NARBO - Network of Asian River Basin Organizations

Outline of the Conference

Asian countries have already introduced the concept of IWRM in water policy and water law. However, institutional capacity to implement it, especially financing is not enough. Focusing on this fact, Workshop on Water Resources Management Financing was conducted by GWP-SEA with support of Myanmar Water Partnership was held in Yangon, Myanmar on 3 October, 2013. Approximately 30 delegates from 8 countries and 20 staff from Myanmar joined the meeting.

At first, opening remarks was offered by Mr. Hla Baw, GWP-SEA chairperson and told the expectation to the result of the discussion and welcomed the participants. Mr. Baw stressed the importance of PPP and Capacity development for IWRM.

Following the opening welcome remark, presentations from member country on WRM financing were conducted. Commonly, we agreed that we need more budgets for water resources management to develop structural and non-structural measures and capacity building especially in local level, and the issue is how to secure the budget and implement IWRM.

In addition to the country report, IUCN and NARBO introduced each activity. Mr. Kawasaki, NARBO secretariat introduced NARBO activities and told that NARBO aims to be an interpreter to fill the gaps between the international discussion and local level activities by enhancing our activities with GWP-SEA. Regarding financing of river basin management, Mr. Kawasaki introduced case study of Japan and told that combination of 3 pillars such as i ; Law & Framework, ii ; Financing mechanism, and iii ; Institutional capacity.

After the country report and report of international organizations, discussion session was moderated by Mr. Baw, GWP-SEA chair and following views and comments were shared among participants.

After the country report and report of international organizations, discussion session was moderated by Mr. Baw, GWP-SEA chair and following views and comments were shared among participants.
	Economic aspects is one of the key to implement IWRM
	Sharing some part of the cost of water resources management is needed to be shared by water users for socio economic development in the river basin.
	The issue is how to set the system for financing and how to link water resources management with financing aspects.
	GWP-SEA needs cooperation with other organization in promoting IWRM
	Influence to the politician or policy make is needed, and we need a champion.

Mr. Baw concluded the workshop and told that there are issues of water on ‘Too much water’, ‘Too little water’ and ‘Too dirty water’ in Asia and we need further collaboration for developing socioeconomic of countries and sustainable growth.

Way Forward

GWP-SEA is one of the important members of NARBO. We’ve established good relationship with GWP, especially in 2013. NARBO is a network of RBOs, and promotion of IWRM at ground level is our task. Concrete actions to improve IWRM in Asia by getting each synergy and making the strong showing in IWRM are expected.