1. BACKGROUND

Over the past decades, a series of regional and global water conferences have underlined the need to adopt and operationalize the approach of integrated water resources management (IWRM).

By focusing on the management of water and related resources in a river basin context, it is implied that IWRM will be undertaken at basin level with the involvement of stakeholders at the basin level. The water conference in Dublin in 1992 referred to the need to manage water resources at the lowest appropriate level. This has become one of the basic principles underpinning the IWRM approach, and it has led to increased recognition that river basin organizations (RBOs) can realize IWRM at the basin level.

A network to assist RBOs in Asia to introduce and operational the IWRM approach does not yet exist. Consequently, RBOs lack opportunities for exchanging information and experience in their operations.

Recognizing the need for networking and capacity building in IWRM, the Japan Water Agency (JWA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) decided at the 3^rd World Water Forum in March 2003 in Japan, to collaborate in launching a Network of Asian River Basin Organization (NARBO), and a letter of intent was signed at the Forum.

The NARBO inception meeting was arranged as a side meeting of the First South East Asia Water Forum held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 17-21 November 2003. This meeting laid the foundation for the establishment of NARBO scheduled in the year of 2004. Government agencies and RBOs participated in the meeting, as well as interested international and bilateral organizations.

2. Goal and Objectives of NARBO

NARBO's objectives will be to promote the exchange of information and experience among river basin organizations (RBO) and their associated water sector agencies in Asia and to strengthen their capacity and effectiveness in promoting IWRM and improving water governance.

3. Scope of NARBO Activities

The focus of NARBO's activities will be

1. Advocacy and raising awareness for IWRM among RBOs, water sector apex bodies, and leading water sector agencies in the region, mainly through regional workshops.
2. Sharing of information, good practices, and lessons learned for IWRM among the participating organizations, mainly by operating databases and a website for IWRM exchanging information, and by sending a newsletter by web site and holding (sub) regional workshops.
3. Supporting NARBO members to improve water governance, including the enabling policy, institutional, and legal framework for IWRM, and the formulation of the action plans.
4. Building capacity of RBOs in implementing IWRM, mainly through staff exchange and training among participating organizations.
5. Supporting RBOs with technical advice in regard to the efficient O&M of water facilities, to improve IWRM.
6. Fostering regional cooperation for improved management of water resources in transboundary river basins.

4. NARBO Members

Membership will be open to the organizations which are related to IWRM implementation, such as River Basin Organization (RBOs), National and federal/ provincial/local governmental organizations, both regional and inter-regional knowledge partner and other organizations concerned.

5. Summary of the 1st General Meeting of NARBO

Agenda

The agenda of the General Meeting and workshop are as follows (Reference to Appendix A):

First day (Feb 24)

• Opening Ceremony
• Signing of the NARBO Charter

NARBO Secretariat presented the NARBO Charter and it was approved as it was. On the basis of this approval, 43 organizations signed on Agreement to Membership in NARBO and 8 organizations signed on Expression of Interest for Membership in NARBO. (Reference to Appendix B)

• Selection of the NARBO Constitutional Body (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary- General and Vice Secretary-Generals)

• Holding the workshop, theme of "Frameworks and implementation of IWRM"

Second day (Feb 25)

• Holding the workshop, theme of "National Frameworks for IWRM"
• Holding the workshop, theme of "RBO Experiences to Implement IWRM"
• Having reflected the result of the workshop, Draft Framework for NARBO Action Plan was proposed. (Reference to Appendix C)

Third day (Feb 26)

Field trip for the participants to working area of Jasa Tirta I Public Corporation (Upper stream area and Down stream area of Brantas River Basin).

Participants

The First General Meeting is attended by around 130 participants from 16 countries. (Reference to Appendix D)

Promoters of the 1st General Meeting

• Japan Water Agency (JWA), Japan
• Asian Development Bank (ADB), Philippines
• Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Japan

Under the sponsorship of the 1st General Meeting

• Jasa Tirta I Public Corporation (PJT I), Indonesia
• Directorate General of Water Resources, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Government of Indonesia (GOI)