RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Dao Trong Tu, Ph.D and Do Hong Phan

Global Water Partnership-Southeast Asia (GWP-SEA)

Objectives of Paper

Not a deep study but an overview of existing situation and as well as lessons learned regarding the tendency in IWRM approach of river basin management, focusing on river basin organization (RBO) aspects in GWP SEA countries.

Disclaimer

This paper expresses the view of the authors and does not necessary reflect the vision of the GWP SEA, VNWP and the Others.

 

SOUTH EAST ASIA (SEA)

Brunei Myanmar

Cambodia Philippines

East Timor Thailand

Indonesia Vietnam

Lao PDR Singapore

Malaysia <Cambodia>: GWP SEA countries

RIVERS & RBOs IN SEA

• Main river basins: 169

• RBOs: 85

• International basins: 1 (MRC)

Mekong River Commission (Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. China and Myanmar as Dialogue Partners)

• Local basins: 84

(Cambodia: 4 Lao PDR: not yet Indonesia: 41 Myanmar: not yet Philippines: 1 Thailand: 25 Singapore: no Malaysia: 3 Vietnam:10)

OBSERVATIONS

• 85 RBOs (include MRC) established in 7 of 9 GWP SEA countries

• RBOs accepted and adapting by GWP SEA countries as good/appropriate management tool for IWRM

• Good RBO models in practicing (Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLD) - Philippines, Perum Jasa Tirta-Indonesia, Bang Pakong-Thailand, MRC – shared river of Thailand, Lao PDR Thailand and Vietnam).

• Diversification of models, no unique model applied regionally

• In process of learning by doing and improvement with challenges (enforcement, stakeholders participation, mandating institutions for adapting with existing WRM systems..)

• Three main factors dominated an effective RBO:– Legal framework (strongly recognized and

supported by state administrative system)– Participations (multiple stakeholders)– Financial status (autonomous status)

LESSONS LEARNED The SEA directions of water resources management is to

move towards some form of river basin organization responsible for different functions and mandates including investigating, planning, developing and management of water resources within a hydrological unit

The development of river basin management requires a number of important elements to be developed to a point where the river basin can be managed successfully, including: relevant laws, public and non-government institutions, technical capabilities of the people, understanding and motivation of people, and technical capacity and systems.

RBO arrangements would be very diversified and should be adjusted in order to adapt with the changes in socio-economic development of each country.

LESSONS LEARNED (Cont.) RBO should be suited with water resources management system in

the country so that it can avoid overlapping in functions and can get supports from the system;

RBOs should be assigned with clear mandates and functions for its operation and management;

RBOs structures can be adjusted to adapt with the changes of new socio-economic development of the countries;

Establishment of RBOs would contribute to reform and improvement of administrative system of water sector in country.

no single RBO model would be suitable for all basins, but depends very much on the specific conditions of hydrological, social economic development and cultural aspects in each basin,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTETION