In China, 100 million people need to share the water of the Yellow river basin, and find the best ways of doing so. In the Pangani river basin in Tanzania, conflicts are emerging between water users, such as commercial farms, small farmers and livestock keepers. The countries that share the waters of the Mekong basin are actively negotiating flow regimes, whilst recognizing there are different opinions about the best way to use and further develop the water resources shared by six countries.

To tackle these issues, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) convened a workshop at the International Water Association’s (IWA) Beijing World Water Congress (10-14 September 2006). Speakers included experts from WWF China, World Bank Institute, Mekong River Commission, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, and the University of Melbourne. The workshop explored the complex and dynamic processes that are ongoing in key river basins around the world including those in East Asia.

“We urgently need to ensure equitable water allocation in the Mekong river basin. Increased food security can be achieved through more efficient land and water use, including more irrigation. Appropriate development of the basin’s hydropower potential is essential to meet the increasing need for energy,” said Olivier Cogels, CEO of the Mekong River Commission. The need to apply Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) in China was pointed out. “IRBM is a new concept in China. But stakeholders are starting to move from traditional river management to IRBM. It is essential that the different stakeholders understand clearly their role and responsibilities in managing IRBM processes. Initiatives such as the relatively new Yangtze Forum show great promise,” said Li Lifeng, Head of WWF Freshwater Programme in China.

Major challenges were presented in all areas, as rapid population and economic growth, urbanisation and climate change are significantly impacting both water quantity and quality. “Poverty, environmental degradation, transboundary conflicts can only be tackled with a shared vision. In order to implement effective IRBM, capacity building and institutional strengthening are vital but first, there must be respect established between the people involved,” said Jan Janssens from the World Bank Institute.

“The river basin scale is critical if we are to manage the whole land and water system. We need to ensure all people with a right, risk, or responsibility for water are represented in negotiations” concluded Ger Bergkamp, Head of the IUCN Global Water Programme. (by David Alix, Water Programme, IUCN)

For the complete article on the workshop, please see http://www.iucn.org/themes/wani/news/Managing%20large%20river%20basins_130906.html

For more information on the IUCN water programme, please see www.iucn.org/water
The website of the Beijing World Water Congress, please see here http://www.iwa2006beijing.com/templates/dynamic/Conferences/Conference.aspx?ObjectId=224213

Published in: ECC-Newsletter, October 2006