effectiveness of capacity development of water
co-operation should be needs-based and entail
capacity needs assessment among others.
The key points mentioned were as follows:
Water Co-operation for Human Development.
Water is a key factor that contributes to economic
growth, social inclusion, peace, stability and
the reduction of hunger and poverty. Water
cooperation must include all interest groups and
stakeholders. Investment in women’s capacity
development for achieving water security needs
to focus on empowering women, especially those
from disadvantaged communities. It is also
important to build on existing capacity, and not
to ignore the skills and the capacity that already
exists. Vocational training is considered an
important element.
Water Co-operation for Economic Benefits.
The key to water co-operation for economic
benefits is that the benefits are clear. The drivers
for water co-operation often lie outside of the
water box. Taking a broader perspective, economic
benefits may also be achieved where water is just
one element of the co-operation, e.g. the virtual
water traded in agricultural goods may free some
water resources for other economic activities.
Addressing issues such as water recycling and
reuse can lead to greater resource efficiency and
economic benefits, provided effective policies and
regulations are in place ensuring that risks are at
a minimum. Many water problems entail elements
of inefficiency, be it with regards to drinking water
supply, irrigation, or water resources management
at large. Co-operation and co-ordination between
different sectors can help improve efficiency and
lead to greater economic benefits.
Water Co - operation for Ecosystems.
Ecosystems provide important services to
society, and to ensure their continued provision
requires Governments to protect ecosystems
and to take into account the water requirements
of these ecosystems. It has to be recognized
by Governments that intact ecosystems are
an essential element of water, energy and food
security. Also with respect to adapting to the
effects of climate change, intact ecosystems play
an important role.
Water Co-operation across Boundaries.
Regional co-operation plays an important role
in building capacity beyond that of individual
countries. The pooling of resources may help
to achieve greater impact with given funds,
particularly where funds are not sufficient to build
effective institutions at the national level. Creating
regional institutions and mechanisms with the
right capacity would be a step forward in many
basins.
In addition to the points above, the following
key points were highlighted:
●●
Putting water co-operation into practice is a
challenging task which can be supported by
capacity development;
●●
Capacity development must go beyond
human capacity development and set
greater focus on institutional capacity
development; and
●●
International organisations can play an
important role in facilitating institutional
capacity development and supporting
water cooperation.
THE WAY FORWARD
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
has set a standalone Sustainable Development
Goal No. 6 by 2030 to ensure availability and
sustainable management of water and sanitation
for all. The goal covers, among others, the
increase of water use efficiency and integrated
water resources management at all levels,
including through trans-boundary co-operation as
appropriate. It also calls to expand international
co-operation and capacity building support to
developing countries in water and sanitationrelated activities and programmes.
For this to take place in an effective manner
among countries sharing trans-boundary water,
the co-operation structure and understanding
among riparian countries is vital so that water as
a resource can be shared and used optimally.
REFERENCE
UN Water Organization
Extract of Summary Report of UNW-DPC at the
High Level International Conference on Water Cooperation 2013 with the permission of United
Nations.
International journal of China Studies Vol 6
Number 1 of ICS, University Malaya
63