B850m grid study budget under fire, GWP Thailand gives expert advice: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/225377/b850m-grid-study-budget-under-fire Food crisis imminent in W/Africa, warns Oxfam, http://www.inlng.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=28782 Lagos eyes financial boom from climate doom http://www.inlng.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=28784 Coming events

22 March 2011, World Water Day 2011 - “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenges” http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/wwd2011mailer.html

12-13 April 2011 Second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins: challenges, progress and lessons learnt, Geneva, Switzerland http://www.unece.org/env/water/meetings/transboundary_climate_adaptation_workshop.html

13-17 June, 2011, Water Diplomacy Workshop. Applications are due April 15, 2011, Tufts University, Medford, USA 20-24 June 2011, National Water Law: Managing Global Water Resources: Symposium and Workshop 2011, IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, UK

New Resources

Financing for Water and Sanitation – A Primer for Practitioners and Students in Developing

Countries, published by the GWP knowledge partner EU Water Initiative (Finance Working Group).

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/images/stories/Docs/euwi%20fwg%20primer%20on%20financing%20201

1.pdf

Results from Dialogs for Water and Climate Change (D4WCC) were held from December 1 to 8,

2010 during COP 16:

http://www.d4wcc.org.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=33&lang=en

Short educational film about how to manage water resources in an integrated way:

http://vimeo.com/10328536 Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) on the topic of “Integrated Water Resource Management in the context of Developing and Transition Countries”. http://www.ahb.bfh.ch/ahb/en/Weiterbildung/cas/

Master's degree in Water Security at the University of East Anglia - October 2011,

www.uea.ac.uk/dev/courses/msc-water-security-and-international-development

The Impacts of the Global Financial Crisis on the Water Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SIWI)

http://www.siwi.org/documents/Resources/Reports/Report28_Global_Financial_Crisis_WEB.pdf

Integrating Water Resources Management – Interdisciplinary Methodologies and Strategies in Practice by IWA Publishing, http://www.iwapublishing.com/template.cfm?name=isbn9781843393252

"Risk Analysis of Water Pollution" http://www.inweb.gr/riskbook/ Water in the News

The World is One Poor Harvest Away from Chaos, http://www.earth-policy.org/books/wote

Page 6: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

6

Water shortages loom for Durban http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/water-shortages-loom-for-durban-1.1036749

Projected Water Wars in South Asia http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=79658

How to combat water scarcity in China http://www.koreaherald.com/opinion/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110306000288

Former Water Affairs DG calls for interventions now to avert water crisis

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/focus-on-priority-interventions--muller-2011-03-04

Water DataBase Project: Quantis Creates Database to Help Companies Manage Their Impact on Water Resources http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/water-database-project-quantis-creates-database-to-help-companies-manage-their-impact-on-water-resources-117307703.html

Demand our fair share of carbon space

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=135750

Avoiding Water Wars: Water Scarcity and Central Asia's Growing Importance for Stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SNAA-8EBSP7?OpenDocument

SA metros heading for water crisis: expert http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article923271.ece/SA-metros-heading-for-water-crisis--expert, http://www.newstime.co.za/SouthAfrica/South_African_Metros_Heading_For_Major_Water_Crisis_In_2020/21103/

Water crisis by 2020 http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article913892.ece/Water-crisis-by-2020

Page 7: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

7

GWP Regions

CARIBBEAN

Activities of Partners

Challenges in Groundwater Purification in Suriname

On February 7th-11th, 2011, the Caribbean Water Association (CWA) and Oasen Drinking Water

organised a five-day training program about ‘Challenges in groundwater purification in Suriname’ in

conjunction with the Suriname Water Supply Company (SWM) and Global Water Partnership-

Caribbean’s (GWP-C’s) partner, the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS).

The course instructors were Mr. Ruud Kolpa (Oasen) and Mr. Weren de Vet (Oasen/TUDelft), assisted

by Mr. A. Salmin and Dr. Riad Nurmohamed of AdeKus. About 25 persons from the SWM, the

Ministry of Natural Resources, AdeKUS, and Aqualectra, the national water utility company of

Curaçao, participated in the training workshop which was held at the Anton de Kom University of

Suriname, Faculty of Technology.

The training consisted of theoretical and practical sessions as well as field trips. Topics discussed in

the training course included: water quality and standards; aeration, filtration; lime-carbonate relation;

soften; conditioning; groundwater wells and threats; membrane filtration; and oxidation.

During the practical sessions, working groups were given assignments on conditioning; aeration and

filtration; and the formulation of a master plan for a drinking water supply. Participants were taken

on field trips to drinking water supply stations in the areas of Leysweg and Blauwgrond in Suriname.

Explanations about the processes and problems at these stations were given by experts of the SWM.

On the last day of the workshop, participants presented their master plans for Suriname.

Course instructors and participants during

the training workshop.

Participants seen here in working group

sessions at the workshop.

Page 8: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

8

Outputs of the training workshop:

Participants have gained extra knowledge about new technologies for drinking water supply

systems under different conditions (coastal and inland/river systems).

Participants are able to identify practical problems at stations and suggest measures to be

undertaken.

Participants are able to make basic calculations for conditioning, aeration and filtration.

Participants are able to set up a master plan for a drinking water supply.

Successful participants received a certificate, a book entitled ‚Drinking Water: Principles and

Practices‛, and a CD with all the course materials.

Further information on this workshop can be requested from Dr. Riad Nurmohamed via e-mail at

[email protected].

Field visit to the water supply station in

Leysweg.

Participants seen here during the field visit to

the water supply station in Leysweg.

Presentation of certificates being made by

the Directors of CWA and SWM.

Workshop participants and guests.

Page 9: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

9

Agriculturalists holds Water Management Symposium in Trinidad

The Association of Professional Agricultural Scientists of Trinidad and Tobago (APASTT) held a

Water Management Symposium at the University of the West Indies on January 29 2011.

Two of the four panelists were prominent members of Global Water Partnership – Caribbean (GWP-

C), namely Dr Lester Forde and Dr Floyd Homer. The other panelists were the Director of the Water

Resources Agency of Trinidad and Tobago Marilyn Crichlow and environmental activist and

APASTT member, Dr Peter Vine.

After presentations by the panelists a lively discussion took place between the panelists and the other

meeting attendants.

Lester Forde introduced the audience to the concept of ‚Integrated Water Resource Management‛

(IWRM) and explained that GWP was formed to promote IWRM. Floyd Homer gave a clear

description of the term ‚Water Use Efficiency‛ and stated that farmers in Trinidad need to have a

better understanding of how much water to apply to their crops.

Peter Vine spoke about the need to have a good understanding of water management issues and the

need to utilise information from studies which have been done over the years. He was critical of poor

planning for the layout and management of the 2 acre plots given out to former Caroni Sugar

Workers in Trinidad.

Marilyn Crichlow talked about the need for farmers to understand that they need to pay for water as

it is very expensive to catch and distribute water. For example, the Trinidad and Tobago Water and

Sewerage Authority (WASA) is the biggest consumer of electricity in the country.

Some other points that arose during the discussion:

Ground water extraction needs to be carefully managed to prevent depletion; also

agricultural activity can cause pollution of ground water supplies.

In the agricultural sector, livestock are also important users of water and a potential polluter

of supplies.

Retention water systems such as ponds can help with water for agriculture, but they can be

costly to build, need plenty of maintenance and, if badly designed, can interfere with ground

water.

Political interference often frustrates good water governance.

Water rates in Trinidad are very low, but everybody ends up paying the true cost of water

when the taxpayer has to cover WASA’s debts.

Much more public education is needed on management of water.

In the very rich discussions many more points were raised, but two key words were

identified by Peter Vine during his summing up at the end of the meeting. These are ‚coordination‛

and ‚participation‛.

The different agencies and stakeholders who use water need to come together in a participatory

manner for a coordinated approach to Water Management. In rural areas people are more inclined

Page 10: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

10

that those in urban areas to get together and solve problems; farmers need to participate and

coordinate to help to manage their water needs.

Coming Events

National Media Workshop on IWRM -

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) is collaborating with its partner the Water and

Sewerage Authority (WASA) / Water Resources Agency (WRA) to host a national media

workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on March 15th, 2011 in

Trinidad. The workshop which targets media practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago aims to

teach them about the key principles of IWRM and provide them with the necessary tools to

report on IWRM and related issues. GWP-C hosted a similar IWRM workshop in Barbados in

December 2010 for regional journalists.

St. Lucia Water Week -

GWP-C along with some of its partners will be involved in various activities within the

upcoming St. Lucia Water Week which takes place from March 20th-25th, 2011. The regional

event will commemorate World Water Day 2011 which takes place on March 22nd. The Water

Week seeks to raise public awareness on the value of water and waste water in our lives and

development at all levels. GWP-C will host two (2) events within the St. Lucia Water Week:

A training workshop on Hydro-Climatic Hazards in Water Resources Management -

Caribbean WaterNet in collaboration with CapNet and GWP-C will host a training

workshop on ‘Hydro-Climatic Hazards in Water Resources Management.’ The course is

aimed at building the capacity of water managers; disaster managers; Non-

Governmental Organisations (NGOs; Community-Based Organisations (CBOs); and

others to address water resources management and Disaster Risk Reduction needs.

A seminar on ‘An IWRM Perspective of the Impact of Hurricane Tomas on the

Caribbean’ - GWP-C in collaboration with Water Engineering and Pipeline Company

Limited WEPCO of St. Lucia will co-host a half-day seminar focusing on the impact

of Hurricane Tomas on the Caribbean, and specifically on the water-related impacts

across sectors. The seminar is targeted at local and regional experts in the areas of

IWRM; disaster management; climate change; environmental management;

meteorology; and engineering to discuss the policy, legislative and institutional

requirements for Disaster Risk Reduction from an IWRM perspective.

Children’s Water Education Workshop -

GWP-C’s partner, the Women, Gender and Water Network will host a Children’s Water Education

Workshop on March 22nd, 2011 in Trinidad to commemorate World Water Day. The workshop

falls within the framework of the Project ‘Water for Life: The Trinidad and Tobago Initiative’ launched

in September 2009, which aims to deliver safe drinking water systems to school children and rural

communities in Trinidad and Tobago. The Water for Life Project is funded by a three-year

renewable grant from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Blue Water Project.

Page 11: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

11

In 2010 the Women, Gender and Water Network received a grant from the Royal Bank of Canada

(RBC) under the Blue Water Project to conduct a ‘Water for Life Children’s Vacation Camp

Programme’ in three (3) rural communities in Trinidad. The 3 camps targeted children between the

ages of 8-12 to teach them more about water; its use and management; and hygiene and

sanitation. Based on the success of the Camp Programme, RBC is interested in supporting the

Programme this year and has also agreed that the number of camps will be increased from 3 to 9.

The Children’s Water Education Workshop is directly related to the ‘Water for Life Children’s

Vacation Camp Programme’ and its aim of creating greater awareness on water and sanitation

among children in rural communities in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 6th Annual General Meeting of GWP-C

The 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of GWP-C will take place on Friday, April 29th, 2011

in Barbados.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

On behalf of GWP CEE, Galia Bardarska (Regional Council Member) participated in the second

Equitable Access to Water Workshop held under UNECE/WHO EURO Protocol on Water and Health

in Paris on 27-28 January 2011. Goal of the workshop was to draft outline of Good Practices Document

on promoting equitable access to drinking water and sanitation. The document will be presented by

UNECE, WHO and the French government at the Sixth World Water Forum in Marseille in 2012.

GWP CEE will contribute with case studies and address challenges related to affordability of water

and sanitation under different national conditions. For more information

http://www.gwpceeforum.org/?page=9&action=view&id=390

Galia Bardarska (Regional Council Member) presented sustainable sanitation experiences in CEE

region at the conference Protection of environment and production of clean energy – good practices in

wastewater treatment and energy generation by biomass (sludge) on 22 February 2011 in Sofia. European

Parliament and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe sponsored the event. European

Commission, experts and Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water Ivelina Vassileva presented

implementation of Wastewater Directive 91/271/EEC. About 100 participants from municipalities,

ministries, NGOs discussed use of more affordable technologies, suitable for small settlements; as

well as how to close waste loop and use by-products of waste water treatment (sludge) in production

of biogas. As a result, Mayor of Lulin village invited GWP Bulgaria experts to solve wastewater

problem in the municipality.

Martina Zupan (Regional Chair), János Fehér (Regional Council Member) and Danka Thalmeinerova

(Knowledge Management Officer) participated in subregional workshop on transboundary water

cooperation in Central and Western Europe on 8-10 February in Budapest. The workshop was a

crucial step in the process of preparations of the second Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes

and Groundwaters in the UNECE region for the Seventh Ministerial Conference Environment for

Europe (21-23 September 2011, Astana, Kazakhstan). The workshop was organized as one of the

events of Hungary’s EU Presidency by the Ministry of Rural Development of Hungary and the

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, in cooperation with the International Water

Assessment Centre (IWAC). For more information:

http://www.unece.org/env/water/meetings/Budapest_assessment_workshop.html

Page 12: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

12

Liviu Nicolae Popescu (Regional Council Member) participated in Water &Process Technologies

Technical Seminar on 23 February 2011 in Bucharest. General Electric (GE) Power and Water Division

organized the event. GE offers mobile container (truck) solutions combining the different waste water

treatments phases for short term, accident or regular long term use. GWP Romania raised issue of

using such facilities for water supply and sanitation for remote rural areas with small and dispersed

communities. In CEE realities, this can be an intermediate solution for certain areas, until pending

issues (property rights, permitting, large Roma population, etc.) are solved. For more information:

www.ge.com/water

Mobile waste water treatment can be an intermediate solution for rural areas. Credit: Liviu Nicolae Popescu

Milan Matuska (Regional Coordinator) and Richard Muller (Communication Officer) participated in

The European environment – state and outlook 2010 (SOER 2010) seminar organized by European

Environment Agency, Slovak Environment Agency and Ministry of Environment on 8 February in

Bratislava. SOER 2010 is aimed primarily at policymakers, in Europe and beyond, involved with

framing and implementing policies that could support environmental improvements in Europe. For

more information: http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/what-is/what-is-soer-2010

Monika Jetzin (GWP Hungary) and Richard Muller (Communication Officer) participated in Danube

Art Master planning meeting at International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River

(ICPDR) in Vienna on 24 February. In 2011 ICPDR for the first time entrusted GWP CEE to coordinate

Danube Art Master competition in 14 countries of the Danube region. National competitions will be

organized from May to July followed by award ceremony for national winners in September 2011 in

Budapest.

Slovenian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for International Development Cooperation and

Humanitarian Assistance invited GWP Slovenija to cooperate in technical assistance projects in

Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova and Cape Verde. This will not bring a direct financial support for

GWP Slovenija, however, in the future Moldova may receive support provided by Slovenian

government. GWP Slovenija started preparation for Danube Art Master and Water Detective

Competition 2011. This year, events planned around Day of Sava and Danube Day will be held

together.

János Fehér (Regional Council Member) participated in the final Steering Committee Meeting of

GEF/UNDP project Promoting Replication of Good Practices for Nutrient Reduction and Joint Collaboration

Page 13: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

13

in Central and Eastern Europe Living Water Exchange in Bratislava, Slovakia on 4 February 2011. On

behalf of GWP CEE he was a member of the project Steering Committee since 2008. János Fehér

informed the Steering Committee about a possibility to document results of the project and selected

demo projects in GWP ToolBox.

Regional newsletter Water Talk 2/2010 was published. To view and download, click here (PDF, 1.27

MB).

CENTRALAMERICA

National Forum on Climate Change held in El Salvador

The 23rd and 24th of February 2011, GWP El Salvador, the National

Foundation for Development (FUNDE, by the Spanish acronym)

and Lutheran World Relief (LWR), held the National Forum on

Climate Change in San Salvador, El Salvador, having the

participation of near 50 people, among them representatives of

institutions from the public and private sectors, cooperation

entities, NGOs, research centers, academia and territorial

organizations.

The objective of the Forum was to generate a space of dialogue and

understanding among the different national and territorial

stakeholders, about the situation of climate change in El Salvador,

the actual opportunities and challenges, and to discuss strategic

actions to be considered in the process of construction of the

National Climate Change Plan and Policy in El Salvador, that

actually is being conducted by the government.

The Forum was held under the frame of the project ‚Promoting an Alliance between Local

Organizations around Climate

Change in El Salvador‛, with the

goal to open a space of dialogue and

discussion between the government

and civil society about the guidelines

for a climate change adaptation

agenda. GWP El Salvador, FUNDE

and LWR want to generate and

follow-up the climate change process

that the country needs.

GWP Honduras supported the realization of a workshop on Bioarena filters

Participants of the Forum. Picture by GWP El Salvador

Mr. Enrique Merlos,

Chair of GWP El

Salvador. Picture by GWP

El Salvador

Page 14: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

14

GWP Honduras was a contributing partner in the

organization of the Workshop on

Implementation Projects of Bioarena Filters, held

in Valle de Angeles, Honduras, from the 31st

January to the 4th of February. The objective of

the Workshop was to give conceptual and

practical tools to the participants to build drink

water filters.

This workshop was an initiative of the Centre for

Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology

(CAWST) and Pure Water for the World, a

partner organization of GWP. The participants

were from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and El

Salvador.

This Bioarena filters is an alternative technology useful in

the Central American context that contributes to improve

the quality of water consume by the families in the rural

areas, and to give a low cost alternative to disinfect

water.

Chair of GWP will visit Honduras

Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, Chair of GWP, will visit Honduras having as

objective to sign the understanding agreement between GWP

Central America and the Central American Bank of Economic

Integration (CABEI).

A formal event with the participation of the national press will be

held during the afternoon of March 22, strategic date when it’s

celebrated the World Water Day.

CHINA

1. Meeting between GWP China and TNC

On February 14, Mr. Wang Shucheng, Chair of GWP China, with the company of Mr. Zheng Rugang,

Coordinator of GWP China, met Mr. David Harrison, Former Chairman and Senior Water Resource

Consultant of TNC and Ms. Guo Qiaoyu, Yangtze River Project Manager of TNC.

The two organizations exchanged views on the research of the ecological compensation of

hydropower project of the Yangtze River. As a long-term friendly partner, TNC has always

Mr. Sergio Núñez, Chair of GWP El

Honduras. Picture by GWP Honduras

Participants of the Workshop. Picture by GWP

Honduras

Dr. Letitia A. Obeng,

Chair of GWP

Page 15: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

15

participated in all events, including HLRT, organized by GWP China. Two sides agreed to develop

new forms in the future, such as cooperation on research programme and etc.

2. The 3rd Conference of the 2nd GWP China Council

The meeting of the 3rd Conference of the 2nd GWP China Council was held in Beijing on February 16,

2011. Chaired by Mr. Wang Shucheng, thirty-one council members and the staff of GWP China

Secretariat reviewed the annual report of GWP China and work report of each provincial/river basin

partnership. The council meeting also addressed by Mr. Liu Zhiguang, Deputy Director of

Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology of Ministry of Water Resources

(MWR).

Fig. The 3rd Conference of the 2nd GWP China Council Meeting

Upon the annual report of GWP China, the members delivered constructive commends. Under

guidance of MWR and GWPO, GWP China, jointly with provincial and river basin partnerships and

its partners, completed all plans and achieved annual targets of 2010. The council board gave full

affirmation to the GWP China Secretariat and its remarkable achievements in 2010 which would rely

on better capacity-building of the organization, stronger personal ability of the Secretariat staff and

more capacity of raising fund.

According to the final decision of the meeting, the work of GWP China in 2011 must be conducted

after the <Decision on Speeding up the Reform and Development in Water Sector >, Document No.1

of the Central Government, 2011. GWP China should work hard on the research of scientific

development and support the top stringent management system of water resources to further

promote IWRM and adapt to climate change challenges.

3. Workshop on Climate Change, Food and Water Security in South-Asia

The Workshop on Climate Change, Food and Water Security in South-Asia was jointly held by GWP

and IWMI in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 24-25 February 2011. There were 74 representatives from GWP,

IWMI, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, China, India, Pakistan, Bengal, Sri Lanka, Nepal and

Page 16: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

16

other Mid-Asian countries and regions. 30 reports were presented and discussed by the presenter and

audiences on the workshop.

On behalf of GWP China, Dr. Gao Zhanyi, TEC Member of GWP China, was invited to the workshop

and presented a report ‚IWRM in China‛. The presentation of Dr. Gao illustrated water resources and

management of water in China and also further expanded relevant water issues and management

measures regarding climate change and food security. His speech was compelling to participants and

interactively discussed afterwards. The discussion between Dr. Gao and audiences involved South-

North Water Division Project, water pricing policies, participation of water users, irrigation

development and water saving issues.

SOUTH AMERICA

1) A cycle is completed in Argentina with the approval of Glacier Protection Act

The National Minimum Standards Law for the Protection of

Glaciers and Periglacial environment was approved in

Argentina on September 30th 2010 by the National Senate,

culminating by this way a participatory process initiated last year

in Mendoza and other provinces, where GWP Argentina

facilitated the debate and discussions and provided technical

expertise on of integrated water management issues.

The content of the National Law 26,418, better known as the ‚Glaciers Law‛ was widely debated

among various representatives of the scientific, private and groups, responding to a demand of a

large number of organizations, assemblies and citizens, and making important agreements such as

the inclusion of systems for Environmental Impact assessment and Strategic Environmental

assessment; as well as the implementation of a national inventory, in order to identify protected areas

and prohibit or regulate activities that affect them.

The Law on Protection of the Glaciers, which aims to preserve fresh water reserves and mountain

ecosystems, is part of a process which started last year at the provincial level. One of the provincial

results was the enactment of the of Land Management and Land Use Act in Mendoza, a legislation

pioneer in incorporating the concept of integrated river basin management as a basic unit and one of

the strategic priorities for land management (IWRM vision). This legislation had a significant

contribution from GWP Argentina since the beginning, through advice provided via the Users’

Council of Mendoza river, exchanges and meetings with provincial legislative authorities and the

State Council for Strategic Development, sectoral body created by the new law, and in which GWP

Argentina is a member of.

The full text of the document (in Spanish) can be downloaded here

http://www.gwpsudamerica.org/noticias_interna.asp?seq=377

Photo: Glaciar Perito Moreno, Argentina.

2) New communication channels for GWP South America

Last year, GWP Venezuela (AveAgua) has launched a blog in addition to its website, and joined the

Page 17: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

17

major social networks (Twitter and Facebook). In these days the first newsletter came out in a further

step to raise awareness on IWRM and local and international news related to water issues.

For its part, GWP Argentina and GWP Brazil have already finished their web pages on February,

completing the channels of information for country water partnerships in South America.

Links: web GWP Argentina: http://www.gwpargentina.org

GWP Brasil: http://www.uff.br/gwpbrasil/

Page 18: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

18

3) GWP celebrates World Water Day in South America

The celebration of World Water Day every March 22nd aims to attract

public attention worldwide through raising awareness activities

regarding the conservation and development of water resources. Some

countries are already carrying out activities on this topic.

GWP Venezuela (AveAgua) is planning a series of activities embedded

in the framework of the project ‚Water for cities, responding to the urban challenge‛, which covers at

least 3 cities and will last one week. The objective of this project is to encourage governments,

organizations, communities and individuals to participate actively to meet the challenge of urban

water management, promoting a purely technical debate on drinking water and wastewater in cities,

aiming to promote a proper compliance with the management of water resources by the national

authorities and public and private organizations with interest and expertise in this field.

This activity also attempts to raise awareness among children and youth groups around the

conservation and efficient water use of water, and give advice about efficient use of water to key

audiences, through social media.

The details of each activity can be found on this [link]

http://www.gwpsudamerica.org/noticias_interna.asp?seq=384&utm_source=Miembros+GWP+Sudam

%C3%A9rica&utm_campaign=8db55a7bf2-3-Boletin_GWPSAm_02_2011&utm_medium=email

4) Coming events

April 13 - April 14, Bi-Annual General Assembly of GWP South America members

The General Assembly of members of GWP South America will take place between 13 and 14 April

2011 in Lima, Peru.

SOUTH ASIA

PART 1: REPORT BY GWP-SAS REGIONAL OFFICE

1. The GWP SAS Regional Office was actively involved in the organising of the GWP TEC - IWMI

Workshop on Climate Change, Food and Water Security held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on the 24 th

and 25th of February 2011. This workshop attended by 75 - 80 regional and global experts and

participants had over 30 presentations on related aspects and issues. Mr. Naseer Gillani, Chair,

Pakistan Water Partnership made a presentation on Flood and Drought Synergies while Dr.

Azharul Haq, Regional Council Member made a presentation on Ground Water Quality – Arsenic

Contamination in Bangladesh. Chair, GWP South Asia, Mr. Sardar Muhammad Tariq chaired the

session on Using the IWRM Approach in South Asia. Among others, the workshop accepted the

need for the establishment of a platform as a way forward to enable institutional and individual

Page 19: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

19

expert interaction on Climate Change, Food and Water Security issues and concluded that GWP

South Asia Network should lead this effort.

2. Chair, GWP SAS and the Regional Coordinator participated at a session of GWP TEC on

invitation on the 23rd of February and made a presentation on the GWP South Asia achievements

and its anticipated role in the proposed virtual platform to service issues of Climate Change, Food

and Water Security to be established for the region.

3. GWP SAS also made a presentation to GWP Executive Secretary, Head of Network Operations,

GWPO and the Network Officer for the region on the activities undertaken by the Regional Office

since its establishment at IWMI in January 2010 on the 21st of February at IWMI. A report on the

implementation of GWP SAS Learning Review 2005 prepared by GWP SAS was also discussed.

4. A new Regional Coordinator for GWP South Asia was recruited in February and will take up

appointment from 1st May 2011. Mr K. A. U. S. Imbulana, the selected applicant is currently the

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources and has operational and

policy level experience of over 25 years in the water sector, including a period as a Research

Officer at IWMI. He is a Chartered Engineer and holds a Master’s Degree in Irrigation

Engineering from the Utah State University in USA.

PART 2: REPORT BY BANGLADESH WATER PARTNERSHIP (BWP)

1. Participation in Workshop on Developing Innovative Approaches for Management of Major

Irrigation Systems:

On 2 February 2011, Mr. Shahidul Hassan, President, BWP and Dr. K. Azharul Haq participated

in a workshop titled ‚Innovative Management of Major Irrigation Schemes‛ a TA Project funded

by the ADB. Mr. Nurul Islam, the Team Leader of the TA Project is also an EC Member of the

BWP. Dr. Madar Samad from IWMI also participated in the workshop and presented a paper on

the ‚International Perspective on Irrigation Management‛. Representatives from the ADB

including Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi also spoke in the inaugural session. The Honourable Ministers for

Agriculture, Water Resources and the Honourable State Minister for Water Resources was

present in the inaugural session as Chief and Special Guests respectively. Mr. Shaikh Md.

Wahiduzzaman, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources chaired the session. The TA project was

implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

Page 20: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

20

The keynote paper ‚Challenges Faced in Management of Major Irrigation Systems‛ was

presented by Mr. Abdul Latif Mia, the Project Director from BWDB. Five designated panellists

from home and abroad commented on the presentation. From workshop presentations and

discussion from the panellists and the floor, involvement of the private sector was considered as a

viable option. It was also recommended for pilot testing.

It may be mentioned here that the proposed GWP-ADB collaboration in Bangladesh will be a

follow up of this project. Dr. K. Azharul Haq had a discussion with Ms.Yasmin Siddiqi of ADB on

the status of GWP-ADB collaboration. Ms. Siddiqui informed that this was moving in the right

direction and the collaboration is expected to be finalized in the next few months.

2. Participation in Audit Report:

BWP staff assisted the Auditors to finalize the Audit Report for the year 2010 and forwarded to

GWP-SAS regional office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ms. Reba Paul, consultant to BWP provided

valuable assistance.

3. Participation in BAWiN Meeting:

BWP is a founding member of the Bangladesh Water Integrity Network. Mr. Shahidul Hassan,

President, BWP, Prof. Moniruzzam Mia, Vice-President, BWP and Dr. K. Azharul Haq, EC

Member, BWP and Ms. Reba Paul, Consultant, BWP attended a meeting of BAWiN on 10 th

February 2011. The meeting discussed the possibility of holding a program on the occasion of the

World Water Day and BWP agreed to participate. It was also decided that as there will be many

other programs on the World Water Day, BAWiN event will be held during the later part of the

4th week of March.

4. Halda River AWP dissemination workshop on IWRM principles and importance of those

for future

water security:

A two part program to create awareness among the people of Halda River Basin was

implemented by Halda River Area Water Partnership and NOWZUAN, a local NGO. The Part I

of the program was held at a place called Madhuna Ghat on 20th February 2011. 50 Participants

from different stakeholder groups such as fishermen, businessmen, students, journalists,

government officers and NGOs participated in the discussion meeting to create awareness about

the importance of saving the Halda River from pollution, encroachment, etc. and to impress upon

the environmental and economic importance of Halda River. Mr. Kazi Md. Shafiul Alam,

Director, Family Planning was present as the Chief Guest and NOWZUAN Chief Executive, Mr.

M. H. Choudhury coordinated the program. The Chief Guest indicated that the Halda River is a

valuable resource of the country and government and non government organizations, civil

societies, stakeholders, all should join together and help protect the river and its surrounding

environment. Other speakers included Mr. Keshob Kumar Barua, President of the local press club

and President of Raozan Fisheries Society. The speakers echoed the sentiment of the Chief Guest

and emphasized the eco-friendly use of the immense opportunities offered by the Halda River.

Part II of the program was to create awareness through Folk Songs and Poetry presented by

renowned local Kabial (Rural Poet) Mr. Md. Abu Yusuf and his team. This program was staged

on 20th February 2011 which was presided over by Ms. Sazeda Choudhury, Vice-Chairman of

Raozan Upazilla. Mr. Zakir Hossain, Team Leader of Halda project and Mr. Md.Elias, President

of Halda Raksha (save) Committee were also present. The Kabial and his team presented the

glorious past of the river and called for the revitalization of the river through their songs and

Page 21: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

21

poetry. The large gathering attending the function went away with the message that for their

economic and social wellbeing, it was extremely important to protect the river from degradation.

It may be mentioned here that such ‚Kabials‛ are extensively used in rural Bangladesh as

messengers of public awareness programs and they are being effectively used in family planning

and HIV-AIDS prevention programs.

5. Climate Change, Food and Water Security Workshop:

Professor Ansarul Karim, Mr. Giashuddin Choudhury, EC Member and Dr. K. Azharul Haq,

participated in the workshop held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on February 24th and 25th, 2011. The

workshop was jointly organized by GWP-TEC and IWMI. Dr. K. Azharul Haq presented a paper

titled ‚Groundwater Quality-Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh: A Threat to Water - Food

Security and Livelihood‛. Around 75 - 80 participants from the region, national and international

agencies participated in the workshop.

The principal objective of the workshop was to bring together professionals and experts in the

region to identify the current stage of knowledge related to climate change, food and water

security and establish and operationalize a long term platform of professionals to deal with the

South Asian Climate Change, Food and Water Security.

In the final session of the workshop on behalf of GWP-SAS, Dr. Haq, announced the launching of

the Regional Program on Integrated Drought Management. This was chosen as all the counties in

the region suffers from this natural calamity almost every year though the duration and intensity

varies from country to country and from region to region within the countries. Launching of this

regional program was decided at a dinner meeting of the GWP-SAS region which was presided

over by Regional Chair Mr. Md. Sardar Tariq on 24th February 2011.

6. GWP - ADB Collaborative Work:

A lunch meeting of participants from the countries expected to be involved in the proposed

collaborative work between GWP and ADB, and GWP officials was held at the IWMI cafeteria to

discuss the status of the collaborative work. Ms. Mercy Dikito-Wachtmeister appraised the

development and indicated that negotiation with the ADB was on track and there is all possibility

that the work will start in September 2011 in countries proposed for Phase I.

PART 3: REPORT BY BHUTAN WATER PARTNERSHIP (BhWP)

No report submitted due to discontinuation of work in the month of February, owing to current ongoing

institutional changes within the BhWP.

PART 4: REPORT BY INDIA WATER PARTNERSHIP (IWP)

1. Wainganga Integrated River Basin Management Master Planning:

1.1. Working on community driven IWRM, capacity building and network strengthening, the West

Zone Water Partnership through its coordinating agency, Gomukh Trust, Pune is now moving

into the second phase of the IWRM Master Planning process for Wainganga river basin. The

objectives for this phase include data collection and analysis, and project identification.

Page 22: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

22

1.2. Accordingly, four visits were organised during February, 2011; namely to Nagpur (the project

site), Gadchiroli, Bhandara and to Aurangabad (Head Office, Godavari Valley Development

Corporation) to collect secondary data on planning variables like hydrological data, socio-

economic conditions, meteorological data, etc. of the Wainganga river basin. Constant

communications by field teams with various government departments like the Groundwater

Survey and Development Agency (GSDA), etc. is under progress.

1.3. The Nagpur visit on 10th February 2011 was coordinated with a seminar on 'Traditional Water

Resource Management' held by an organization called 'Sinchan Sahyog'. Few members of the

West Zone Water Partnership made their presentations at the seminar. It also proved as a

platform for discussing the Wainganga Master Planning process. After the seminar, data was

collected from some of the regional Government Departments including the Water Resources

Department, Forest Survey of India, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, Department

of Soil and Land Use Survey and the Geological Survey of India.

A meeting was organised with the members of the Cultural Group at Pauni District. The group

submitted their proposal for primary data collection, objectives for identification and

development of pilgrimage sites along the river, etc. During the visit to Bhandara on 11 th

February 2011, a brief discussion was organised with the Urban Heritage and Tourism Group in

Bhandara District. Their work in the past two months was reviewed. The proposal sent by the

group was discussed and some changes were suggested. Both the groups have decided to submit

their preliminary report by the 15th of March 2011, and will be included in the Monthly Report for

March. While visiting Aurangabad, the field team was in constant communication with the

Aurangabad Office of the Godavari Valley Development Corporation for procuring Hydrological

data. On the 22nd and 23rd of February, the data along with toposheets of the project region were

also acquired from the Department. Efforts to collect some primary data will also be made

through the agency of the ''Abhyas Gat‛ (Study Groups) established in the project region.

Analysis of available data will continue in the month of March 2011.

2. Participation of Dr. Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary, IWP in a Conference on

“Transforming Municipal & Industrial Water Landscape” on the 12th of February 2011 in New

Delhi:

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized a two day conference on ‚Transforming

Municipal & Industrial Water Landscape” in New Delhi on the 11th & 12th of February 2011. This

Meeting with members of Abhyas Gat regarding data collection Another meeting with Abhyas Gat regarding data collection

Page 23: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

23

two day conference has showcased all the latest advancements in the municipal and industrial

sectors. In the CEO’s Meet on Water organized on the 11th of February 2011, Mr. Suresh Prabhu,

GWP Ambassador, participated as a panellist and expressed his views on issues & challenges in

transforming the municipal and industrial water landscape. Dr. Veena Khanduri, Executive

Secretary, IWP participated in the technical sessions on Water Purification Technologies and

Innovative Saving Products in Domestic, Municipal & Agriculture sectors on the 12th of February,

2011. GWP-India partner organizations like Jain Irrigations and Sulabh International & Social

Reforms also participated and shared their views and experiences with national and international

participants. Mr. Vincent H. Pala, Honourable Minister of State for Water Resources, Government

of India was the Chief Guest during the conference. Mr. Dhruv Vijai Singh, Secretary, Ministry of

Water Resources, Government of India and Mr. Arjun Thapan, Special Senior Advisor

(Infrastructure & Water), ADB were the eminent persons present at the Conference.

3. Review of New Water Policy of Rajasthan for Better Implementation:

During 2010, IWP with the support of its Northern Zone Water Partner, Centre for

Environment & Sustainable Development, Jaipur (CEDSJ), Rajasthan organized two workshops,

one each in the Western Arid Region and the Sub-Humid Southern Plains & Aravalli Region of

Rajasthan for the capacity building of NGOs involved in the implementation of the New State

Water Policy.

In January & February, 2011, IWP had done an extensive review of the New Water Policy. In

the New State Water Policy, the major emphasis is on two things; the IWRM approach, and the

efficient working of Water User Groups (WUG). Both these factors have their inherent limitations

/ weaknesses. IWRM concept and principles are widely debated and its success in Indian

conditions is questionable on many counts. Yet if committed efforts are being made, things can be

different. The other point is about the WUGs. This too requires a lot of effort on the part of the

State and the people. Whether the WUGs will be a legal entity with powers to own and manage

village water resources and what its relationship will be with the Panchayat, are pertinent

questions to be clarified for its effective implementation. NGOs can play a very significant role in

the successful formation and functioning of these groups. NGOs have the strength in peoples’

mobilization but lack in policy analysis and understanding of IWRM. Therefore, there is a strong

need to build the capacity of all stakeholders, i.e., NGOs, People and PRIs, WUGs, Administrative

Officers, etc. as envisaged in the policy, that community based capacity building will include

training of WUGs and other community based stakeholders associated with the water sector. This

task is impossible without the support of the NGOs in the state. Unfortunately, the policy lacks

clear guidelines on the role of NGOs and their capacity building. Wider involvement of

stakeholders and public debate was lacking in the process of policy formulation. This resulted in

the lack of awareness and understanding about the policy and its implications. It is surprising

that even the people’s representatives and NGOs are unaware of the water policy document.

After the review, IWP has come to the conclusion that it is very important and necessary to

further enhance the capacity of other NGOs, Panchayati Raj Institution members, farmers, WUGs

and the block / administrative officers of the State Government who are the key stakeholders in

planning, implementation and administration of the water resources projects and implementation

of IWRM. To build capacity of these stakeholders, India Water Partnership in association with its

partner organization Jheel Sanskaran Samiti (Lake Conservation Society) would organize three

workshops during March / April, May and July 2011. For this purpose, separate manuals for three

different levels of stakeholders along with suggestive and reference documents would be

Page 24: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

24

prepared. The workshops would be given wide publicity through media coverage so that the

outcome can reach millions of people.

PART 5: REPORT BY NEPAL WATER PARTNERSHIP (NWP)

1. 11th Annual General Meeting:

The Eleventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nepal Water Partnership / JVS was held at

Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur on 4th February 2011 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Iswer Raj Onta.

The institutional and individual partners of NWP / JVS and invited experts on different water

related areas participated in the meeting. The Annual Report - 2010 of NWP / JVS was presented

by Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay at the meeting.

2. Release of Book on Climate Change:

A book titled "Climate Change Trends and Instances of Socio-Economic Efforts in Nepal' written

by Dr. Keshav Prasad Sharma, Deputy Director General, Department of Hydrology and

Meteorology was released by Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha, a noted Senior Ecologist and Life

Member, Nepal Academy, on the 4th of February 2011 in Lalitpur. The book was published (five

hundred copies) by NWP / JVS. The book launching ceremony was largely attended by NWP /

JVS Members, Researchers, Academics, Media Persons, etc.

3. Participation in the South Asian Regional Workshop on Climate Change, Water and Food

Security:

Mr. Som Nath Poudel, Vice-Chairman, Nepal Water Partnership / JVS, Dr. Keshav Prasad

Sharma, Deputy Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and Mr. Shital

Babu Regmee, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal, participated in the South

Asian Regional Workshop on 'Climate Change, Food and water Security: Identifying Critical

Issues and Exploring Cooperative Strategies in an Age of Increased Risk and Uncertainty for

South Asia' organized by GWP-TEC and IWMI from February 24th to February 25th in Colombo,

Page 25: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

25

Sri Lanka. The participants shared ideas, experiences and challenges of climate change on water

and food security across the South Asian region including Nepal.

4. Relocation of Nepal Water Partnership / JVS Office:

Nepal Water Partnership / JVS office is now located at the following address:

Ratopool, Rudramati Marg,

House No. 2567, Ward No. 2,

General Post Box No. 20694,

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Phone: +977-1-4434424

Fax: +977-1-4434431

PART 6: REPORT BY PAKISTAN WATER PARTNERSHIP (PWP)

1. On direction of the Regional Chair, GWP-SAS, the Country Coordinator, PWP perceived the

concept and drafted a brochure for the Fourth South Asia Water Forum (SAWAF-4), proposed to

be held in Islamabad, Pakistan during September / October 2011. The SAWAF-4 is proposed to

brainstorm on the issues of Climate Change, Food and Water Security, Transboundary Water

Issues of the South Asia region and Integrated Drought Management. The brochure was ready for

circulation but held up till financial commitments from GWP and other potential donors were to

be met by the Regional Chair at the Regional Workshop on Climate Change, Food and Water

Security held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on the 24th and 25th of February 2011.

2. Country Coordinator, PWP has been assigned the task of collaborating with the Ministry of

Environment, Government of Pakistan, for holding the Second Pakistan Conference on Sanitation,

which will be held in Islamabad on the 29th and 30th of March 2011. He will act as Conference

Coordinator to monitor all processes of the conference.

3. PWP Auditor, M/s. A. F Ferguson & Company completed their audit process on the Financial

Statements of PWP for the year 2010 and submitted initialled report on 15th February, which was

scanned and forwarded to the Regional Coordinator, GWP-SAS on the same day and the original

report was handed over to him on 24th February 2011.

4. GWP-TEC / IWMI Regional Workshop on Climate Change, Food and Water Security was

attended by the Chairman and Country Coordinator, Pakistan Water Partnership in Colombo, Sri

Lanka on the 24th and 25th February 2011.

5. Chairman, PWP presented a paper titled ‚Flood and Drought Synergies‛ in the Modelling of

Climate Change and Policy Making session held on the 24th of February 2011. He also Co-Chaired

the Groundwater Management session on 25th February 2011.

6. On request of the Regional Chair, GWP-SAS, Chairman, PWP accompanied by the Country

Coordinator, PWP visited Male, Maldives from 26th to the 28th of February 2011. They had highly

successful meetings with three senior officials of the Department of National Planning of the

Ministry of Finance & Treasury, and Ministry of Housing & Environment and two Ministers of

State for Fisheries & Agriculture and Finance & Treasury. A Memorandum of Understanding

between the Government of Maldives and the Global Water Partnership – South Asia (through

Chair, PWP) was finalized and submitted for approval by the Maldives Government which

Page 26: Monthly Report of the Global Water Partnership …...2 NewsFlow No More Business as Usual Rising food prices and alarm over climate change was the context for a workshop in Colombo,

26

would pave the way for the establishment of the Maldives Water Partnership in the coming

months.

PART 7: REPORT BY SRI LANKA WATER PARTNERSHIP (SLWP)

1. The Sri Lanka Water Partnership and its partner NetWwater took a lead role in organising the

Conference on Water Security and Climate Change - Challenge for South Asian Women, held on

2nd February 2011 at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. Over 60 participants including individuals from

state institutions and NGOs as well as expert,s attended this conference .This conference was a

collaborative effort of SLWP, NetWwater, Women for Water Partnership, SaciWATERs and

IWMI. The First Lady of Sri Lanka, Madam Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapakse was Chief

Guest at this event. Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, Nobel Laureate and Founder of the Munasinghe

Institute of Development, the globally renowned climate expert delivered the keynote address.

Dr. Chanda Gurung Goodrich and Dr. Anjal Prakash represented SaciWATERS in Hyderabad,

India while Dr. Mark Giordano made a presentation on behalf of IWMI.

2. The 2nd Programme Committee Meeting of SLWP was held on 8th February 2011 at IWMI.

3. SLWP and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board organised a Provincial SACOSAN

Awareness Programme for the Central Province on 24th February 2011. This programme is linked

to the overall SACOSAN programme of SLWP with culmination in April when SACOSAN will

be held in Sri Lanka.