Monthly Report of

the Global Water Partnership

December 2009 / January 2010

Table of contents

Executive Secretary summary ......................................................................................................................1

GWP REGIONS .............................................................................................................................................7
CARIBBEAN ......................................................................................................................................................7
CENTRAL AMERICA .......................................................................................................................................13
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE ..................................................................................................................17
CHINA ...........................................................................................................................................................21
SOUTH AMERICA ...........................................................................................................................................22
SOUTH ASIA ..................................................................................................................................................26
SOUTH EAST ASIA..........................................................................................................................................35
WEST AFRICA ................................................................................................................................................39
Executive Secretary summary

GWP Patron discusses water at Davos

The Global Water Partnership Patron Margaret Catley-Carson participated at the
40th World Economic Forum in Davos on 27-31 January 2010 to put focus on
water issues in relation to economics. Ms Catley-Carson moderated a high-level
session where water protection and management were discussed with business
representatives and political leaders.

The theme of this year's meeting was a call to action for decision-makers to use
the opportunity of the five days to "Improve the State of the World: Rethink,
Redesign, Rebuild". More than 2,500 leaders from business, government and civil
society participated in over 200 working sessions on topics including Haiti, the
Millennium Development Goals, the environment and the economy. Read more here:
http://www.weforum.org/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/KN_SESS_SUMM_29943?url=/en/know
ledge/Themes/Enviroment/KN_SESS_SUMM_29943

GWP at High-level Taskforce meeting for the Global Framework for Climate Services
The GWP Executive Secretary Dr. Ania Grobicki participated at the
Intergovernmental Meeting for the High-level Taskforce for the Global
Framework for Climate Services organised by the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO) in Geneva on 11-12 January 2010. The purpose of the
meeting was to approve the terms of reference and to endorse the composition of a
High-level Taskforce for the Global Framework for Climate Services, as defined in
the WCC-3 Declaration. The report from the meeting is available here:
http://www.wmo.int/pages/documents/IGM_HLT_GFCS_Final_report_1061_en.p
df

Going forward, both the existing GWP/WMO Associated Programme on Flood Management as well
as the proposed joint Programme on Integrated Drought Management may be test areas for the
climate services approach, which aims to articulate the needs for better climate information and to
link the users of this information with climate experts and others tasked with providing these
services. This could potentially be of value to GWP partner organizations in many different economic
sectors.

GWP meeting with the Water Integrity Network

The Water Integrity Network (WIN) was established in 2006 to reduce corruption in the water sector
locally, nationally and globally. It promotes solutions-oriented action and coalition-building between
civil society, the private and public sectors, media and governments. WIN has been identified in the
2009-2013 GWP Strategy as an ally in improving governance systems, helping to build transparency,
integrity and accountability within organizations and countries. GWP Executive Secretary Dr. Ania
Grobicki as a Steering Committee member for WIN has been involved in the development of a
monitoring system for the WIN network and their future proposals for monitoring water integrity in
key sub-sectors (irrigation, hydropower and water supply) as well as in IWRM policy development
and implementation in countries.

1
GWP Chair at the General Assembly of the International Network of Basin Organizations
The GWP Chair Dr. Letitia A Obeng participated in the General Assembly of the International
Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) in Dakar, from 20
to 22 January 2010. The theme of the General Assembly
was “the adaptation to consequences of climate change in
basins: tools for action”. The assembly gathered together
around 250 participants from all continents.

During the official opening of the assembly, Dr Obeng

had the opportunity to present the activities of the GWP
network, namely in relation with the theme of the general
assembly.

The GWP chair was also the co-chair with M. Samuel Amete SARR, Ministry of Energy of SENEGAL,
of the fourth topical round table about “Drafting of Basin Management and Action Plans of Basin
Organizations and their financing”. Read more here: http://www.riob.org/spip.php?article111

(Photo: GWP Chair Letitia A Obeng, INBO Director Jean-François Donzier and GWP Cacena Coordinator
Vadim Solokov)

GWP Chair Letitia A Obeng participated in a high-level meeting with HRH Crown Prince of Japan
GWP Chair Dr. Obeng visited Japan on 24-28 January to participate in an international conference on
sanitation, where Dr Obeng gave a keynote presentation on “Connecting Sanitation and Water”.
During her visit, Dr Obeng followed up on existing GWP linkages and met with the Vice Minister for
Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment, the Director General of the River Bureau,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Technology and the Vice Minister for Technical Affairs. The visit
in Japan also included a high-level meeting with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Japan.
Read more: http://www.maximsnews.com/news20100210iysfollowup11002100801.htm

"Water is Synonymous with Development and Growth"

Interview with GWP Chair Dr Letitia A Obeng in Aqua Vitae, a Latin American magazine for water
professionals, published by AMANCO, a GWP Partner. Dr Obeng says "Water is a key factor for
environmental, social and economic development of countries. We need to broaden the dialogue with
those outside the water sector who use or depend on water for social and economic progress, growth
and prosperity." Read the article in Spanish:
http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/100112_AquaVitae_Obeng_article.pdf
Read the article in English:
http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/100112_Aqua_Vitae_Obeng_English.pdf

2
Global Water Partnership on Water Security
The Global Water Partnership Deputy Executive Secretary
Mr Martin Walshe spoke at hearings in the UK on global
water security. The hearings are part of an inquiry being
undertaken by the Engineering the Future alliance, at the
request of the government’s chief scientific adviser and head
of the Government Office for Science John Beddington. Read
the statement here:
http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/GWP_on_WaterSec
urity_Feb_2010.pdf

Here is a link to a news release:

http://www.nce.co.uk/news/ice/uk-experts-debate-global-water-security/5213784.article

GWP representation in Stockholm Junior Water Prize Jury

GWP Secretariat staff member and Programme Administrator and Network
Support Officer Alex Simalabwi has been appointed as a member of the Stockholm
Junior Water Prize jury, replacing GWP Network Officer Mercy Dikito-
Wachtmeister who been holding this position with distinction for the last four
years. GWP thanks her for her dedication and loyal service in the prestigious and
at times demanding jury work and welcomes Alex Simalabwi to fulfill this task in
her place.

The competition brings together the world’s brightest young scientists to

encourage their continued interest in water and the environment. “I am deeply honored to participate
in this important jury which focuses on youth and the future of water management. Tomorrow’s
development will be determined by what we do to today’s youth”, Alex Simalabwi says.

More information about the Prize is available here: http://www.siwi.org/stockholmjuniorwaterprize

New Ambassador for the Global Water Partnership

The Global Water Partnership has appointed Mr Suresh P Prabhu, former Member
of the Indian Parliament and former Chair of GWP South Asia as Ambassador for
GWP. “In recognition of Suresh Prabhu’s tremendous contributions in South Asia
and globally, GWP appoints Mr Prabhu as a GWP Ambassador, to continue to
reach out globally on behalf of GWP. I am honored and delighted that we can in
this way build upon Mr Prabhu’s on-going engagements around the world, and
raise the profile of water and GWP on the world stage and with key leaders”, Dr
Ania Grobicki, GWP Executive Secretary says.

Mr Suresh Prabhu served as an M.P. during 1996-2009 and has held cabinet positions at federal level
in India such as Minister for Industry, Minister for Environment and Forests, Minister for Chemicals
and Fertilizers, and Minister for Power, Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises. He has experience of
business on a local, regional and global level, and served as Chair for GWP South Asia 2004-2009.

As a Minister with the Government of India, he introduced reforms in the energy sector with several
measures that went a long way to protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development
by conserving the natural resources. He has contributed to numerous initiatives in the area of water

3
resources management, such as chairing the Program on Interlinking of Rivers aimed at protecting
the country against water stress through linkage of major rivers in the Himalayan and Peninsular
regions of the country.

Mr Suresh Prabhus’s vision is “A sustainable future for one and all for generations to come” and he
has served as Senior Advisor to UN organizations. “Water is a finite resource demanded by not only
all 6.6 billion humans but by almost all living beings on this planet,” observes Mr Prabhu. “Whatever
is limited and has unlimited demand and thus inevitably needs sharing, causes conflict. GWP is a
unique, neutral platform to make this process of dealing with water issues far easier, advocating
Integrated Water Resources Management as a means to address complex issues. I was very fortunate
to be a part of this large and ever growing network as a Chair of South Asia for 3 years and realise its
true value which is why I am happy to continue in this new role,” Mr Suresh Prabhu says.

Invitation to nominate Members for GWP Steering Committee 2010

Deadline 17 Mai 2010. Click here for nomination information:
http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/Invitation_GWP_SC_members_2010.pdf

GWP IWRM ToolBox

ToolBox enhances knowledge sharing with GWP allies

The ToolBox web site has been updated with essential new knowledge products of the GWP strategic
partners APFM and GW MATE. This contributes to enhance GWP’s strong partnership and alliances
with other organizations. Visit for instance the tools C2.3 (groundwater plans) and C2.5 (risk
assessment).

Twin2Go - Synthesising research for adaptive water governance

Twin2Go is a project that reviews, consolidates, and synthesises research on integrated water
resources management in basins around the world. GWP ToolBox Officer Danka Thalmeinerova
represents GWP in the Twin2Go Advisory Board. If you would like to know more or be involved,
please contact Danka Thalmeinerova: danka.thalmeinerova@gwpforum.org.

The project Twin2Go reviews, consolidates, and synthesises research on integrated water resources
management in basins around the world. The aim is to draw policy relevant results on issues around
adaptive water governance in the context of climate change and to make them transferable to other
basins. Twin2Go further promotes sharing of research results with practitioners and high level
decision makers through effective dialogue. Read more here: http://www.twin2go.uos.de/

Case study of the month:

Transboundary Tisza river (#346)
http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=234&Itemid=47

4
New resources
New reference documents regarding groundwater are now available on the ToolBox web site:
www.gwptoolbox.org. The publications were developed by the Ground Water - MATE team that
develops capacities in ground water resources management. The documents are placed under tool
C2.3. To learn more about GW-MATE, visit a section ToolBox Partners.

Follow GWP on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GWPnews

Video about the Yellow River Water Partnership:

http://www.youtube.com/gwplive#p/a/u/1/VR3E6HWaLy8

Technical Committee Background Paper 12 in French:

http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP?iNodeID=215&itemId=974

The Paper is also available in English and in French:

http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=61

Global Water Partnership on Wikipedia

English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Water_Partnership
Spanish: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asociaci%C3%B3n_Mundial_para_el_Agua

Website Visitors December 2009

www.gwpforum.org www.gwptoolbox.org
Daily avg visits Monthly totals Daily avg visits Monthly totals
2,071 64,231 427 13,263

Website Visitors January 2010

www.gwpforum.org www.gwptoolbox.org
Daily avg visits Monthly totals Daily avg visits Monthly totals
2,101 65,132 437 13,556

5
Coming events

World Water Day 2010: Water Quality

22 March 2010
More information http://www.worldwaterday2010.info/

First Central American Fair of Community Water Management

In San Jose, Costa Rica, from March 19 to the 24 of 2010, under the frame of the World Water Day,
different organizations, including GWP Central America, will hold the First Central American Fair of
Community Water Management.

6
GWP REGIONS

CARIBBEAN

Hydro-Climatic Disasters in Water Resources Management – Training Workshops

Guyana

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) in collaboration with Caribbean WaterNet and the
University of the West Indies, with support from the Rural Women’s Network put on a three-day
training workshop on “Hydro-Climatic Disasters in Water Resources Management” in Guyana, from
November 30th-December 2nd, 2009. The training exercise, set out to provide the necessary tools and
knowledge to participants from various Caribbean countries to help “Empower national institutions
/ organisations/communities to build their capacity in an effort to minimise and/or prevent hydro-
climatic disaster losses.”

Distinguished attendees included the Honourable Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Amerindian Affairs
who gave the welcome remarks, the Honourable Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture who gave
the feature address as well as Guyana’s Minister of Housing and Water, the Honourable Irfaan Ali.
GWP-C’s Chair Professor Jacob Opadeyi was also in attendance.

Left: Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud gives

feature address at the “Hydro-Climatic Disasters in Water
Resources Management Workshop” at the Regency
International Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana.

All twenty-three participants in the workshop agreed that the training took place at an appropriate
time, when there are lots of concern about climate change and its impact on people and development
initiatives. The three-day training workshop was broken down into eight (8) modules and the themes
of the modules were as follows:

7
The workshop was facilitated by one of the developers of the course and training manual Dr. Wangai
Ndirangu and co-facilitated by Dr. Paulette Bynoe of the University of Guyana. Group participation
and interaction was encouraged through working sessions with discussion questions that focused on
key threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths of Guyana in an attempt to reduce risks to
hydro-climatic disaster management.

Module 1 Water Related Disasters and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Concepts
Module 2 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Module 3 Impacts of Climate Change and Variability
Module 4 Drought Risk Management
Module 5 Flood Risk Management
Module 6 Policy, Legislation and Institutions for Disaster Management
Module 7 Economics of Disasters
Module 8 Emergency and Humanitarian Response

In Guyana, steps are being taken at the political level to establish a National Water Council (NCW). It
was therefore felt that participants of the workshop had a great opportunity from the knowledge
gained and the tools provided, to conduct awareness seminars within their respective institutions in
an effort to provide strategic information, especially to decision makers within these institutions that
could influence the National Water Council planning process.

Trinidad

The second instalment of the “Hydro-Climatic Disasters in Water Resources Management” workshop,
took place on December 2nd - 4th, 2009 in Trinidad. This workshop, like the first held in Guyana, is part
of a series of workshops delivered by GWP-C using material developed by Caribbean WaterNet.
GWP-C in conjunction with Caribbean WaterNet, the University of the West Indies and the Office of
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) of Jamaica were responsible for
facilitating the training workshop. Twenty-three persons took part in the training workshop.

Above: Presentations and Group Working Sessions at the “Hydro-Climatic Disasters in Water Resources
Management” workshop, held at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad.

Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture Workshop

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) together with its partner, the National Irrigation
Commission Limited, conducted a workshop on Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture, on December
7th-8th, 2009 in Jamaica. The main objective of the workshop was to provide training on “Water Use
Efficiency for Agriculture” utilising the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Manual developed by the
National Irrigation Commission Limited for GWP-C.

8
The two-day workshop sought to:

 Demonstrate the benefits of improved Water Use Efficiency (WUE).

 Provide examples of demand calculation models for WUE in the agriculture sector.

 Demonstrate the methodologies for assessing the economic benefits of improved WUE.

 Explain the potential impacts of climate change on water resources use in the sector.

 Foster discussions on retrofitting the industry with WUE devices.

Above: On day two of the workshop, all twenty-nine participants were taken on the field where
they received practical demonstrations from the “Water Use Efficiency” Manual developed by the
National Irrigation Commission Limited for GWP-C.

Participants (Students and Teachers) in the “Empowering Youth to Respond to Climate

Change” Workshop, held at the Future Centre in Barbados on December 15th, 2009.

9
“Empowering Youth to Respond to Climate Change” Workshop
In its commitment to supporting capacity-building among youth in the area of Climate Change,
Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) contracted the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute
(CANARI) to facilitate the “Empowering Youth to Respond to Climate Change” workshop, which
took place on December 15th, 2009 in Barbados.

The one-day workshop targeted youth in Barbados and sought to build on previous initiatives in the
island, to empower young people to respond to climate change as well as to communicate climate
change issues to other stakeholder groups. The participants included members of environmental
clubs as well as teachers from three secondary schools.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP WERE:

 To inform a selected group of young persons in Barbados about the most recent climate
change projections for the Caribbean and discuss the implications for Barbados.

 To collectively identify innovative approaches to informing and empowering young

people to communicate about climate change to their peers and other identified target
groups.

workshop
The To identify a programme
which of activities
was facilitated for regional
by Ms. Judi youth
Clarke and Ms.toNicole
be empowered as CANARI,
Leotaud of climate was
change champions.
designed to be interactive and encourage full participation. The workshop’s agenda included:

Film Presentations: Two short films on climate change, made by and featuring Barbadian
school children.

PowerPoint presentations on: Climate Change Basics and Climate Change and Youth.

Games: Students and teachers were divided into two teams and played a Jeopardy game
with all questions based on “Climate Change.”

Vulnerability Mapping Exercise: Students were provided with an outline map of Barbados
on which they identified and drew key features, like tourism facilities, agricultural zones,
fishing communities and large centres of socio-economic activity that would be affected by
climate change.

Group Exercises: Participants were divided into 3 groups (two student groups and one
group with teachers) and were asked to develop a mini communication strategy on a
specific climate change issue by identifying; communication objectives; target audiences;
messages and channels of communication for the target audiences identified.

Discussions: The workshop discussions were very promising as students expressed that
although they understood general principles about climate change, they learnt several new
things on the developmental issue.

10
Students are seen here developing a
vulnerability map of Barbados.

Students and teachers both expressed that the workshop

increased their level of awareness about climate change
and what actions can be taken. This therefore made them
more confident to tell others about climate change. All
participants were keen to have more climate change and
environmental activities in schools – both primary and
secondary.

Outcomes of the “Empowering Youth to Respond to

Climate Change” Workshop:

 The capacity to develop a communications

strategy framework for engaging youth to respond Completed vulnerability map of
to climate change was built from the group Barbados.
activity.

 The capacity of young persons and school teachers to communicate information about
climate to others was increased.

 Initiatives in schools to support youth as climate change champions were identified. These
may also be replicated regionally.

 The level of awareness of young persons and school teachers about climate change and its
implications for their way of life was increased.

11
Resources
GWP-C Releases Its Newsletter

GWP-C will release Volume 1 of its newsletter

“Caribbean Water Insight” during the first week of
February 2010. With the development of “Caribbean
Water Insight” GWP-C hopes:

 To foster greater involvement and knowledge

sharing among its partners.

 To enhance the promotion of Integrated Water

Resources Management (IWRM) as the
approach to water resources management in
the Caribbean region.

 To foster and maintain an avenue for effective

two-way communication between GWP-C, its
partners, other IWRM stakeholders and the
global organisation.

 To inform GWP-C’s partners and keep them up-

to-date on its activities as well as the work of
other stakeholders of water resources
management in the region, among other
objectives.

12
CENTRAL AMERICA

GWP Central America

Regional Chair Position is assumed by GWP Honduras
On Friday 22nd of January, the Regional Chair position was
transferred from Mr. Tomás Fernández, Chair of GWP
Panama, to Mr. Sergio Núñez, Chair of GWP Honduras.

Mr. Núñez will have the regional representation until July this
year. He represents the NGO Fundación Vida.

The regional chair position in Central America rotates every six

months among the Chairs of the CWPs that are part of the
Steering Committee.
Sergio Núñez, Chair of GWP
Agreement with CRRH was signed Central America and Chair of
In the month of December, GWP Central America signed an GWP Honduras
agreement with the Regional Committee on Hydraulic
Resources (CRRH), having as main goal to strengthen the coordination between these two
organizations that work improving the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at the local,
national and regional level. The agreement will also facilitate the coordination and following-up
processes of plans and strategies that the Central American Integration System (SICA, by the Spanish
acronym) adopts in issues related to water resources.

Participation in the regional meeting of Alianza por el Agua

On January 25, GWP Central America, represented by Fabiola Tábora, executive secretary,
participated in the Alianza por el Agua regional meeting held in San Jose, Costa Rica. The objective of
the event was to present the report of activities for 2009 of Alianza por
el Agua. Future processes and activities were also discussed,
highlighting the preparation of a project that would include a
diversity of components to promote the participation of the
Alianza’s regional partners, in its elaboration and implementation.

Participation in the preparatory meeting towards LATINOSAN 2010

Every three years a Latin American meeting on sanitation is held in one of the countries of the area.
This year LATINOSAN will be held in Foz de Iguazú, Brazil, during the month of March. In order to
obtain the general lines of the regional sanitation strategy, during January 27 and 28, a preparatory
meeting was held in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. In this event Fabiola Tábora, participated on behalf of
GWP Central America.
The organization in charge of presenting the Regional Sanitation Strategy during LATINOSAN is
FOCARD-APS, a strategic partner of GWP Central America. In the process of the Strategy, GWP
CAM will support in the follow-up and in the conformation of national consultation committees that
will include different sectors responsible of the implementation, at the national level.

GWP Central America published new documents

During December and January, GWP Central America published documents and promotional
materials that are shared with partners and other stakeholders.
The documents published in Spanish are:
IWRM Manual in Basins (GWP/INBO)

13
 Drink Water and Sanitation Experiences with and
IWRM approach in El Salvador (GWP Central
America/Alianza por el Agua)
Drink Water and Sanitation Experiences with an
IWRM approach in Nicaragua (GWP Central
America/Alianza por el Agua)
Drink Water and Sanitation Experiences with an
IWRM approach in Honduras (GWP Central
America/Alianza por el Agua/RAS-HON)
Drink Water and Sanitation Experiences with an
IWRM approach in Guatemala (GWP Central
America/Alianza por el Agua)
Memory of the VII Central American Legislators
Conference on Water Resources (GWP Central
America, Alianza por el Agua, AECID)

The promotional materials produced are:

Calendars with information about GWP
Entre Aguas bulletin

The documents produced are available at www.gwpcentroamerica.org in a pdf version.

GWP Central America supported GWP South America in the organization of a workshop for
journalists on IWRM
During November and December, Marianela
Argüello, Communications officer of GWP Central
America, supported GWP South America in the
organization of a workshop for journalists. This
workshop was held in Santiago, Chile, from
December 16th to the 18th.
A presentation about the Journalists Network on
Water Resources was done during the event. As well,
GWP Central America identified a journalist form
Nicaragua who presented his work covering water
Marianela Argüello, Communications
issues. A newspaper article was published in El
Officer of GWP Central America, sharing
Nuevo Diario, regarding the event and the
information during the event. Picture
participation of Oliver Gomez, editor of this provided by: GWP South America
newspaper. The article can be located at:
http://www.gwpcentroamerica.org/uploaded/content/article/1443176850.pdf

GWP and IWRM are now in the Spanish Wikipedia

In coordination with the communications department of GWPO, GWP Central America worked in
the creation of information about GWP and IWRM in the Spanish Wikipedia. This virtual
encyclopedia is visited by many people interested in locating a variability of information. Now, with
this new wiki sites related to our network, Spanish speaking people can learn the basic information
about GWP and IWRM.

Asociación Mundial para el Agua (Global Water Partnership) Spanish Wikipedia Site:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asociaci%C3%B3n_Mundial_para_el_Agua

14
GIRH (Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos) Spanish Wikipedia Site:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIRH

GWP Costa Rica

Supporting the socialization of the National Plan on IWRM of Costa Rica

During the months of December and
January, five workshops with the objective to
promote the National Plan on IWRM were
held in Guanacaste, San Carlos, Limón, Pérez
Zeledón and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. In each
of the workshops near 30 representatives
from local institutions participated.
GWP Costa Rica supported the realization of
these workshops, as part of the follow-up
and socialization process to promote the
implementation of this important instrument
for the integrated management of water in José Miguel Zeledón, Water Director of Costa Rica,
the country. addressing to the participants in the workshop
held in Pérez Zeledón. Picture provided by: GWP Costa
Rica
GWP Panama

General Assembly of Members of GWP Panama

GWP Panama organized the General Assembly of Members on December 22, in Panama City. The
main points discussed were the presentation of the report of activities of GWP Panama during 2009,
as well as the Work Plan Proposal for 2010. Tomás Fernández, Chair of GWP Panama, was in charge
of these presentations, including in the report the information of his representation as Chair of GWP
Central America from July 2009 till January 2010.
Near 20 people participated representing
partner organizations as: Comité Nacional para
el Programa Hidrológico Internacional
(CoNaPHI), Universidad Tecnológica de
Panamá (UTP), Autoridad Nacional del
Ambiente (ANAM), Asociación Interamericana
de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental
(PANAIDIS), Fundación NATURA, Instituto
de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales
(IDAAN), Asociación Panamá Verde, Red de
Periodistas y Comunicadores Agroambientales Tomás Fernández, Chair of GWP Panama,
presenting the information during the General
para el Desarrollo Sostenible de Panamá,
Assembly of Members. Picture provided by: GWP
Comisión Interinstitucional de la Cuenca Panama
Hidrográfica del Canal de Panamá
(CICH), among others.

Promoting GWP with other stakeholders

Having as objective to promote and show
to other stakeholders information about
GWP, Tomás Fernández, Chair of GWP
Panama distributed promotional material
to the members of the Consultative Board

15
Meeting of the Consultative Board of Los Hules-
Tinajones and Caño Quebrado. Picture provided by: GWP
of Los Hules-Tinajones and Caño Quebrado, in a meeting held on January 21, in the community La
Zanguenga.
The Consultative Board is a participatory organization model that promotes consultation and
consensus among the key stakeholders for the sustainable use of their natural resources, mainly the
water resources in the sub basins that are part of the Panama Channel Basin. Near 25 groups from the
social, economic, political and environmental sectors formed the Board. Also, there is a Local Group
of Technical Advise formed by 10 regional institutions.

Socialization workshop of Central American IWRM instruments

The 27th of January, the Socialization Workshop of the Central American IWRM Instruments
(ECAGIRH and PACAGIRH) was held in Panama City. The partner organization GEMAS, in charge
of the convocation, made extensive the invitation to all the partner organizations of GWP Panama.
Near 20 people participated, among them representatives from the Health Ministry, the National
Environmental Authority (ANAM), and the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and
Environmental Engineering (PANAIDIS), among others.
The participants now are familiar to the content of the IWRM instruments, which is useful
information in the work that they develop, and which will contribute to accomplish a sustainable
management of water in the country and in the region.

GWP Honduras

GWP Honduras joints efforts with RAS-HON to publish and present a document
The 14th of January, the organizations involved in the publication of the document titled “Drink Water
and Sanitation Experiences with an IWRM approach in Honduras”, held a public event to present the
experiences and the document.

In this event, more than 30 people

participated, representing partner
organizations, government institutions, and
academia, among others.

Further than present the document, this

public event showed the concrete interest to
link the work of two networks with presence
in Honduras, in order to accomplish more
results of their actions. These networks are Participants of the event held in Tegucigalpa
the Drink Water and Sanitation Network of
Honduras (RAS-HON, by the Spanish acronym) and GWP Honduras.

The publication of this document contributes in the process of sharing experiences that can lead to the
implementation of integrated strategies in water and sanitation actions and projects.
The event was organized with the support of GWP Central America, GWP Honduras and Alianza por
el Agua. The organizations involved in the elaboration of the experiences, and publication of the
document were: GWP Central America, Alianza por el Agua, RAS-HON, Peace Corps-Honduras,
CARE-Honduras, JAPOE, CATIE, Fundación Vida, Agua para el Pueblo and SANAA. The last four
organizations are partners of GWP.

16
GWP Guatemala

Meetings held in Guatemala

The 17th of December, the members of GWP Guatemala participated in the General Assembly, to
discuss the main themes of the work developed during 2009.
The same day, representatives from GWP Guatemala participated in a work meeting with other water
networks with presence in Guatemala. The main issue discussed was the governance of water in the
country. The organizations participating were: the Water and Sanitation Network of Guatemala
(RASGUA, by the Spanish acronym), Freshwater Action Network –Central America (FANCA) and
ACICAFOC. Support was given by AVINA and Alianza por el Agua.

Future events

First Central American Fair of Community Water Management

In San Jose, Costa Rica, from March 19 to the 24 of 2010, under the frame of the World Water Day,
different organizations, including GWP Central America, will hold the First Central American Fair of
Community Water Management.

Steering Committee Meeting

The XVI Meeting of the Steering Committee will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, the 20th and 21st of
March, 2010.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Activities
Liviu Nicolae Popescu (Regional Chair), Milan Matuska (Regional Coordinator) and Monika Jetzin
(Public Participation Task Force) took part in 12 Ordinary Meeting of the International Commission for the
Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in Vienna, Austria on 10-11 December 2009. The meeting is
attended by heads of delegations to The Danube River Protection Convention, who are typically high
level officers from Ministries responsible for water. The meeting was important for GWP CEE in
several aspects. GWP CEE Chair Liviu Nicolae Popescu stepped down from leading ICPDR
Monitoring and Assessment Expert Group. The delegations appreciated his long term commitment of
leading the Group and facilitating communication between GWP CEE/GWP and ICPDR. With
regards to the Danube Strategy, Regional Coordinator has offered support in transfer of experience
from Baltic to the Danube region. As the first step GWP CEE has applied for an observer status in
Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), trans-boundary commission covering Baltic Sea. Ordinary Meeting
set a ground for Ministerial Meeting taking place in Vienna on 16 February 2010 where Ministers
formally endorse the first international River Basin Management Plan which is a milestone for
implementation of EU Water Framework Directive. ICPDR also discussed development of river
commissions web portal where GWP and GWP CEE can assist, e.g. the portal could be hosted in GWP
ToolBox website. GWP ToolBox Officer and GWP CEE Regional Secretariat will participate in the first
working meeting which is slated for end of February. ICPDR highly appreciated involvement of GWP
CEE Public Participation Task Force in ICPDR activities, especially during 29 June Danube Day and
Stakeholder Forum.

CEE ToolBox Focal Point submitted a case study to ToolBox “Urbanization and wetland restoration:
Conflict or Concord?” The case study summarises experience from implementation of European Union
LIFE co-funded project in national nature reserve Sur in Western Slovakia. In the past, the wetland
has suffered from drainage projects in the area that diverted water away during spring floods, so vital

17
for life of wetland fauna and flora. Sur is also close to fast growing capital city of Bratislava. This
means a high pressure from sprawl of its urban areas. Arable land around the nature reserve has been
turned into building plots and residential housing projects soon came into conflict with Sur ecosystem
protection function. A case study No 367 is now published at ToolBox:
http://www.gwptoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_case&id=254&Itemid=47.

Liviu Nicolae Popescu (Regional Chair), Milan Matuska (Regional Coordinator) and Monika Jetzin
(Public Participation Task Force) will participate in the First Conference on the EU Strategy for the
Danube Region in Ulm, Germany on 1-2 February. Danube Strategy is one of regional strategies
prepared under European Commission helm. It should be ready by 2011 and will be presented by
Hungarian presidency to European Union. Main strategy topics include transport, energy,
environment, risk prevention, socio-economic development, education, institutional capacity and
identity / culture. GWP CEE can help with lessons learned from Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania and Poland) that already have the Baltic Strategy in place. As water is part of almost each
strategy topic, GWP CEE role will be to ensure that IWRM policy gaps identified by the water
partnership (sustainable sanitation in rural areas, flash floods) are properly addressed by the strategy.
GWP CEE can also offer its experience with multi stakeholder dialogues that the water partnership
has been facilitating over the past 10 years. For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/danube/index_en.htm

Five water experts (Khusrav Sharifov, Shahlo Rahimova, Alisho Shomahmadov, Mirzo Saidov, Anvar
Hamidov, and Firuz Davlatov) from Tajikistan visited National Institute of Meteorology and
Hydrology (GWP partner) and CWP in Sofia city from 11 to 16 January 2010. The discussion focused
on implementation of IWRM in climate changes conditions in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Main
outcome is establishment of future collaboration between the hydro-meteorological services in
Bulgaria and Tajikistan in the field of extreme weather events and early warning systems, and
dissemination the results in GWP CEE and CACENA region.

Tajikistan water experts meet with GWP partners in Sofia, Bulgaria on 13 January 2010. Credit:
Vesselin Alexandrov.

GWP Bulgaria co-organized seminar on good practices for wastewater treatment technologies of
agglomerations above 10,000 inhabitants on 20 January 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event brought
together about 100 participants who were briefed about new procedure of Ministry of Environment
and Water (MOEW) regarding use of European Union funds for water supply and sanitation works.
Also, the presentations of more effective and less expensive waste water treatment plants than
conventional wastewater treatment plants were done. The discussion will continue on 18 March in
the frame of the Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) round table “Sustainable and cost
effective wastewater treatment in rural areas in Bulgaria and Romania”. The main question is how to reach
the proper sanitation and wastewater treatment in Bulgarian and Romanian agglomerations with less
than 2,000 and 10,000 people. GWP Bulgaria is a relevant partner of the Ministry of Environment and

18
Water as well as of many municipalities for dissemination of good practices of IWRM/WFD
implementation. The good examples will be used in local cost effective projects saving European
funds and national budget.

Seminar on cost effective technologies for wastewater treatment in agglomerations above 10,000
inhabitants. Credit: Milkana Mochurova

GWP Moldova presented results of the Bic workshop to Local Authorities from Calaras, Anenii-Noi
Administrative Councils and Subdivisions of the Chisinau magistrate. Total 35 local authorities were
contacted. As a result, development of the plan was included in the activities of the Chisinau
Magistrate under Department for Environment and Social Protection of the Chisinau magistrate in
cooperation with subdivisions responsible for water management. In addition, GWP Moldova
participated in preparation of educational curriculum for water management in Free International
University of Moldova which was approved on the Department Council on 22 December 2009.

GWP Romania took part in 13th Shipping Conference, organized by national government on 2-3
December 2009. At the Conference, GWP Romania Chair, Liviu Nicolae Popescu stressed that
navigation has to take into consideration principles of integrated water resources management during
technical design of the waterways and their operation. He also mentioned that stakeholder
participation in navigation projects is crucial in order to minimize impact on water environment
during the waterways maintenance and harbor operation. Participants called for respecting
recommendations of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and involvement of civil
society and stakeholders from potentially affected areas. GWP Romania offered its expertise in
running such consultation meetings, bringing together navigation planners, governments and NGOs.
This was received positively and in spring and summer of 2010, EIA/SEA Research Institute and GWP
Romania will organize consultation meetings on the local level for new navigation projects. Since new
developments can influence neighboring countries of Bulgaria and Ukraine, the consultations might
be organized in these countries as well. During the consultations, “Guiding Principles for the
Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin”
adopted by International Sava River Basin Commission, Danube Commission and International
Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, will be presented to navigation sector, designers
of waterways and NGOs. The principles are based on sustainable water management development
principles and Water Framework Directive.

In January 2010, GWP Romania disseminated GWP publications during meetings with Ministry of
Environment and Forest, National Administration “Apele Romane” (ANAR) and National Research
Institute for Marine Geology and Geoecology (GEOECOMAR).

19
Discussions with ANAR and GEOECOMAR in Bucharest. Credit: Liviu Nicolae Popescu

December 2009 marked 5th anniversary of the project called “Children Waste Watch” initiated and co-
organized by GWP Slovakia and NGO Aktivita in the Lokca municipality, located in the Northern
part of Slovakia. The project is focused on environmental awareness rising of young people and
introduction of basic measures to prevent the deterioration of the local water streams by the solid
waste. During the previous five years more than 300 hundreds basic and secondary school pupils
were involved in the project. They carried out practical monitoring of the village streets and local
creeks for illegal municipal waste dumps. As a result, more than 3000 plastic bottles were collected as
well as several bigger dumps identified and reported to the mayor of the village. Since the project
start, all illegal municipal waste dumps were removed and the project also significantly contributed
to introduction of waste separation system in the village. Every year, based on the monitoring, the
village street with the most amount of waste was selected and publicized. One of the most difficult
problems of the Lokca village, identified during project implementation, was illegal dumping of the
solid waste on the creek banks. Therefore, Children Waste Watch has co-operated very closely with
mayor and municipality parliament in Lokca to initialize the legal measures to prevent spreading of
the solid waste in the village. In the future, it is expected that the experience from this project will be
transferred into other parts of the Orava region. Some of the villages have already expressed interest
for such activities. Furthermore, Children Waste Watch will continue in Lokca in the next years as
well. The project showed that co-operation between the local government and the young people
increased local community environmental awareness and at the same time, involved young
generation into community development issues. Furthermore, it can serve as a model for future
sustainable planning activities in the village.

Children Waste Watch in Lokca local municipality. Credit: Aktivita

In December 2009, GWP Slovenija was invited by the Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia to
participate in the project “Sustainable Management of Natural Assets and Protected Areas along

20
International River Corridors in SEE Countries (SNAPA)” as relevant stakeholder and observer. Project
proposal was sent in frame of European Union funded transnational cooperation program South East
Europe. Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited GWP Slovenija (Martina Zupan) to participate in the
organization of the Conference “Water in International Relations”; held on 3 February 2010 in Ljubljana
under the auspices of Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Žbogar. The purpose of the conference is to
combine approaches of the social and natural sciences and make recommendations for a holistic
approach. Invitation came in recognition of GWP Slovenija role as a key stakeholder in water
management issues. HUMANITAS, society for human rights and supportive action, invited GWP
Slovenija to give the presentation on GWP activities at the conference “Water as a Global Challenge”,
held on 18 March 2010 in Ljubljana.

In December 2009, GWP Consulting Partners (SCWM, UCEWP) together with US GWP Partner
(ICIWaRM, Dr E. Stakhiv) organized the first inter-academic US-Ukrainian meeting on scientific
approaches to adaptation to climate change in water sector (including flood protection activities in
Carpathian Region). GWP Ukraine (MAMA-86, DIUEVR, UCEWP) provided in December 2009
support to Dresden University (Germany) project on needs assessment in river basin management
planning (Western Buh River Basin in Ukraine) development and to the seminar on training in river
basin planning using training course developed with GWP Ukraine.

Resources
GWP Romania finalized translation of “Handbook for Integrated Water Resources Management in Basins”
and TEC 13 “Managing the other side of the water cycle: Making wastewater an asset“. The translations will
be further edited and peer reviewed. Translation of the “GWP Strategy for 2009-2013” is underway.
Since English language is still not widely spoken in the region, publications translated and printed by
GWP Romania will be available on Country Water Partnership website and disseminated to
boundary partners during common events, such as World Water Day.

CHINA

1. Participating in meeting on international cooperation

On January 11, 2010, the meeting on international cooperation was organized in Beijing by the
Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Water Resources.
The representatives from related departments, the units directly under the Ministry and Secretariat of
International Organizations in China such as Chinese National Committee on Irrigation and
Drainage, Chinese National Committee on Large Dams, GWP China etc. were invited. Mr. Zheng
Rugang, Coordinator of GWP China, participated in this meeting.

The participants exchanged experiences on multilateral international cooperation in water

community and discussed about way forward for further development in coming years. Mr. Zheng
made a presentation on GWP China and the activities carried out in 2009 in particular and was
welcomed by other participants.

2. The Second Meeting of the Second Council of GWP China

The Second Meeting of the Second Council of GWP China was held on January 25, 2010 in Beijing.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Wang Shucheng, Chair of GWP China, with presence of 28 members
of the Council. As the representative of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Liu Zhiguang, Deputy
Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, attended
the meeting and delivered a speech. The Secretary Generals of GWP China’s provincial and river
basin WPs also attended the meeting as observers.

21
The reports on work in 2009 and plans for 2010 were presented by GWP China Secretariat and the
provincial and river basin WPs at the meeting. After the review and discussions by the participants,
these reports were adopted. At the meeting, the 33 nominations for the new GWP China Technical
Committee (TEC) members presented by Mr. Wang Shucheng was also approved.

3. Discussion about the Program of Evaluation of Post-quake Rural Water Supply Facilities and the
Capacity Building

The discussion was taken place in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on January 29, 2010. As the host, the
Project Management Office (PMO) of Sichuan Province invited GWP China and Shaanxi Provincial
PMO to discuss and work out plans for implementation of this program. This is the first time for the
three parties to meet, discuss and jointly develop a cooperative program. The program was
financially underpinned by the DFID. By working and cooperating with different type of partners, it
will help to explore new fund raising channels for GWP China.

The program coordinated by GWP China for implementation, includes such components as on-site
surveys, training and the final summary meeting.

SOUTH AMERICA

22
 Journalists incorporate IWRM concepts in first
Workshop for Communicators in Chile.

The 1st Workshop for Journalists in Chile, “AGUACOM -

Comunicador@s por el Agua en el SXXI”, took place from
16 to 18 December at the Gabriela Mistral University of
Santiago de Chile, and gathered about 30 journalists and
communicators from the region around Integrated Water
Resources Management (IWRM).
GWP South America’s Chair, Santiago
Ruiz Freites, participates in the The workshop was organized by GWP South America,
discussions Government of Chile (DGA, Dirección General de Aguas),
Gabriela Mistral University, and INEH -the National Initiative for Water Efficiency-, and had the
purpose of “increasing the discussions about such an important topic requires well-informed
journalists” because without water, there is “no life, no development nor progress”, as Alfonso
Serrano, from UGM’s, said at the opening session.

In her speech, Ma Angélica Alegría -recently elected President of the new CWP to be formalized soon
in Chile-, showed that many times the press issues are not linked to water issues. “Our technical look
sometimes does not correspond with the press’ agenda and timings” she said, as she announced that
the exhibition would show how certain technical issues were interpreted and transmitted by the
media.

For his part, the President of GWP South America SC, Santiago Ruiz Freites, made an introduction to
topics on Integrated Water Resources Management, and referred the various conflicts that may be
developed around water: “Water is one” he said, ”this indicates that its management should be a
single, integrated approach. The problem so far has been segmentation and fragmentation on its
management”. Later, the Nicaraguan journalist Oliver Gomez presented an international case study
which consisted in an extensive research around bottled water in his country, as an example of how a
journalist should address issues related to water resources.

There were broad and rich discussions among participants, and different approaches were made,
from diverse realities and points of views. Due to a small survey at the end of the workshop, it was
possible to identify some of the topics that most attracted the attention of the audience: The concept of
“water efficiency label”, a presentation that reveals the need for a new concept of the city and
recycling and water conservation; the water normative and laws, the conflicts around water and the
case studies showing how water issues are handled in the media.

The objectives of the workshop were “accomplished”, said Santiago Ruiz, and stated that the daily
struggle for more and better information about these issues “is not easy, but it can be done” by raising
awareness of the society, and showing the tools to help journalists in their work, something for which
GWP is committed to provide support.

Second Conference of Legislators and First IWRM Workshop in Peru

On December 4th, the Second Conference of Legislators and the First Workshop on IWRM with
regional government authorities was organized by GWP Peru with support from Peru's Amazonian
Parliament of National Congress and the National Water Authority-ANA, and focused on “IWRM
Institutional Framework and Financing Mechanisms”.

During this event, participants expressed a shared view on the need to support the implementation of

23
the new water normative in the country, to which GWP South America had a key contribution,
learning from the IWRM knowledge and experience at the basin level, developed by GWP Peru. The
approach to integrated water management was strengthened within the national governments
institutional representatives, regional and local representatives of the Legislative, Technical
Cooperation, universities, scientific society and civil society, as well as representatives of the National
Board of Irrigation Users of Peru who participated in rich dialogues about water management and
financing.

At the same time, participants became aware of innovative mechanisms -exposed by the Ministry of
Finance- and successful initiatives related to IWRM and financing, referring to the State's investment
in the project for the Modernization of the Water Resources Management, the Irrigation Program
(PSI), and drinking water and sanitation projects. The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Project
emphasized the gap in such services, particularly in those rural areas without a Sanitation Services
Provider (EPS), remarking the potential of these units to access financial sources such as commercial
banks and private pension funds. It was also exposed the experience of bringing this kind of
financing to new markets in Peru, profitable project opportunities, and the “Caja Municipal de
Cusco” with its micro financing project ‘Bañito San’, aimed to improve the sanitation conditions of
lower income rural families.

The importance of this conference lies in the fact that the water institutions -represented by
consultants and top level officials of the National Water Authority – ANA-, recognize that the IWRM
model, adopted by the country since Water Resources Act, Law 29,338 -to which GWP had a major
contribution-, presents an approach that challenges the organizational structures of the State, and the
users’ ways of being involved and affected by decisions. It was also important the participation of
users and all civil and scientific society for the better understanding of their respective roles in the
planning and management of water in the three major basins of Peru, at the time it was enhanced the
importance of the political will and efforts of the institutions and direct actors at all levels.

Forum on “Climate Change and IWRM” creates interest for a

sub-national association in GWP Peru

11 December 2009 – the “Forum for Awareness on Climate

Change, Glaciers and Integrated Water Resource Management
in the Andes and its relationship to the Amazon basin”, took
place in the city of Tarapoto, Province of San Martin, Peru. 80
participants, among teachers in the environment area,
professionals from NGOs, universities, technological institutes
and civil society, attended the event organized by GWP Peru, with the support of San Martin’s
Regional Government and other government institutions and organizations (IIAP, SENAMHI).

At the opening panel, Dr. Luis Campos Baca, Chair of GWP Peru, evidenced the role of GWP and the
importance of integrated water resources management - IWRM. The main lecture was provided by
Mr. Julio Ordóñez, Director of Hydrology of SENAMHI (National Service of Meteorology and
Hydrology), who talked about “Hydrological cycle, climate change, glaciers and IWRM in the Andes,
in relation to the Amazon basin”. As a complement, the Provincial Municipality of San Martín
exposed on the treatment for rainwater in the city of Tarapoto, and EMAPA –a water and sanitation
service provider- discussed about climate change and its influence: water problems due to the
absence of proper management, the need for implementation of IWRM principles, risk management,
impacts of climate change, glacial origin of the great Amazon rivers, as well as lessons and
experiences of sanitation sector at regional level.

24
After a session of questions and answers, the participants as a whole expressed the need to formalize
a sub-national association in San Martin, seeking to create a working agenda with regional demands,
under the guidelines of GWP Peru.

25
SOUTH ASIA

India Water Partnership Report for the Month of December, 2009

(i) 17th Board of Governors’ (BoG) Meeting and 7th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of India
Water Partnership (IWP)

17th Board of Governors’ Meeting and 7th Annual General Body Meeting of India Water Partnership
(IWP) was held on 12th December, 2009 at Institute for Studies in Industrial Development( ISID), the
host Institute of India Water Partnership . The main outcome of the meetings are given below :

The Board appreciated the efforts of Search Committee and expressed appreciation for its
recommendation for continuation of Prof. S R Hashim as Chair, IWP and happily ratified the same.

Nomination of one member each from the Ministry of Water Resources; Govt. of India, Planning
Commission; Indian Council Agricultural Research; two members from IWP Zonal Water
Partnership, and one member each from Government of Gujarat, Government of Bihar and
Government of Haryana on the Board of IWP was approved.

Dr. Veena Khanduri presented the Work Plan and Budget for 2010 before the members which were
discussed in detail and suggestions were sought from the IWP partners for smooth implementation of
the Work Plan. The Progress Report on IWP activities undertaken during quarter-2 and quarter-3 and
activities completed/on-going was placed in both the meetings for information of the BoG members
as well as General Body members.

The Board approved to appoint M/s H S Ahuja & Co. Chartered Accountants, H-61, Gobind
Mansion, Connought Circus, New Delhi-110001 as Auditors for IWP for the year 2009.

(ii) Workshop on Water and Livelihood Security in the Eastern and North-Eastern Zones of India
on December 14-15, 2009 organized by IWP East Zone Partner -KINSPARC, Kalyani, West
Bengal

The KINSPARC, a Partner and East Zone Coordinator of

India Water Partnership (IWP), New Delhi organized a
Two-Day Workshop on “Water and Livelihood Security in the
Eastern and North-Eastern Zones of India” on December 14-
15 at Kalyani. The workshop was sponsored and supported by
the India Water Partnership (IWP).

The Workshop was held following a year long programme of

research and study of low cost water saving technology to
solve the problem of water in the eastern zone. It was preceded by a Round Table Conference of
South Asian countries organized by India Water Partnership and Global Water Partnership held in
New Delhi on November 5-6, 2009.

The Eastern and North-Eastern India is characterized by wide variations in natural, soil-climatic,
social, economic and overall ecosystems. A major characteristic of the water-climate scenario of the

26
region is the virtual co-existence of excesses and scarcity of water in the region, frequent occurrence of
droughts and floods following each other in succession. Principal objective of the workshop was to
organize a dialogue among members from the states of Bihar, Orrisa, Jharkhand & West Bengal from
East zone, Manipur from North-East zone and research institutions for the purpose of disseminating
the nature and effectiveness of low cost water saving technologies found suitable for adoption by
farmers and other water users mainly for agriculture and sanitation. Papers and discussions
highlighted available technologies designed to deal with the growing incidence of natural calamities
in the region, which technologies were adopted by farmers and water users, and what had been their
benefits and costs.

The multi-stakeholders’ platform has proven their effectiveness in bringing different actors and their
agendas together to discuss effectiveness and acceptability of various low cost water saving
technologies by the stakeholders (Central Govt., Departments of Rural Development of various State
Govts., water users’ groups, watershed managers, farmers, community, etc.) and also constraints in
transfer and dissemination of these technologies.

The zonal level dialogue on water and livelihood security

which mainly focused on low cost water saving technologies
made the situation analysis about the Eastern and North-
Eastern zone of India more accessible to all the stakeholders The
efforts to raise awareness gave added confidence to State
Panchayati Raj Institutions, Indian Council of Agriculture
Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras with responsibility for better
water resource planning.

About sixty participants attended and twelve papers were

presented at the workshop. Participants included Water Resource Management Experts, Water
Scientists and Technologists, Sanitation and Livelihood Professionals, Agronomists and Agricultural
Scientists, Economists and other Social Scientists, Policy makers and Administrators. To name some
of the distinguished participants: Dr. Rangan Dutta, Scientific Consultant to the PSA, Government of
India, Shri Gourishankar Chattopadhyay, IAS, Director, State Institute of Panchayat & Rural
Development (SIPRD), West Bengal, Additional Director Shri Tapas Ray, and other faculty from the
SIPRD Professor S.R. Hashim, Chair, and Dr.Veena Khanduri, Adviser, IWP, New Delhi, Professor Alok
Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kalyani, Professor Shantanu Jha, Chair, Kalyani
Municipality, Prof. Dr. Asis Mazumdar, Director, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur
University, Kolkata, West Bengal and several other faculty members and students from Universities
and Colleges attended. Overall, the Workshop was well attended and created warm response and
interest from research institutions to community based organizations.

Interaction of zonal partners with researchers/ scientists indicated that how far and how many of the
technologies have been adopted by the farmers and why some technologies have been not found
acceptable. To facilitate transfer of these water saving technologies to small and medium farmers, the
community, scientists and policy makers had an in-depth discussions on selected technologies from
the points of its appropriateness and feasibility. The zonal water partners and researchers were
convinced that need based location specific, socially and economically acceptable and environmental
friendly technologies are easily accepted and adopted by the small and medium farmers. This
signifies a change in the perception of the stakeholders for holistic approach to the management of
water resources.

27
Through this dialogue, it is recognized that solution to the water crisis in Eastern & North-Eastern
India will not be found solely through technological advances. Instead, there is an urgent need that
scientific organizations/technical research institutions must involve the zonal water partners in their
adaptive research programmes. Scientists also realized that technological research is not meaningful
unless it is adopted by the community in large. Hence the scientists agreed to involve zonal water
partners in their respective states across the zones for demonstration of these low cost water saving
technologies in some of the gram panchayats of above mentioned States.

(iii) Summary of the Report on “ Study on Viable Options in Drinking Water along Gujarat’s
Coastline”

IWP West zone partner, Utthan completed the report on “Viable Options in Drinking Water along
Gujarat’s Coastline”. The study covered six districts namely ; Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagarh, Amreli,
Rajkot & Bhavnagar of Gujarat located along the coastline. The coastline districts are ingress due to
salinity problem which in turn has adversely impacted the agricultural production. Salinity has also
impacted the livelihoods of the community as lands have degraded and major problem of drinking
water. This has resulted the local people to migrate in search of the livelihoods.

Though numerous options have been implemented by the Government/NGOs/CBOs to tackle the
drinking water problem but these options mainly focus on rain water harvesting. To understand the
these options, Utthan took-up the study to understand the options/new technologies that have been
implemented in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat that mitigates drinking water problem, the role of
intervening agencies and use the findings of the study to advocate for changes in the policy to
adopt/discard the options of drinking water. One of the option analyzed by Utthan is from Chaya
village of block Ghogha, District Bhavnagar, the details of which are given below:

Location of the village : Chaya village is located 6 Kms away from the sea coast. 30 % of the land in
this village consists of Government’s fallow land, village common pasture land and undulated land.
There is a small stream near the village. Through lift irrigation, water from wells is used in the farms.

Intervention : A small dug well is the main source of drinking water during monsoons. Looking into
the problem of water scarcity, the community planned to construct series of check dams on the small
stream near the village. In all 4 check dams were constructed. The harvested water would recharge
the ground water especially around the dug well that is the only source of drinking water. This
source (dug well) was finally made usable for the entire year. To sustain the operations and
maintenance of the water source, a Pani Samiti was constituted and water distribution plan was
chalked out.

Analysis : Utthan was able to develop water resource management to so that water can reach every
house of the village through distribution system. Some of the important highlights are as under :

(i) The technological options provided to mitigate the drinking water problems of Chaya village
were the best options based on the location and geophysical attributes of the village.
(ii) For the operation and management of the village water sources, support from the community
was sought and collective decision making process was initiated.
(iii) The four check dams on the small stream, well recharge and pond deepening have been
instrumental in ground water recharge.
(iv) The role of Pani Samiti and the women is important in operation and management of the
water systems in the village.

28
(iv) Summary of the Report on “ Low Cost Water Saving Technologies in Central Zone of India”
The central zone comprises of states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It was one single state of
Madhya Pradesh, out of which Chhattisgarh region was declared a separate state in the Union of
India in the year 2000. It is surrounded by planes of upper Ganges in the north, Godavari Valley in
south, plains of Gujarat in west and Orissa and Bihar in east. Vindhya, Satpura and Mekaal ranges are
spread east – west in the region. As a result of its geographical setting, all rivers flow out of it. Major
rivers are –Narmada, Tapti, Chambal, Mahanadi and Indrāvati. Average rainfall is approx. 800 mm
but the wetter western part , particularly the Malwa-Nimar area ,has been receiving steadily reducing
rainfall over last 30years, as much as 20% in some locations. Besides the water management
challenges represented by extreme seasonality of hydrological events, it suffers from climatic
extremes and other counter productive phenomena, e.g. drought, floods and hailstorm.

The study included a short survey of indigenous and traditional methods of conservation and supply
of water for agricultural and drinking purposes. One among them is the PAT system of irrigation
adopted by the tribal of Jhabua, and Barwani districts of western M.P. Here Bhil tribal take advantage
of the peculiarities of the terrain to divert water from swift flowing from hill streams into irrigation
channels. It looks like against the law of gravity but it is a reality and being practiced by Bhils since
more than last four decades. The principle is simple. A stream is embanked at a place to provide a
static head of 30 to 60 cm, sufficient to divert water into channels the gradient of which is less than
that of streambed. In effect water from hilly streams (nallas) flows into which irrigate fields at higher
altitudes than the stream-bed. Bhils select spots from their experience.

Away from the hilly terrain of Jhabua district, lie the plains of Jabalpur and Narsinghpur districts in
Mahakoshal region of Central zone. It is in the upper part of Narmada Valley. A cultivation system
based on water harvesting and run-off farming has been in practice here since long. It is called
Haveli system. Under this system, rainwater is stored in fields which have bunds or bundhaan i.e.
embankments, approx. one meter high; on four sides. When sowing time for Kharif crops arrives,
water is allowed, gradually, to flow out from the fields by making a cut, first a narrow one, and then
deeper in the bundhaan. This cut is called mongha. There is always an understanding amongst farmers
as when to release water which flows from one field to another and then to another till it reaches a
nallah, river or lake. But this system is now “dying” for three reasons:- (1) Change in cropping
pattern:-Farmers are sowing soybean in Kharif, and don’t allow fields to be filled with water.(2)
Sprinkler irrigation is increasing (3) Tube wells are coming up in large numbers.

The study recommends the following:

To save water and reduce cost in agriculture, recognition must be given to innovative and sustainable
farm practices, even if they are in experimental stage. Farmers should be encouraged to use inputs
which require less irrigation in a crop season. Organic farming has answers to many problems arising
nowadays in chemical farming. Farmers showing ways to improve agriculture with low cost inputs
with water saving technologies should be rewarded by village panchayats and other govt. bodies.

Raising awareness on water sector issues is necessary. Cooperation of media is important in

informing people in rural areas on low cost water technologies. Hence a water-media network in
central zone should be established within the framework of Global Water Partnership (GWP).

29
India Water Partnership Monthly Report for January, 2010

(i) Participation of Dr. Veena Khanduri in five day Regional Conference on “Climate Change
& Water Resources: IWRM as a Tool to Cope with Changing Conditions of the Climate
Change System” organized at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 10th to 14th January, 2010

Dr. Veena Khanduri represented India Water Partnership a five day Regional Conference on
“Climate Change & Water Resources: IWRM as a Tool to Cope with Changing Conditions of
the Climate Change System” was organized at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 10th to 14th January,
2010. The Regional Conference was organized by CapNet South Asia Regional Secretariat
host institution Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS). The aim of this five day
Regional Conference was to develop capacity building material on climate change impacts on
water resources and IWRM as a tool to cope with changing conditions of the climate and
prepare a manual for imparting training to the trainers. The Conference also aimed to
strengthen CapNet South Asia Network. Over 70 participants representing from CapNet
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan & Nepal, Scientists from BCAS, Bangladesh
government representative, students, NGOs and officials from Bangladesh Water
Development Board, UNEP, etc. participated in the Conference.

The five day conference provided basic and advance knowledge about IWRM and climate
change at the beginning followed by sharing of case studies from across the region on
impacts of climate change on water use sectors like agriculture, water supply, sanitation,
health, industry, energy, etc. The participants were given four group exercises to facilitate the
participants to come up with developing adaptation plans within IWRM framework.

At the end of the Conference, each group comprising of participants from across the South
Asian region presented sector specific case studies within IWRM framework and best case
study and group work were given prizes.

During the workshop, Dr. Khanduri had the privilege to chair one Session-IV Theme, 2 on
“Case Studies : Impacts of Climate Change on Water Use Sector” and also led two group
exercises.

(ii) Initiation of a Pilot Project “Access to Safe Drinking Water and Improving the State of
Sanitation & Eliminating Open Defecation in a Cluster of 5 villages of Sarati Gram
Panchayat” in the neighbourhood of Kalyani, West Bengal

Pursuant upon a successful workshop organized by IWP partner and East zone Coordinator,
KINSPARC on “Water and Livelihood Security in the Eastern and North-Eastern Zones of
India “ on 14th & 15th December, 2009, KINSPARC in collaboration with IWP has proposed to
take-up an implementation project “Access to Safe Drinking Water and Improving the State
of Sanitation & Eliminating Open Defecation in a Cluster of 5 villages of Sarati Gram
Panchayat” in the neighbourhood of Kalyani, West Bengal through funds mobilized from the
Government under Member of Parliament’s Local Area Development Scheme.

With the active interest and initiatives taken-up by the Chair, IWP, Dr. Arjun Sengupta,
Member of Parliament, Government of India written to Government of West Bengal for
implementation of the above project. Follow-up actions are being taken-up vigorously by the
Chair, IWP and President, KINSPARC to get the proposal cleared by the Govt. of West Bengal

30
 for implementation. Under this project, each village will be provided with a composite
demonstration model for a community centre having the facilities like ; Rainwater harvesting
structures ; Renewable energy devices (solar lamps for illumination) ; Safe, arsenic free
drinking water facility ; Sanitary toilets. The community centre will be used for vocational
training and demonstration on (a) Low cost housing for flood prone areas, (b) safe drinking
water, (c) sanitation, health and hygiene, (d) renewable energy ; and (e) water saving
technologies. While the funds mobilized by IWP resources would be utilized for effective
implementation of the above said project, the GWP-SAS supported funds will be utilized for
awareness general and dissemination purpose.

(iii) Planning Process for undertaking IWP Activities earmarked for 2010

In the first week of January, 2010, a Project Proposal Screening Committee was constituted
and discussions were held with some of the Board Members of IWP and RC members
through telephone as well as by e-mail for undertaking the planned activities of 2010. Format
for the project proposals and guidelines were developed keeping in view the IWP Work Plan
for 2010 and the same was circulated among all the IWP partners.

GWP Nepal

 Nepal Nepal Water Partnership/JVS organized a Stakeholders' Consultation Meeting on

"Climatic Changes and Impacts in Nepal" on 17th December 2009 in Katmandu. Dr.
Keshav Prashad Sharma, Deputy Director General, Department of Hydrology and
Meteorology (DHM) presented a paper in the meeting. Around 50 participants from
various Government
Agencies, I/NGOs,
concerned
professional, Nepal
Water
Partnership/JVS
Partners, Media
people, etc actively
participated in the
meeting.

 The Final Report

on "Climate
Change trend and its impacts on livelihoods of the people with focus on Water and
Agriculture in Nepal" was submitted to Nepal Water Partnership/JVS on 24th
December 2009. The study was carried out Dr. Keshav Prashad Sharma, Deputy
Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM).

 The Final Report on "Generating and Sharing Knowledge on Sustainable Water Resource
Management Principles and Practices Among all Stakeholders" was submitted to Nepal
Water Partnership/JVS by Er. Danda P. Jaishy, Senior Water Resource Engineer, Ministry
of Energy on 20th December 2009. The research study had identified stakeholders in the
water resources sector from both the government and non-government sectors in Nepal.
Inventory of various programs and practices carried out/under implementation by

31
 different water related development agencies and organizations on sustainable water
resources management was also include in the study.

 The Tenth Annual General Meeting of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS was organized on
17th December 2009 in Kathmandu under the chairmanship of Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, Chari
NWP/JVS. The Institutional, Individual partners and invited guests participated in the
meeting. The Annual Reports of Nepal Water Partnership/J VS was presented by Mr.
Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General, Nepal Water Partnership/JVS. A Keynote
lecture was also delivered by Prof. Dr. Binayak Bhadra, Advisor Nepal Water
Partnership/JVS and Senior Resource Economist on "Planning for Energy Security" in the

meeting.

The meeting unanimously approved the Audit and Annual Report of Nepal Water
Partnership/JVS presented by Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay. The resolution to appoint Mr.
Bhim Lal Shrrestha, registered auditor to carry out the Audit of Nepal Water
Partnership/JVS Account was also unanimously approved.

 The 103rd Executive Committee Meeting (ECM) of Nepal Water Partnership /JVS
was held on 27th December 2009, in Kathmandu under the Chairmanship of Mr.
Iswer Raj Onta,. The meeting discussed and finalized various Programmatic and
Administrative issues of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS.

 Mr. Som Nath Poudel - Vice Chair, Nepal Water Partnership/JVS participated in the
second international workshop on Himalayan Sub-Regional Cooperation for Water
Security in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 15-16 January 2010. The workshop was organized by
Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) and Strategic Foresight Group
(SFG). The workshop is a part of long – term process to build confidence and cooperation
between countries that make up the Himalayan river basins.

Water experts
from India,
Bangladesh,
China and Nepal,

32
 including former ministers of Water Resources of India, Bangladesh and Nepal
participated in the Workshop

GWP Pakistan

December 2009:
1) Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Bhatti, RC
Member Pakistan and Mr. Karamat
Ali, Programme Coordinator PWP
visited Karachi, Hyderabad,
Sanghar, Nawabshah and
Mirpurkhas for scoping session of
the Climate Change Impacts and
adaptation in the Nara Canal
Command Area of Nara Canal Area
Water Partnership on 17-20 Dec:
2009. Mrs. Hamida Masood Shah,
Director PWP and Chairperson,
Nara Canal AWP received and joined the delegation in Karachi and organized the field visit
and facilitated meetings with a number of partners of Nara Canal AWP. Based on the field
visit and discussions with a number of communities, PWP delegation recommended that
NCAWP should be assisted urgently in demonstrating the following for adaptation to
impacts of Climatic Change in Nara Canal Command.
 Simple ponds to store raw canal water
 Sand Filters for cleaning raw canal water for drinking
 Hand Pumps where good quality water is available
 Simple storage tanks for storing cleaned water
 Simple technology to desalinize brackish water

2) Pursuant to the field visit (Scoping Session) to Nara Canal AWP partners in Karachi, Sanghar,
Nawabshah & Mirpurkhas by PWP delegation comprising Dr. M. Akhtar Bhatti, RC Member
Pakistan and Mr. Karamat Ali, Programme Coordinator PWP, three (3) Dialogues on Climate
Change Adaptation were held in Sanghar, Nawabshah & Mirpurkhas on 23, 24 and 26
December 2009 involving all Climate Change related drought impacted communities of those
areas. Nara Canal AWP organized these dialogues with a substantial financial support from
its local partners spending Rs. 52,931/- and a PWP support of Rs. 50,000/-.

3) PWP Board of Directors meeting was held on 31 Dec: 2009 at 1100 hours in PWP Office,
Islamabad Pakistan wherein a number of programmatic and administrative decision were
taken. Board of Directors unanimously ratified appointment of Sardar Muhammad Tariq as
Regional Chair, Global Water Partnership – South Asia (GWP-SAS) from 1st January 2010. Mr.
Naseer Ahmad Gillani was selected as a new Chairman of Pakistan Water Partnership from
1st January 2010 in place of Sardar Muhammad Tariq, elevated as Regional Chair GWP-SAS.
Board of Directors also approved hosting of office of the Regional Chair GWP-SAS in PWP
Office from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2012. (Photo attached)

33
 4) Office of the Regional Chair GWP-SAS was launched in PWP building, Islamabad Pakistan
on 31st December 2009.

5) Chairman PWP held meetings with Chief, Planning Commission and Country Head, Islamic
Development Bank, Islamabad for PWP activities and collaboration for better water
management in Pakistan.

January 2010:
1) M/s. Anjum Asim Shahid Rahman, Chartered Accountants & Management Consultants
(Grant Thornton) carried out Group and Corporate audit on 5th to 25th January 2010 of PWP
Accounts for the year ended on 31st Dec: 2009. Their final report is expected by 7th February
2010.

2) Mr. Karamat Ali, Country Coordinator, PWP has been assgined the additional duties of the
Support Officer to the Regional Chair, GWP-SAS from January 01, 2010 till further orders.

3) Chairman PWP held meetings with Planning Commission, Federal Flood Commission,
Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority and other partners in his office on 7th, 20th
and 28th January 2010 in connection with enhancing activities of Pakistan Water Partnership.

4) The Planning Commission of Pakistan Government requested PWP to help preparation of the
Perspective Five Year Development Plan on Water Resources 2010-15 of the Government of
Pakistan. Under the guidance of Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Regional Chair, GWP-SAS and
support of Mr. Karamat Ali, Country Coordinator, PWP, the Pakistan Water Partnership
(PWP) was carried out by the Chairman, PWP prepared and submitted the Perspective Five
Year Development Plan on Water Resources 2010-15 to the Government of Pakistan on 15th
January, 2010. The Perspective Plan critically examined the previous long-term and short-
term water development plans and consolidated what had been achieved and what were the
issues which still needed to be addressed. The recommended Perspective Five Year
Development Plan 2010-2015 was therefore, based on two prong approach i.e. addressing the
software (knowledge-based intervention) and hardware (physical infrastructure
development). The Plan placed much importance and set out a time-line within which
country needed to enhance water governance capabilities, strengthen institutional framework
and have more holistic approach in managing water on integrated basis and to make
investment in water sector economic efficient and sustainable. The Plan emphasized on
securing more reliable data for long-term development programmes and strongly
recommended to adopt participatory approach in decision-making.

GWP Sri Lanka

A) SLWP, Menik Ganga AWP and National Water Supply and Drainage Board organized a
Workshop on 3rd December in Buttala ( Uva Province) on Impact of Construction of
Weheragala Reservoir of 60 MCM on water supply augmentation to Menik Ganga and to
Yala Wild life Reserve. 40 participants including heads of local Agencies participated. Water
Resource Committee was set up to monitor and recommend on releases from reservoir for
downstream needs.

34
 DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 MONTHLY REPORT
SOUTHEAST ASIA

B) A Sisu Jala Hamuwa (Schools IWRM Prog) was organized on 4th December for 60
schoolchildren on IWRM and Health Sanitation issues by the Menik Ganga AWP, NWSDB
and University of Ruhuna at the Janadhipathi Maha Vidyalaya Kataragama.
C) Special Meeting on Pollution Issues was organized by the Divisional Secretary Kataragama
and Menik Ganga AWP on 4th December afternoon with committee members comprising
heads of local institutions including police to secure support for prevention of dumping of
garbage into the river affecting water supply scheme for Kataragama. Committee will
support AWP activities undertaken annually during Kataragama Festival in July when large
influx of pilgrims affects water quality in the river due to pollution from dumping garbage
and fecal contamination.
D) SLWP and Department of Meteorology with the Disaster Management Centre ,Coast
Conservation Department and Natural Resources Centre of the Department of Agriculture
arranged a National Dialogue and Awareness Programme on Climate Change Adaptation for
University Staff of Universities in Western Province on 11th December. University staff to be
used as Messengers and Extension agents in such programmes to be expanded in 2010.
University of Colombo agreed to support a joint Public Awareness Campaign in Climate
Change Adaptation in 2010. 55 Partipants from Universities attended this programme.
E) A Steering Committee Meeting of SLWP was held on 15th December to review 2009 progress
and approve the 2010 work Programme and Budget cleared by the SLWP Programme
Committee.
F) The Annual SLWP Partners Forum ( CWP Meeting) was held on 21st December at Hotel
Janaki with 55 Partners and Collaborators participating. Theme was Climate Change
Adaptation and presentations were made by the Department of Meteorology and Disaster
Management Center. Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa Prof Malik Ranasinghe
an active partner of SLWP was Keynote Speaker. The 2010 Budget and Work Plan was
presented to the Forum as well as Audited Accounts and Audit Report 2008 and expenditure
account up to November 2009.

1) Meeting on Colombo Wetlands. Initial meeting of main stakeholders of the Colombo(

Kolonnawa) Wetlands Programme was convened on 9th January by NetWater with SLWP and
University of Moratuwa participating. The first Schools Programme on this activity is
scheduled for mid March.
2) The first Programme Committee Meeting of SLWP was held on 13th January to approve the
2010 1st Quarter Programme.

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Indonesia Water Partnership

On 9 December 2009 Indonesia Water Partnership organized Multi stakeholders dialogue on Role
Sharing and Coordination in WRM , as a peak event after two rounds of smaller scale meetings
addressing the subject. The dialogue was held in Sapta Taruna Hall of Ministry of Public Works
and attended by 59 participant from all water resources sectors.
Conclusion of the dialogue :

35
 When positive progress have been achieved, there is a clear need to continuously develop
commong perception and interpretation on the implementation of Water Resources Law
and the related legislations at river basin level;

 It is also very important to accelerate the development of strategic plans for river basin
water resources development and management, and to accelerate the formation of River
Basin Councils in all river basins in the country not later than 2010 ;

 Considering the maginitude of challenges to implement IWRM related to the size of

the country and the rising demands it is important to study the necessity of restructuring
water management organization nationally. It is indicated that IWRM can be
implemented more effectively if some functions presently spread in different Ministries
can be integrated under one new Ministry of Water Resources. It is expected that a
more definitive recommendation can be prepared for the preparation of a new Cabinet
Government in 2014.

36
Malaysia Water Partnership
I. Malaysia Country Water Partnership conducted the second Partners’ meeting on 21stJanuary 2010 at
the Bilik Gerakan in the headquarters of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia.

Election of the MyCWP Steering Committee members 2010 in progress

A total of 25 institutional partners attended the meeting, where there was active interaction and
discussion among the partners. The Annual Report and Accounts were tabled and accepted. The
partners discussed the Work plan for 2010 and the Strategic Plan 2011-2013. Further discussion on the
Strategic Plan 2011-2013 will be taken up by the Steering Committee.

II. DID Malaysia, a partner of MyCWP, conducted a national “Workshop on Water Resources” on 19th
January 2010 at the PWTC, Kuala Lumpur. The workshop was attended by 276 participants;
comprising stakeholders from the public and private sector.

The Objectives of workshop were :

37
 1. To gather information from key players in the water industry on their various concerns and
developments in water resources
2. To identify key areas, issues and concerns
3. To determine issues and determine options and recommendations

for water resources governance, demand/supply management, development of projects and the
resulting environmental impacts.

DID Malaysia is currently compiling the outputs of the workshop as part of the “Review of the Water
Resources Study 2000-2050”. This workshop will aid DID Malaysia in determining the best options
for governance taking into account the current state of water resources, to aid the government of
Malaysia as a major stakeholder to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

Philippine Water Partnership

December 2009
 Philippine Water Partnership participated in the bidding process for the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) / National Water Resources Board (NWRB) project entitled:
“Localized Customer Service Code” under MDGF: 1919 Enhancing Access to and Provision of
Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor.

 Philippine Water Partnership Year-End Meeting attended by Board of Trustees and sectoral
representatives was conducted on December 18, 2009. The highlight of the meeting was the
presentation of the major activities and accomplishments during the year. The 2010 proposed
work plan including the conduct of the 4 th Southeast Asia Water Forum (SEAWF) was also
discussed.

 Initial discussion on the establishment of Water Education Center (WEC) was held.

January 2010
 Completion/submission of 2009 financial report for core funds received by PWP and 2009
Implementation Report.

 Series of coordination meetings were held in preparation to the 4th SEAWF.

Vietnam Water Partnership

On 11th December 2009, VNWP held Dialogue on partnership for IWRM and adaptation to climate
change. There were 20 participants attending the dialogue including the Standing Board and
founding members of VNWP and scientists.

38
 Discussion during dialogue
Outcomes of the dialogue:
- The opinions during the dialogue progress reflected the necessity of strengthening VNWP to
meet requirements of water resources management in the context of climate change.

- An Action Plan of VNWP 2010-2013 to strengthen VNWP in the context of climate change
were approved.

Discussion during dialogue

Activity in the early January 2010

VNWP together with GWP-SEA Secretariat are preparing for GWP-SEA SC 19th meeting in Ho Chi
Minh city, Vietnam

WEST AFRICA

1- GWP West Africa Secretariat had a week long retreat from 21 to 26 January 2010 in
Ouahigouya (180km from Ouagadougou) to take stock of a year gone in the implementation

39
 of the Programme for the Improvement of Water Governance in West Africa (PIWAG), a
programme funded by the European Union and GWPO. The activities were examined and
outcomes drawn from the activities that were achieved. The remaining activities were
reframed to take into account the evolving time span since the programme was defined since
2004. An interesting exercise was done during this retreat to improve internal
communication and staff reliance on the GWP structure. The results of the exercise will serve
to improve the management of the staff and the collaboration between GWP WA secretariat
and the Host Institution, CREPA.
Each staff made his/her own personal evaluation and the role and place of the various organs
reminded to both the GWP Staff but also CREPA Human resources chief and the head of
finance department.
This was a good opportunity for the Executive Secretary Mr Dam MOGBANTE to express his
happiness to the Secretariat members for the work done and remind them on the challenges
to overcome for a smooth ending of the programme. PIWAG has known some difficulties
since it started in October 2007 because of the departure of the first two Programme officers
in less than two years. Things are moving and the hope of the entire Secretariat, the Chair and
the Steering Committee as well as the RTEC is to bring this programme to a happy ending.
Among other results of the PIWAG, we can cite inter alia:
- The follow up of the institutional reforms in many West African countries: Mali, Benin,
Nigeria, Togo;
- The support to the fund raising process for the implementation of the IWRM plan in Mali
through the organisation of the Donors’ Roundtable.
- The involvement of CWP in the planning and/or in the implementation of IWRM in
countries like Senegal, Mali, Benin, Cape Verde, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire
- The publication and dissemination of results of studies on water governance, IWRM
planning and implementation in West Africa
- Many training sessions on IWRM, Gender, Ground water, the GWP Toolbox, etc.
- The establishment of strategic alliances with the media organizations of the region
through the creation and animation of a network of journalists, with RBOs (OMVS, NBA,
etc.), regional integration institutions like ECOWAS/WRCU, WAEMU, CILSS, CREPA,
AfWA and international organizations like IUCN and governments of the region.

PIWAG is due to end in September 2010 and many activities are planned before that end and
should be carried out by the Executive Secretariat with various CWP in interested countries.

2- GWP West Africa took part in Mbodiène (Senegal) in a workshop organized by the African
Water Information System (AWIS) project that is starting its extension phase. AWIS is a
Panafrican information sharing network among water sector organizations through mainly
an internet portal. A pilot phase was successfully conducted and the pre extension phase will
be associate a half dozen more institutions including GWP West Africa. The idea is based the
assumption that all organizations taking part in the project have some information and they
are ready to make available to others through the portal.
The portal can be accessed at:
In French: http://www.sadieau.org/
In English at: http://www.african-wis.org/.

3- A new Country water Partnership (CWP) was established in Guinea Bissau on December 2nd
2009. With Guinea Bissau, twelve West African countries out of the sixteen have a CWP. The
Constitutional Assembly was held in Bissau and presided by His Excellency António Óscar
Barbosa the Minister of Energy and Natural resources, with the presence of Mr Octavio

40
 Alves, the representative of the President of Guinea Bissau, Mr N’Dri Koffi, the Chairman of
Côte d’Ivoire CWP and member of GWP WA Steering Committee, and Mr Anselme
Vodounhessi the Programme officer of GWP WA,.

Guinea Bissau CWP is already involved in the IWRM planning process that is ongoing in the
country through a project jointly implemented by UNEP, DHI, WRCU and GWPWA since
end 2008. Mr. Avelina Semedo Djaló, the elected Chairman of Guinea Bissau CWP and the
acting Executive Secretary Mr Dos Santos Bernadino, will have to give on behalf of GWP,
their strong hands for the achievement of this planning process.

4- A new chair for Nigeria Country Water Partnership was designated during the last Assembly
of Partners of the CWP held early December in Abuja. Mr Hassan Bdliya is Civil Engineer
and has been working with GWP since some years. He well known in the country and has led
the CWP to develop an annual work plan that will be submitted to the National Commission
on IWRM for funding of some activities. A National IWRM Commission was established in
Nigeria to coordinate the IWRM activities in the country. The Executive Director of the
Commission Eng I.K. Musa is determined to collaborate with the Nigeria CWP to move
forwards in the IWRM agenda of the country. At their IWRM national technical committee
meeting, a lot of commitments were taken to face IWRM challenges in Nigeria namely the
IWRM and water efficiency plans that would be ready by the 1st quarter of 2010. GWP/WA
saluted the determination of the Commission and the importance given to GWP, and is
grateful for the valuable supports given during the days TEC and extended meetings were
organized in Abuja.

5- A GWPO mission composed of Aurelie VITRY, Network officer and Catharina Sahlin-
Tegnander, head of Finance visited GWP WA and the host institution CREPA from 12 to 18
January 2010. With the finance department of CREPA and the Executive Secretariat, they
worked to clarify and fix all outstanding issues in the financial reports of the various
programmes that GWP WA is implementing.

6- A workshop was held in PRAIA, Cape Verde on 7-8December, 2009. This workshop of the
four PAWD countries in West Africa (Mali and Senegal for PAWD 1 and Benin and Cape
Verde for PAWD 2) mainly focused on “experiences sharing and perspectives for IWRM
Plans implementation”. The meeting has allowed countries to:

- share their experiences in terms of development and implementation of IWRM Plans

- Identify links between IWRM and sectoral development programs

- Define the perspectives of IWRM Plans implementation and the role of Country Water
Partnership in this process in Cape - Verde and Benin.

41