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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Get involved. Join our network!

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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