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New Global Dam Builders

Presentation by

Peter Bosshard

International Rivers

Rivers for Life 3October 5, 2010

Photo: David Haberlah

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Changing Global Roles

Brazil (Itaipu), India(Narmada), China (Three

Gorges): from importers toglobal dam builders

Three Gorges Dam as turning

 pointSwiss dam builders have

gone out of businessPhoto: Steven Benson

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Ex ample Merowe Dam (Sudan)

 No support from traditional funders; China Exim Bank 

filled the gap in 2003

Displacing >50,000 people from Nile Valley to desert,

no EIA

Completion in 2009, massive human rights violations

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China: t 

he World¶s Biggest Dam Builder 

At least 262 Chinese dams in 60 countries

Sinohydro: 50% of the global hydropower market?

China Exim Bank: the worldµs biggest dam financier 

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Ot h

er New Dam Builders

India: projects e.g. in Nepal, Bhutan, Burma,

Indonesia, Ghana

Brazil: projects e.g. in Ecuador, Peru, Mozambique

Thailand: projects e.g. in Burma, Laos, Vietnam

Iran, Russia, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam also buildingoverseas dams

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China: Rogue Dam Builder«

Foreign assistance with ³nostrings attached´

Funding of rogue projects inSudan (Merowe), Burma(Hatgyi, Myitsone etc.),Ethiopia (Gibe 3)

Undermining all existingsocial and environmentalstandards?

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Or Responsible Actor?

China Exim Bank: NGO dialogue, environmental

 policy, hands off Belinga Dam

Sinohydro: NGO dialogue on national and

international level, preparation of environmental

 policy

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Some NGO Strategies

Research, analysis

Education, capacity building

Regional and global networks

Protests, public pressure, media work 

Advocacy work, dialogue

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Break-Out Groups

Learn more about Chinese,

Thai, Indian, Brazilian and

Western dam financiers

Share your experiences

Discuss research needs,

strategies, joint efforts

Create networks