The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched IWRM Guidelines at River Basin Level at the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, 16th March, 2009.

The Launching Ceremony “IWRM Guidelines at River Basin Level” took place on March 16, 2009 at Ayvansaray Hall, Stülüce Congress and Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey, as a side event of the 5th World Water Forum. It was convened by UNESCO and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan (MLIT). HIH the Crowne Prince of Japan, Honorary President of United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) attended the launching ceremony and was handed over of the Guidelines by Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO.

UNESCO led this project and NARBO has cooperated together with some other organizations such as MLIT and Japan Water Agency (JWA). Dr. Mochammad Amron, Chairperson of NARBO and Mr.Wouter Lincklaen Arriens, ‘Vice Secretary General of NARBO’ particpated in the project as Steering Committee Members of the Guidelines. In addition, Mr. Shinsuke Ota, former Executive Vice President of JWA took a role as Co-chair of the committee.

The Guidelines provide with necessary information to help practitioners implement IWRM under their own circumstances. They consist of the fundamental concepts of IWRM as well as perspectives of various stakeholders with regard to water issues, key for success for overcoming problems, and good examples where such keys for success were applied.

Mr. Shinsuke Ota made a presentation about introduction of the Guidelines. He mentioned in his presentation that NARBO has already started using these materials in NARBO’s 5th IWRM training held in Hoi An, Viet Nam, 18-25 Feburary, 2009.

An Open Workshop was also held at the 5th World Water Forum, 20 March, 2009 and further improvement of the Guidelines was disucussed. Details on the introduction of the Guidelines and direct link to download the full document of the Guidelines are provided in “Translation of IWRM Principles into Practical Application - IWRM Guidelines at River Basin Level” (NARBO) and UNESCO Water Portal Bi-monthly Newsletter No.214.