Promote enforcement of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the NonNavigational Uses of International Water
Courses by encouraging the necessary
ratifications.
The success of all these efforts depends on
national action and partner activities such as:
●●
UN-Water, FAO and UN-Energy (as well as
other relevant organisations such as the
UN European Economic Commission, UNEP,
World Bank & Sustainable Energy for All)
engage in a Nexus discussion in view of its
reflection in the post-2015 process as well
as the SDGs;
●●
The UN-Water Thematic Priority Area on
climate change engages in work on the
Nexus;
●●
German Development Cooperation
continues, and others take up promotion of
regional and national Nexus activities; and
●●
Regional organisations, particularly in
Africa, South Asia and Oceanic countries
engage independently with further Nexus
dialogues focusing on regionally specific
issues and implementation barriers.
●●
Focus Action on Water and Disasters
The UNSGAB stresses the importance of further
action on the issue of disaster risk reduction,
in line with the outcomes of the UN Special
Thematic Session on Water and Disasters
and the High-level Expert Panel on Water and
Disaster (HLEP/UNSGAB) both held in March
2013. During the next phase, UNSGAB members
and secretariat will undertake the following
actions in close collaboration and co-ordination
with the newly formed High-level Experts and
Leaders’ Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP/
UNSGAB).
Board Members will actively respond to
occasions where they can advocate national,
regional and local policies and co-operation
measures which can reduce disaster risks. The
UNSGAB supports the principles and approach for
priority action as developed and summarised in
six urgent imperatives formulated in “Water and
disaster: High-Level Expert Panel on Water and
Disaster/UNSGAB, May 2009”:●●
Galvanize and mobilize before disaster
strikes;
INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN
MANAGEMENT
The Department of Irrigation and
Drainage Malaysia which is tasked
with managing the river system, one
of the main sources of water supply,
has practiced Integrated River Basin
Management (IRBM) in integrating and
co-ordinating policies, programmes and
practices and addressing water and
river-related issues. In essence, it is
about bringing nature back to rivers and
implementing all the key elements to
achieve this. However, the Department
requires improved profes sional
capabilities and increased financial,
legislative, managerial and political
capacity.
With rapid urbanisation and
industrialisation, problems and
issues relating to rivers and the river
environment are expected to intensify.
River basins need to be managed in
an integrated and holistic manner.
Corresponding institutional and legal
changes are needed, coupled with an
effective administrative framework.
Above all, political will and commitment
are vital to ensure success.
●●
●●
●●
●●
●●
Actions and systems to inform, protect,
warn and evacuate are of paramount
importance.;
Risk reduction measures to be incorporated
in national development planning;
Create and support occasions to share
lessons of disaster response;
Arrangements for providing safe drinking
water and sanitation are key elements in
an effective disaster response; and
Data creation and collection on response
measures are imperative.
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