water cop retreat (report)

8/3/2019 Water CoP Retreat (Report)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/water-cop-retreat-report 1/50

The first-ever Water CoP Retreat held on 18 June 2010 at the ADB Headquarters

was a rewarding experience. A total of 59 colleagues participated, dressed in colorful outfits, including 11 from Resident Missions. This included 6 RM colleagues who were visiting headquarters for safeguards training (3 from IRM, 2 from PRCM, and 1 from LRM). The water team of 5 colleagues at VRM joined through video meeting and LotusSametime, ably led by Hubert Jenny, and Tadashige Kawasaki from ADB Institute flew

in from Tokyo. Overall, 19 women and 40 men participated. From the 6 RM colleagues

joining, 5 were women. See the program.

A new way to communicate. CoP members were offered the chance to participate

through Lotus Sametime, the first time the CoP has used this program for an event.

Some RM colleagues had expressed an interest to join but encountered some practical

problems, such as SLRM's unexpected closure last Friday because of politicalcelebrations in the area. For the first time, six large screens were used to show video

link, live interactions on Lotus Sametime, a loop of key messages and visuals from CoP

activities in the past year, presentations, and compiled results of discussions.

Participants started the Retreat by reflecting individually on "What question lies

at the heart of your work?". Many of the participants reflected on their contribution to

the development agenda. The questions raised were mostly on how to improve their

work and how to contribute to sustainable development and economic growth in thecountries they work in. Members showed a strong desire to enhance their knowledge

and to share their knowledge with other members and their network. See the individual

responses.

http://retreat-program.pdf/

http://retreat-activity-1.pdf/



http://retreat-activity-1-responses.pdf/






http://retreat-program.pdf/

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http://c/Documents%20and%20Settings/r92/Desktop/Water/CoP/retreat/retreat-activity-1.pdf


http://c/Documents%20and%20Settings/r92/Desktop/Water/CoP/retreat/retreat-program.pdf



The next activity was to reflect on different roles in dealing with clients,

comparing themselves with a home doctor, which is the analogy used by

Presidents since ADB's

establishment in 1966. The votes of red and green stickers for 4options showed that CoP members

saw their roles evolving from

“giving medicine” and “advising on

behavior change” towards “working

in partnership with clients” to co-

create solutions that address

today's water challenges.

Participants then made new connections with CoP colleagues they didn't knowwell, or at all. Through lively one-on-one discussions, they explored each other's strengths and water leadership qualities, as well as passions and hobbies outside work. See their descriptions and photos.

Substantive discussion followed, in 4 groups, on opportunities to unlock the

potential of the Water CoP to work more closely with clients and partners.

Members shared a rich diversity of views on the topic. On one hand, they highlighted

opportunities in RMs to form water teams and partner with clients in government

working groups, for which they needed some CoP support. On the other hand, they also

expressed a need for more discussion among CoP members themselves to

complement the current practice of listening to speakers at the Catchment sessions.

See their group and individual suggestions.



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Resuming after lunch, group discussions focused on the draft Water Operations

Framework for 2011-2020, which had been circulated the day before the Retreat.

Members showed a great interest to contribute to the further development of the

Framework, seeing this as a core activity for the CoP to be involved in. Participants

engaged in a rich discussion and explored the draft Framework from the perspective ofclients, partners, and stakeholders. Several strategic questions emerged from the

comments of the participants. A note on “Voices from the Water CoP Retreat” provides

the summary of recommendations from the retreat participants and was discussed by

the Water Committee after the retreat.

Participants then wrapped up with brief personal reflections, followed by closing

remarks by CoP Chair Amy Leung, before continuing discussions over cocktails.

See the photos.

The Retreat was organized by RSDD's Wouter Lincklaen Arriens with support

from Alan Baird, Audrey Esteban, Gladys Franco, Ellen Pascua, and Ramon

Alikpala and the COP's Water Team in RSDD. Kay Choe, Alan Baird, Jingmin Huang,

and Florian Steinberg facilitated the discussion in working groups. Wouter Lincklaen

Arriens moderated the plenary sessions.

Comments and further suggestions are welcome and can be sent to [email protected].



http://retreat-activity-5-paper.pdf/

http://retreat-coctails.pdf/

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What question lies at the heart of your work?

Responses from the Water CoP Retreat

Summary

1. How can we deal with clients and partners effectively?

• What are the expectations of our clients? Have I met these expectations?

• What have I contributed to help the clients meet their objectives?

• Can we match expectations of our clients with projects/programs we are offering?

• How can I contribute to improve effectiveness, efficiency and quality?

• How can ADB best help the government manage the country's water resources in a

sustainable manner?• How can we share good information effectively among network?

2. Is my work contributing to the development agenda?

• What then, must we do to provide a healthy, dignified and meaningful existence for thehuman community while protecting the integrity and sanctity of the living world and allbeings that we share it with?

• Have I made such an impact that others will pick up from where I have left off and willmy effort be acknowledged?

• How to make the project/activities sustainable? No matter how little the benefit is, if it issustainable and we keep on working, the world will change. However, if the project/ activities are not sustainable, no matter how great it is at the beginning, we will not getanything in the long term and we work in vain.

• How can I add value to the work I am involved in? What difference can I make byworking on each assignment?

• How can I make the life of people better? How can I make the economy more efficient



through economically viable investment projects in the water sector? How can projectsprovide clean water at affordable price in a sustainable way?

3. What are the water issues we should address?

• How can we improve people's access to and effective use of productive resources whileensuring sustainability of those resources?

• How can we bring in the marginalized sectors for them to benefit these resources?

• How can we address underlying causes of poverty that act as barriers to development?

• How do we improve food security and economic well-being for the rural populations wework with?

• How can we mainstream IWRM into national or river basin water policy level and projectlevel?

• What can ADB do to help the rural people to realize the water scarcity issue and use thekey resource in a better and sustainable way?

4. What can the Water CoP do to enhance our contribution to the water sector?

• How can ADB become a good environment for learning on all levels?

• How can we promote innovative and unconventional approaches to environmentalservices so that they become mainstream and contribute to inclusive and sustainabledevelopment?

• How can we get people to participate more, be involved, and share with the water CoP?

• How to coach water CoP members to be water LEADERS?• How can we work together for each other?

• How can we make best use of existing knowledge and resources to address theconcerns of the water sector?



In Detail – Individual Contributions

1. How can we deal with clients and partners effectively?

• How can ADB best help the government manage the country's water resources in asustainable manner?

• Have I done my work correctly and efficiently? Have I met the expectations of clients?What have I contributed to help the clients meet their objectives?

• What are the expectations of our clients? Is it financial resources (money); technicalassistance (knowledge)?

• Each day, I always ask myself what I have learned from my daily work and how that canbe shared and contributed to water security in the DMCs.

• What do clients need from ADB/the project manager? How can I better serve theirneeds?

• How can we share good information effectively among network?

• Recognizing and concurring with ADB's objective; how can I contribute to improveeffectiveness, efficiency and quality?

• Am I doing the right things in view of attaining the ultimate goal of development agendaof each project/country?

• Can we match expectations of our clients with projects/programs we are offering?

2. Is my work contributing to the development agenda?

• How can we ensure that our work in water adds value, stimulates change andcompliments "big picture" agendas?

• Does my work contribute to God's will?

• Are we doing the best in response to the need of our country and also protecting theenvironment at the same time?



• What can I do to lead ADB colleagues in innovative solutions in the design andimplementation of water projects?

• How do I make a difference for the better?

• How to leap-frog to a better, more sustainable future for developing world one major stepat a time?

• What then, must we do to provide a healthy, dignified and meaningful existence for thehuman community while protecting the integrity and sanctity of the living world and all

beings that we share it with?• How can we improve our lives while taking care of our planets environment and finite

resources?

• Have I made such an impact that others will pick up from where I have left off and willmy effort be acknowledged?

• How to make the project/ activities sustainable? No matter how little the benefit is, if it issustainable and we keep on working, the world will change. However, if the project/ activities are not sustainable, no matter how great it is at the beginning, we will not getanything in the long term and we work in vain.

• What positive impact can I make?

• How can I add value to the work I am involved in? (What difference can I make byworking on each assignment?

• How can I make the life of people better? How can I make the economy more efficientthrough economically viable investment projects in the water sector? How can projectsprovide clean water at affordable price in a sustainable way?

3. What are the water issues we should address?

• Is there still huge population suffering from water scarcity? Why can people not usewater more wisely?

• How to mainstream IWRM into national or river basin water policy level and project

level?• How can we reduce poverty in Asia-Pacific?

• How can we improve people's access to and effective use of productive resources whileensuring sustainability of those resources?

• How can we bring in the marginalized sectors for them to benefit these resources?

• How can we address underlying causes of poverty that act as barriers to development?



• How can we provide all people access to water and sanitation in a sustainable mannerto improve lives- particularly those who have limited access to resources?Sustainability? Equitable access? Conservation and wise use of resources?

• How do we improve food security and economic well-being for the rural populations wework with?

• What can ADB do to help the rural people to realize the water scarcity issue and use thekey resource in a better and sustainable way?

4. What can the Water CoP do to enhance our contribution to the water sector?

• How can ADB become a good environment for learning on all levels?

• What can ADB contribute to close the gap between the poor and the rich?

• How can we make best use of existing knowledge and resources to address theconcerns of the water sector?

• How can we bring innovative approaches in the work we do?

• What is the relative value of different options to improve people's welfare?

• How can I use and develop my knowledge to improve the system/ the world and enjoymy work?

• How can we promote innovative and unconventional approaches to environmentalservices so that they become mainstream and contribute to inclusive and sustainabledevelopment?

• How we can rise up and disseminate information?

• How do get people to participate more, be involved, and share with the water CoP?

• How do we develop innovative thinking in water sector?

• How can I apply the knowledge and experiences gained through my working years; tohelp protect natural resources such as water courses?

• How to coach water CoP members to be water LEADERS?

• How can we work together for each other?

• How should I strengthen/renew my knowledge in the sector through internal (ADB) orexternal channel?



1. Giving medicine to fix broken parts. 2. Advising how to



3. Questioning the assumptions for behavior. 4. Partnering to let go

Note:Pink dots refer to “Where I am now”Green dots refer to “Where I want to be”



Alan Baird

Water Supply and Sanitation

Specialist, RSID

Strength: Networking

Water Leadership Quality:

Broad perspective on the water

sector

Hobbies: Soccer

Passion: Doing things differently

Ki-Hee Ryu

Head, Project Administration

Unit, SEAE

Strength: Implementation and

field operation, experience in

resident missions.

Water Leadership Quality: In-

depth knowledge and skills on

how to fix and implement

projects.

Hobbies: Sunday school

teacher

Passion: Seeing opportunity to

provide benefits to people and

appreciating the opportunity to

do so

Amy Leung

EASS Director and Water CoPChair

Strength: Long experience/

exposure with water; very

organized and timely

Koichi Takano

Water Resources ManagementSpecialist, RSID

Strength: Civil engineering,

water resources.





Water sector experience in PRC,

enjoys working with people.

Hobbies: Reading, yoga

Passion: Traveling; Managing

people to spot something new

Knowledge of various countries,

i.e., Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia,

Philippines.

Hobbies: Reading books, guitar

Passion: Tennis

Antoine Kunth

Infrastructure Specialist, SETU

Strength: Accurate and

comprehensive approach to

handling problems. Responsive

to clients and colleagues needs.


Engaging in in-depth consultation

with all stakeholders involved.

Hobbies: Golf, football, traveling,

social gathering, international

politics

Passion: Discovering the world

and its incredible diversity

Lan Wang

Project Officer (urban

Development), PRCM

Strength: Understanding of

local situation, good in project

implementation.


Passion for and willingness to

contribute to social sector

development.

Hobbies: Table tennis,

swimming

Passion: Improving the lives of

people

Anupma Jain

Social Sector Specialist, SEEW

Strength: Ability to analyze

policy, including social sector, to

Jingmin Huang

Urban Development Specialist,

EASS

Strength: Civil engineering,



address the grassroots level

problem in the public policy.


Adapts policy reforms to local

situations by pilot testing and

identifying bottlenecks.

Hobbies: Football, cricket and

painting

Passion: Making a difference on

the lives of people

flexibility and imagination.


Understanding of present

realities and what are practical

future solutions.

Hobbies: Reading

Passion: Water - it stands for

justice

Arnaud Heckman


EASS

Strength: Open-minded, flexible

but authoritative when needed.


Makes key decisions, based on

profound and well-researched

options.

Hobbies: Judo (black belt),

rugby, tennis, traveling, history,human science, social gathering

Passion: Trying exciting and

new experiences

Marc Ebarvia

Sanitation Specialist, RSID

Strength: Guide and empower

groups to develop shared vision.


Step back first for analysis then

offer well considered

suggestions then help develop

consensus.

Hobbies: Reading books

Passion: Writing articles



Charles Rodgers

Water and Climate Change

Specialist, RSID

Strength: Water and climate change, quick understanding of

numbers and quick to get the big

picture.

Water Leadership Quality: Can

provide scientific and technical

knowledge that can help

influence decision makers.

Hobbies: Reading, hiking

Passion: Justice, fairness,

guiding decisions

Norio Saito


SAUD

Strength: Project design through stakeholder

consultation, fostering

ownership of interventions.


Responsive to client needs.

Hobbies: Basketball

Passion: Supporting clients

towards sustainable

development

Carola Donner-Reichle

Senior Advisor (Capacity

Building and Social

Development), RSOD

Strength: Conceptualizing strategies and policies, working

well with others, networking,

lobbying.


Experience with UN, government

Randall Jones

Natural Resources Economist,

CWEN

Strength: Good mix of technical

and economic skills in water management.


Strong understanding of the

need for change by government

and partners.



ministries and line agencies.

Hobbies: Music and books

Passion: Harmony in society

Hobbies: Camping, fishing,

guitar, hunting

Passion: Making a difference in

helping poor communities and

societies

Chris Morris

Head, NGO and Civil Society

Center

Strength: Communication and

partnership with a variety of

stakeholders.


Matured experiences in

Southeast Asia.

Hobbies: Spending time with my

children

Passion: To see changes in

behavior and approach to

reaching stakeholders

Raushan Mamatkulov


EASS

Strength: Financail

management/analysis.


Achieving efficiency, economy.

Hobbies: Spending time with

my family; sports

Passion: Sports, esp. football

Chris Wensley

Lead Professional (Water

Resources), SEAE

Strength: Attention to detail.


Rehan Kausar

Infrastructure Specialist, SEEW

Strength: Multinational cultural

background, strong people’s

skills.



Experience in various countries.

Hobbies: Hiking, sailing, outdoor

activities

Passion: Seeing the impact of

work on people's lives


Energy background.

Hobbies: Playing tennis;

audiophile

Passion: Watching action

movies

Cindy Malvicini

Senior Water Resources

Management Specialist, SANS

Strength: Facilitation of

decisions.

Water Leadership Quality: Client-orientation.

Hobbies: Running, biking, time

with kids

Passion: Community

development

Shanny Campbell

Social Development Specialist,

SANS

Strength: Safeguards.


Understanding of the user/clients.

Hobbies: Reading books

Passion: People

Drazen Kucan

Senior Urban Development

Specialist, CWUS

Strength: Results-focused,

technically equipped.


Tadashige Kawasaki

ADB Institute

Strength: Strong legal

understanding of water sector

issues and practical knowledge.




Bringing together resources to

get the work done.

Hobbies: Hiking, skiing

Passion: Delivering solutions

Strong government experience

and knowledge of multilateral

operations and solid water

background.

Hobbies: Badminton; activities

with my children

Passion: Traveling abroad,

meeting new people

Eri Honda


Specialist, SETU

Strength: Experienced in urban

development in Asia.

Water Leadership Quality: A

very experienced person who

knows how to work with different

partners and clients.

Hobbies: Scuba diving

Passion: Working with people

Sisavanh Phanouvong

Senior Project Implementation

Officer, LRM

Strength: Agriculture and

natural resource sector,

irrigation, livelihood

development, deep knowledge

of culture, EAs and domestic

systems.


Water resources.

Hobbies: Listening to music,

playing clarinet and piano

Passion: Taking initiative to

open up the path



Florian Steinberg


Specialist, SETU

Strength: Urban planning,multisector experience.


Understanding of technical,

social, financial and institutional

dimensions of urban

development.

Hobbies: Tennis, golf, music

(jazz, modern)

Passion: Traveling, visiting

historical city centers, culture

Siti Hasanah

Project Officer (Urban

Development & Water Supply),

IRM

Strength: Focus/results

oriented.


Experienced in water projects.

Hobbies: Reading, watching

movies

Passion: Investigation, research

and finding out causes

Gyongshim An


EASS

Strength: Delivers on time.


Ability to deliver expectations

from clients and colleagues.

Hobbies: Physical exercise,

hiking

Ryutaro Takaku

Water Resources Engineer,

CWEN

Strength: Solid engineering.

Water Leadership Quality: Has

held senior government

positions and understands DMC

clients.

Hobbies: Kendo (martial arts)

Passion: To witness farmer



Passion: To deliver effectively benefit from irrigation projects

Helena Lawira

Project Implementation Officer

(Water Sector), IRM

Strength: Environment, water

quality experience.

Water Leadership Quality: Has

a fresh view.

Hobbies: Swimming,

walking/jogging

Passion: Better water

management in Indonesia

Tomoo Ueda

Senior Evaluation Specialist,

IED2

Strength: Eight years with ADB.

Seeing good side of people and

respect for Asian culture.


Experienced in urban

development.

Hobbies: Watching movies,

listening to music, eating good

food

Passion: Interested in people

In-Ho Keum

Lead Professional (Urban

Services), CWUS

Strength: Extensive experience

in the water sector in PRC,

Southeast Asia and now Central

Asia.


Good coordination, knowledge of

various countries.

Stephen Blaik

Senior Water Supply and

Sanitation Specialist, PAHQ

Strength: Helping clients

achieve goals.


Ability to listen and offer

solutions.

Hobbies: Sailing, skiing



Hobbies: Golf

Passion: Water for all

Passion: Delivering sustainable

and equitable solutions

Javier Coloma Brotons

Urban Development Specialist

(Water Supply and Sanitation),SEEW

Strength: Engineering, technical

skills needed to develop various

modes of PPP contracts.


Influence others by showing

concrete achievements.

Hobbies: Sports, music, taking

pictures

Passion: Focusing on work that

deliver impacts and

achievements, thus appreciated

Xin Shen

Project Officer (Agriculture and

Natural Resources), PRCM

Strength: Enthusiasm and

dedication.


Building trust with counterparts.

Hobbies: Table tennis,

badminton

Passion: Seeing results in

communities she is working with

Kathie Julian

Principal Urban Development

Specialist (PPP), CWUS

Strength: Intelligent design,

effectiveness, significant ability to

influence deliverables.


Wouter Lincklaen Arriens

Lead Professional (Water

Resources Management), RSID

Strength: Inspire and provide

vision.


Innovative ideas provided,



Consistently promotes reforms,

understands the big sector

picture.

Hobbies: Scuba, skiing, trekking

Passion: Delivering solutions to

developing world

positive outlook, avoid

negativity.

Hobbies: Play saxophone, mind

mapping

Passion: Helping others unlock

their potential

Kay Choe

Lead Professional (Water and

Urban Development), SAUD

Strength: Strong economics

background and capability to

measure value of project

initiatives and justify investments.


Good communication skills and

motivation.

Hobbies: Listening to music,

leisure traveling

Passion: Love for the work and

simple enjoyment in delivering

more outputs; Believing in what she does

Yaozhou Zhou

Water Resources Management

Specialist, EAAE

Strength: Strong technical

water engineering skills.

Water Leadership Quality: Strong understanding of client

needs and team work.

Hobbies: Swimming, tennis,

relaxing by the beach

Passion: Enjoys application of

development to help poor

communities



Activity 4: Summary

What is the Water CoP to you?

The Water CoP…

• Has always been a voluntary group of ADB staff dedicated towards the implementationof ADB's Water for All policy.

• Has started to improve synergy with other CoPs this year by co-organizing several jointactivities on cross-cutting areas and topics

• Should meet more often, perhaps during lunch, to strengthen the feeling of community.

• Should take peer review as an activity into consideration.

•

Can make its resources be more accessible to members.• Can definitely have more room for participation, especially for RM colleagues.

Can be both an information resource and a networking mechanism within ADB and with

ADB’s clients and partners

How can the Water CoP get organized to involve clients and partners?

The Water CoP can…

• Establish a good information gateway that would leverage relevant information, staff,and resources for its 2 clients: ADB staff and external clients

• Improve the website, expand e-newsletter subscription base, and explore furtherapplications (Web 2.0) of modern technology

• Explore partners’ participation, particularly champions, in CoP meetings and other

activities



In Detail – Individual Contributions

What is the Water CoP to you? How do you relate to the CoP? What is its purpose? What

are we trying to accomplish?

The Water CoP…

• Has always been a voluntary group of ADB staff dedicated towards theimplementation of ADB's Water for All policy.

• Is participation in the water CoP voluntary? Yes, it is voluntary

• Has both advantages and disadvantages as it creates additional workload that couldtake away some of the enthusiasm from individual work

• Has started to improve synergy with other CoPs this year by co-organizing severaljoint activities on cross-cutting areas and topics

• Need to combine activities with other CoPs to address linkages – interdisciplinarynature and cross-cutting areas

• Should meet more often, perhaps during lunch, to strengthen the feeling ofcommunity.

• CoP needs to be strengthened internally, how about a weekly gathering over lunch?

• there are already existing 'ethnic groups' meeting regularly in the canteen

• Water CoP has tried many different meeting hours; and currently meetings are held

in the morning --- may also try lunchtime presentations• We need to open first among ourselves, within the ADB's water circle, within the

water CoP

• Should take peer review as an activity into consideration.

• Peer reviews as activity of water CoPs? Upside – additional knowledge andstrengthen work of members; downside – additional workload

• Can make its resources be more accessible to members.

• The water CoP has resources, but are you happy on how the CoP involves itsmembers?



• Can definitely have more room for participation, especially for RM colleagues.

• Not enough RM participation

• Can be both an information resource and a networking mechanism within ADBand with ADB’s clients and partners Is an instrument to get closer to clients / bridge the gap as the CoP is an important

platform for starting dialogues Is an instrument for interacting with other people in the sector, ; for reaching out,

connecting RM staff at the project administration level to ADB HQ Is good information source Provides important information that can be of value to individual work Can be both information resource and networking mechanism for within and outside

ADB

How can the Water CoP get organized to involve clients and partners?

The Water CoP can…

Establish a good information and networking gateway that would leveragerelevant information, staff, and resources for its 2 clients: ADB staff and externalclients Leverage information, staff, and resources for its 2 clients: ADB staff and external

clients Find better ways of sharing information (technical solutions for sharing internal

"bank-only" information and documents to clients who need it) Encourage ADB staff/specialists to be sufficiently available to clients, i.e. need to

establish a good information system/gateway (perhaps not as an in-house program) Open up to external audience/clients, leveraging what it has in terms of materials,

resources, staff, etc. Understand what its audience values; what is relevant to its clients There is scope to improve ways to sell product to ADB clients; Need to advertise

more Need to include ADB's big markets – PRC and IND Need to target decision-makers Need to have better machinery for publicity activities Room for improvement in dissemination



Strengthen dissemination of KPs Look into networking practice and information dissemination in more detail Establish better communication system between RM staff and HQ staff to better

coordinate workplans Not be a one-way channel of information. Need comprehensive change of mindset To involve clients and partners, they will want to be involved only if there is value for

them. How to give value? Partners – governments, NGOs, water companies, funding agencies, large industrial

users of water, private sector, research institutions How can ADB set itself apart from other organizations? Lots of partners already. How can ADB involve the partners more? How can it

support them more? Water touches everyone’s lives. ADB engagement has evolved from 10 years ago

from simply water supply and sanitation to climate change issues today. Water iscertainly a complicated issue.

Ow can opeing op the CoP to outsiders improve ADB’s work? 2 levels – build up the CoP knowledge and , improve operations with clients Expanding it too much may dilute the impact of CoP and more resources and energy

necessary Knowledge exchange between ADB divisions is very important. Strengthen information exchange internally first before going external. Water CoP should look at Urban CoP format where better exchange between

divisions/individuals is practiced. Expansion to external participation should be gradual What is the role of partners? Is there interest? Bringing in partners should be mutually beneficial to both ADB and partners. How does ADB benefit by opening up the CoP? Be selective on the institutions that will be included in the expansion. Not

necessarily to be members, but may be invited to share. Perhaps CoP can share experiences by going out.

ADB as Knowledge Hub vs ADB CoP

Improve the website, expand e-newsletter subscription base, and explore furtherapplications (Web 2.0) of modern technology Need to improve website – right now it is difficult to find projects Need to further expand subscribers of newsletter Explore further applications of modern technology eg. online low-cost interactive

programs/seminars)



Use of skype? Strengthen ADB's FB and u-tube

Explore partners’ participation in CoP meetings and other activities Explore for EAs presenting during water CoP meetings? Explore link-up with government officials during water CoP meetings?

Twinning which is highly successful and cost-effective can be an area for ADB'scontinued support Need to strengthen regional workshops and study visits, including increased

participation Coaching to be included in training events? Qualify what “opening up” means How do you fund external CoP members to CoP event? Partners may not necessarily want to become CoP members. They are really

looking for a platform to interact with ADB. Should there be conditions for an external partner to become a member of the CoP? Distinguish partnership agreements and CoP for knowledge sharing There should be a mechanism to improve knowledge upgrading in the CoP/ADB

Staff. Panel of expert to provide “training” to staff Formal cooperation with other international donors RMs to develop networks in each country but not all RMs have water specialists Send more people in the field to get champions involved Important to get perspectives from people on the ground Disseminate how ADB can support champions



Review of the Draft Water Operations Framework 2011-2020

Voices from the Water CoP Retreat

Participants discussed the draft Framework from the perspectives of ADB staff, clients, and

partners. They appreciated the opportunity to review the paper and are keen to actively engagein the further formulation of such a framework. They welcomed many of the insights articulatedin the paper, and put forward additional suggestions for further developing the framework. Thesuggestions are summarized below:

1. Providing space for recognizing achievements of clients, partners and ADB. Thepresent draft is thin on the work done by clients, partners and ADB itself over the past years.Maybe a revised version later could consider adding a section that recognizes what has beenachieved and how that can be built upon? Such section may also touch upon ADB’s work onpartnerships and/or collaboration with partners, including the work with financing partners for theWater and Financing Partnership Facility. This may help to entice clients and partners to buyinto the framework and seek expanded collaboration with ADB.

2. Highlighting the crisis but recognizing the need to validate data. The intention tohighlight the water supply-demand gap revealed by the McKinsey Report is understoodconsidering the objective of the framework to call attention to the crisis that the region is facing.However, the framework may need to allow for further validation of such data noting that Indiahad asked McKinsey for re-computation.

3. Offering menu of options to clients. One size doesn’t fit all, and it is expected that thelater version of the framework would clarify what menu of options it offers its clients to choosefrom. For that, a program with a menu of options may be called for.

4. Building on existing studies to improve implementation. The paper makes a casefor significant investment in further country water assessment studies by ADB. It is assumedthat such work will build upon existing studies, including by other organizations, and the focuswill be more on filling the gaps. It is also assumed that where warranted, further studies will bedone with mandated partner organizations, including knowledge centers. Many participantsexpressed need for helping clients to implement existing policies and programs (the “how”question), smartly supported by benchmarking and capacity development.



5. Tempering the focus on higher efficiencies. The call for improving water useefficiencies is supported and it is suggested that it be complemented by equal, if not more, focuson conservation in all uses. There were suggestions to further refine the strategy for promotinghigher efficiencies in agriculture to take into account the need to distinguish efficiency at field,system and basin levels – a fundamentally important issue that may be difficult for ADB to

achieve. It is also suggested that variation in country and local conditions be considered whenpromoting efficiencies.

6. Setting realistic expectations from private sector participation. Stimulatingincreased participation of private sector is supported. However, in the light of ADB’s weakperformance to date in private sector water operations, and the dearth of examples in ruralareas in the developing world (not just Asia), participants suggested that expectations for privatesector participation be set more carefully and worded in a manner that empowers governmentsto move ahead with promoting PSP while taking the views of civil society into account.

7. Maximizing existing capacities and expanding them. Further discussions on makingbetter use of ADB’s existing capacities are needed, as well as in agreeing which capacities

should be further expanded and how. The Water Committee and CoP should be encouraged totake an active part in the discussion considering that it’s them who will benefit from improvedcapacities.

8. Agreeing how ADB should convey the message about the social and economicvalue of water. The paper’s focus on the economic approach to water use efficiency isunderstood. However, due to sensitivities attached to promoting water as an economic good, itmay be prudent to be consistent with what the Water for All policy espouses, that is, “water is asocially vital economic good” and sustainable development and IWRM approaches must stressthe need for water management to balance economic, social and environmental outcomes.

9. Providing for resources to support demand management approaches. The shift in

paradigm that the paper is trying to promote requires resources to be invested in labor intensivework for policy reforms, behavior changes, institutional reform, within the social and politicaleconomy. It is suggested that the costs associated with this type of work be included.



10. Development and management of a regional water information system. The systembeing developed for Africa involves expertise from France, which has invested heavily inimproving data and information sharing and management in its own country. It is suggested thatthe setting of up such a system consider the capacity gap in ADB to undertake such task and

the option to maximize strengths of knowledge partners and UN organizations who could do abetter job. Participants commented that a regional system, if established, could usefully alsoinclude information on virtual water trade.

11. Addressing issues missing from the paper. The following issues may be included:(i) poor and vulnerable communities and reaching the MDGs and beyond; (ii) sanitation; (iii)more emphasis on disaster risk management; (iv) more emphasis on groundwater; (v) thePacific DMCs; (vi) involving ADB Institute, and (vii) reflecting approaches for IWRM in riverbasins that have already been developed with partners. The important roles of ADB’s WaterCoP in the coming years should also be reflected in the framework itself.