1 The 13 th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM) By: Phousavanh Fongkhamdeng Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR 25 th -26 th June 2013, Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darlamussa Increasing Long Term Awareness Knowledge and Community Participation in IWRM

Part 1: IWRM in Lao PDR; Part 2: Long Term Awareness & Participation on IWRM in ASEAN; Part 3: Proposals & Next Step; Outlines 2

Part 1: IWRM in Lao PDR

Overview- Water Resources in Lao PDR  Lao PDR is located in South- East Asia with Area of 236,800 km2;  90% of the country are in Mekong Basin;  Water resources per capita is around 55,000 m 3 per year;  35% of annual flow (or equal 270,000 m 3 ) in Mekong is from Lao tributaries;  The monthly rivers flow by the pattern of rainfall is around 80% during the rainy season and 20% in the dry season.

Overview - The Basin Linkages

Geography Mekong Basin Laos Nam Ngum Nam Ngum sub-Basins IWRM instruments Mekong IWRM Strategy 2010 Mekong IWRM-based BDP National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan Nam Ngum IWRM Plan Nam Ngum sub-basin plans (as e.g. Nam Song and Nam Kho) WatershedsIntegrated Watershed Management Plans IWRM IN LAO PDR

National Water Resource Strategy Institutional Strengthening & Coordination; 2.Legislation, Plans and Implementation; 3.RB and Sub-RBs WR Planning; 4.Groundwater Management; 5.Data Collection and Analysis; 6.Water Allocation; 7.Protection of WQ and Ecosystems; 8.Wetland Management; 9.Flood and Drought Management; 10.WR Risk Mgt. & CC Adaptation; 11.IWRM Financing; 12.Awareness, Participation & Capt. Building. 3

IWRM Progress & Experience in Lao PDR (up to now) Institutional Aspects: IWRM responsibility (MONRE + 17 PONRE DONRE countrywide) Water & Water Resources Law (revising) Water Strategy 2020 (in place) Technical Aspects: Applied IWRM in RB/sub-basin planning & Mgt. – first 5 basins mentioned in NSEDP & more; National IWRM Support Programme - IWRM Capacity & Awareness Plans, RBM+ Curriculums Devpt., IRBM Guidelines, etc (implementing). Pilot project on WQ monitoring in RB/sub-basin (3). National IWRM Demonstration Site (in Vangvieng District-under study). Lao IWRM Financing Study – water use fee, WR fund options, etc. (ongoing) Public-Private-Community IWRM Awareness and Participation.

“Consultation & Public Awareness”

“e.g. River Clean Up Day – Nam Xong”

“e.g. Training & Field Work”

“e.g. Gender Mainstreaming”

Part 2: Long Term Awareness & Participation on IWRM in ASEAN

6 AMS Report Submitted: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. (4 AMS are still contacting); Programme Objectives: 1.To increase awareness and voluntary community activity for IWRM through and education and behavioral change program targeted particularly at women and students. 2. To monitor the effectiveness of this program to maximize its effectiveness and general applicability. The Regional Project Proposal is being compiled. Overall Progress

Malaysia 1.IWRM & IRBM activities conducting (top-down VS bottom up); 2.Local capacity development and management on IWRM; 3.One State One River Programs; 4.Best Management Practice Project (WQ, WD, Water Disaster Management); 5.Public Awareness & Stakeholder Participation on IWRM (e.g. World Water Day…). 3

Myanmar 1.National Sustainable Development Strategy (IWRM concerned activities); 2.Promote & Practice on IWRM (PPP, NGOs, Community); 3.Community Awareness: IWRM, Forestry, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Sustainable Energy, etc; 4.Local Environmental Education; 5.Inlay Lake Conservation Programme. 3

The Philippines 1.Water Resources Management is responsibility of multi national & local agencies (596 water bodies); 2.IWRM Plan Framework (2006): 4main sustainable outcomes and Operationalisation & Localisation of the Plan (Enabling Environment, RBM, Water Allocation & Efficiencies); 3.Medium-Term Philippines Development Plan; 4.Stakeholder Participation in RBM & Coordination & Event Organisation (WWD, Series of Meetings & Trainings, etc.); 3

Singapore 1.Integration of water supply, sewerage and drainage functions; 2.PUB: Water For All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy; 3.Water Management Programme: Engaging the Young, Water Detective & Wally Shows, NEWater Education; 4.Engaging 3P Partners: “Our Waters, WWD, Friends of Water, SIWW, Water Awards & Networks”;

Singapore (Cont.) 3

Thailand DWR has implemented the following activities both at central and regional levels: 1.Campaigning for IWRM knowledge and raising awareness of water value and importance in major 25 RBs; 2.Create the platform for stakeholder particiation in planning & management; 3.Promotion of Community Participation in Water Resources Management: Water User Group, Water Lover Network, River & Canals Conservation and Development Week & Day…;

Regional Summary

Challenges & Action Lines Collect the Left AMS Reports (4 Countries- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia and Viet Nam); Mainstream the AMS Report Project Proposal Finalisation: including AMS Report Update and Activities Plan Identification, etc. Increase AMS Coordination and Experience Sharing on the Topic; Prepare the Sustainable Mechanism for Regional & Country Programme Implementation on IWRM Capacity & Community Awareness.

Part 3: Proposals & Next Step

Immediate Proposals Continue to collect the AMS plans (rest); Get advise from Secretariat & respective expert on the Proposal and Fund Raising Form…; Event organisation in Lao PDR – workshop, training, seminars, etc. – for more local responsive on IWRM…

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