Bridging Divides for Water Security

Wouter Lincklaen ArriensLead Water Resources SpecialistAsian Development Bank

Asia-Pacific Ministerial Meeting for Water5th World Water ForumIstanbul, 20 March 2009

How We Bridge Divides

will make a big difference for the water security of

the world

Improving Water Securityin the Asia-Pacific Region

“The world of water will change more in the next 20 years

compared to the past 2,000.”

Asit Biswas 2006 Stockholm Water Prize LaureateChair of Expert Panel for AWDO 2007

Do we know what will change and how to adapt?

Drivers of Change

• Population growth

• Economic devt

• Urbanization

• Trade

• Energy

• Climate change

• Others…

Asia-Pacific’s Water Scene:

Progress and Challenges

• Encouraging: water supply coverage, policies and laws for IWRM in river basins

• Challenges: serving rural needs, combating pollution, sanitation “from toilet to river,” reducing disaster risk, adapting to climate change, implementing IWRM in basins

• Asia still has 2 faces: those who have a toilet, and those who don’t (1 in 2) >>> 1 billion people still defecate in the open

Prof. Tomomi Yamada

Emptying water towers…

Source: ADB project estimates

Viet Nam: Sea Level Rise Effects

A new island called Ho Chi Minh City?

1/150 1/150

1/70

1/40

1/20

Comprehensive flood control measures

Present Future （ after 100 years ）

Present target Present target of flood safety of flood safety

Secured Secured safetysafety

1/20

Target of flood safety Target of flood safety after 100 yearsafter 100 years

Deterioration of Deterioration of secured safety secured safety

Present target will Present target will be decreased be decreased

because of because of increased rainfallincreased rainfall

Non-structural adaptation measures in river basin, such as land use regulation

Target of flood Target of flood safety safety

Secured Secured flood safetyflood safety

Adaptation by Structural measures

Image of flood disaster adaptation measures

5. Japan's response to climate change3-3 Integrated Flood and Urban Management

Japan Adaptation (from JICA)

Water Financing Program

Investment Areas

Urban WaterRural Water Basin Water

Doubling investments for targeted outcomes!

Water Financing Program

Targeted Outcomes

* Expected from projects approved since 2006

Indicators Units Target Progress*Sustainable access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation

million people

200 65

More productive and efficient irrigation and drainage services

million people

40 7

Reduced risk of flooding affecting people

million people

100 35

Introduction of IWRM in river basins river basins

25 24

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Helping the Region Mobilize

• 1997 Subregional GWP partnerships

• 2003 World Water Forum in Japan

• 2006 Launched Asia-Pacific Water Forum

• Ongoing: water in subregional economic groupings such as Greater Mekong, Central Asia, Pacific, others

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Catalyzing Water Investments

• Water Financing Program 2006-2010

• Water Financing Partnership Facility

• Global Environment Facility

• PPP partnerships

• Sanitation initiative since 2007

• Climate change adaptation funds

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Capacity for Action• Network of Asian River Basin Organizations

• Water Utility Networks for Southeast, South, and Central Asia…

• Pacific Water Action Plan implementation

• CityNet and City Development Initiative Asia

• Water Operator Partnerships and twinning

• Water leadership programs

• APWF Steering Group on Climate Change

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Knowledge Networking

APWF KnowledgeHubs (13 hubs launched in 2008)

10 Key Operating Principles for Hubs1. Vision and leadership for

achieving results in the hub’s priority topic

2. A focus on meeting client needs with relevant and feasible solutions

3. An inclusive attitude to knowledge networking with clients and partners

4. An (international) team of experienced specialists working at the hub

5. A stimulating research environment at the hub, including internships

6. Generation, identification and dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge

7. Regular comparative analysis of progress in countries across the region

8. Excellent products and services for knowledge and capacity development

9. Adequate human and financial resources to develop the hub’s excellence

10.An entrepreneurial approach to developing a sustainable business model

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Increasing Public Outreach• Regional water awareness program

• Water voices television documentaries

• Asia Water Wire network for journalists

• Partnering with Asian Broadcasting Union for television documentaries using local stories

• World Toilet Organization, IWA, others

ADB Supports Regional Cooperation

Promoting Leadership

• Government, Corporate and civil Society

• 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Japan 2007

• Asian Water Development Outlook 2007

• WEF Global Agenda Council for Water Security

• WSP on Economics of Investments in Water

• Link with initiatives by G8, Asia Society

• APWF Ministers for Water Security initiative

Ministers for Water Security Initiative

Leaders Dialogue for Action

• Your priorities in improving water security?

• What divides are you working to bridge?

• Your experience in investments and governance?

> How can partnerships and networks support you in achieving your goals and targets?

ADB Commissions

Water Development Outlook 2010

• For policy and decision-makers

• How to improve water security in the region?

• Show progress by country and subregion

• Explain trends and new solutions

• Demonstrate how divides can be bridged

• Stimulate informed debate

Messages from AWDO 2007

Water Governance is Key

Inadequate water governance causes a raft of adverse health and social issues that cost countries in the region billions of dollars each year.

Committed leadership and existing knowledge and technologies can help solve many water security problems.

Improving Water Security

Guiding Vision

“Societies can enjoy water security when they successfully manage their water resources and services to:

1. Satisfy household water and sanitation needs in all communities

2. Support productive economies in agriculture and industry

3. Develop vibrant, liveable cities and towns

4. Restore healthy rivers and ecosystems

5. Build resilient communities that can adapt to change.”

ADB teams up for AWDO 2010

APWF Partners• IWMI in Sri Lanka

• ICHARM, JICA, ADB Institute in Japan

• IWC in Australia

• PUB and Lee Kuan Yew School in Singapore

• ICIMOD in Nepal

• FAO and UNESCAP in Thailand

• APWF Subregional Coordinators

ADB President Kuroda:7 Investment Priorities for the Region

1. Rural water services2. Bankable urban water projects3. Sanitation and IWRM in basins4. Climate change adaptation5. Disaster preparedness6. Leadership and knowledge

sharing7. Leveraging investments through

partnerships for water security

ADB President Kuroda:Working in Partnership

“Working in partnership, we can catalyze and leverage investments

and pool the region’s knowledgein these 7 priority areas,

to raise the standard of living for hundreds of millions of poor people in the region and

increase water security for all.”

www.adb.org/water

water@adb.org