global public policy network on water management Water as a Cross-cutting Issue for CSD17 gppn

GPPN Background joint initiative of Stakeholder Forum and Stockholm International Water Institute to consult and work with global stakeholders to identify on priorities for the global water and sanitation agenda, and help communicate those priorities to decision-makers key focus in 2009 on building broad stakeholder participation on water as a cross-cutting issue for CSD17

Multi-stakeholder Initiative Consulted broad range of stakeholders on water and climate change across ‘Major Groups’, including: Farmers Trade Unions Women Science and Technology Local Authorities NGOs Business Youth Indigenous Peoples Also includes UN agencies.

Key Outputs for CSD17 Consultation Outcomes and Policy Recommendations Proposed Text Amendments for CSD17 Side Events, stakeholder co-ordination and lobbying

Agriculture Integrated Water Resources Management in the context of sustainable agriculture – ensure management of water among competing users Ecosystem Approach for agriculture – develop systems of water rights that allow for prior allocation of water to meet the requirements of environmental flows, building ecosystem resilience for sustainable agriculture and livelihoods. Recognize ecosystems as water consumers.

Enhance demand management – assess suitability of irrigation service charges, and reduce subsidies for agriculture that do not lead to sustainable water use Apply water footprint analyses – as a tool for awareness raising, and to better consider crop choices and sustainability limits

Rural Development Develop more advanced water management arrangements in rural areas that preserve and conserve water supply and take into account climate impacts for long-term sustainability Provide rural communities with incentives and rewards for preserving and conserving ecosystems, through Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes where appropriate

Build capacity and provide training, tools and necessary technologies in rural areas to practice integrated water resources management and sustainable agriculture Adopt an ecosystem approach in rural development plans, promoting water rights systems that that seek to to preserve ecosystems and their services for long-term rural needs. Reform water sector policy and utilisation schemes to account for the true value of water, with emphasis on demand management through rational pricing mechanisms, thereby reducing wastage and subsidising the cost of water for the poor.

Land Integrated land and water management – consider land-use policies in the context of water resources management. Build capacity for this approach at a local and river-basin level. Governance – enhance communication between land planners, water management professionals and climate change experts Ecosystem Services – integrate assessment of value of ecosystem services into land use planning, including value of freshwater ecosystems for avoiding land degradation.

Drought Enhance drought resilience methods – rainwater harvesting, water re-use, enhanced irrigation efficiency. Integrated Water Resources Management – ensure robust IWRM plans and flexible adaptive water management capacity to respond to changes in water availability. Develop systems for ‘prior allocation’ for environmental flows alongside basic social needs in times of water scarcity, ‘hands off’ quotas.

Transboundary Water Management – in context of drought management. Build capacity for negotiating transboundary arrangements, ratify UN Watercourses Convention – rainwater harvesting, water re-use, enhanced irrigation efficiency. Data sharing – enhance access to space technologies and earth observation systems, increasing finance earmarked for drought management information systems.

Desertification Land reform – promote security of tenure that enhances incentives for sustainable land and water resources management Loans and incentives – provide financial incentives for ecosystem-based approaches that preserve water quantity and quality Promote economic diversification reducing pressures exerted on land by dry-land poor that lead to desertification

Way Forward ‘One-pager’ of priority issues for governments Text for Major Groups intervention at Ministerial Roundtable on Integrated Water and Land Resources Management for Rural Development and Agriculture. Daily meetings – UN Cafeteria

Thank you! Hannah Stoddart GPPN Secretariat