Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report
Project Number: 40193 December 2007
Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Updating the National Water Policy and Strategy (Cofinanced by the Government of Australia)
Prepared by Alfred Birch GHD Pty Ltd.
Melbourne, Australia
For Water Resources and Environment Administration
This consultant’s report does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB or the Government concerned, and ADB and the Government cannot be held liable for its contents.
FINAL REPORT
UPDATING THE NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES POLICY AND STRATEGY (ADB TA 7013-LAO)
Component 1: Diagnostic Assessment of Water Data and Analysis Systems Component 2: National Water Resources Policy and Strategy Development
October 2010
Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010
GHD Pty Ltd ABN 3900 8488373 Head Office Level 8, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne. VIC 3000. Australia. Telephone: 61-3-8687 8199; Facsimile: 61-3-8687 8111; Email: [email protected] Project Office c/- Department of Water Resources Water Resource and Environment Administration PO Box 7864, Office of the Prime Minister Nahaldieo Road, Vientiane Lao PDR Tel: +856 20 6335718 Email: [email protected]
Document Status Reviewer Approved for Issue Rev No. Author Name Signature Name Signature Date
0 Alf Birch
i Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TA 7013-LAO Component 1 (Diagnostic Assessment of Water Data and Analysis Systems) and Component 2 (National Water Resources Policy and Strategy Development) have been carried out in cooperation between the Department of Water Resources and a consultant team under the leadership of GHD Pty Ltd between November 2008 and an expected completion in October 2010. The objective of Component 1 was to review water data, information and analytical tools and to prepare a strategy regarding these, while the objective of Component 2 was to develop and receive Government adoption of a National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan. In addition, the Project was to ensure that a WREA website is established and training provided. In response to these objectives the Project mobilized in the 4th quarter of 2008. Component 1 work carried out assessments of water resource data and modeling in the early part of 2009 and by the 3rd quarter of the year reports and strategies were prepared and consultations held. These were used as inputs to the National Water Resource Policy and Strategy and to the preparation of the National IWRM Support Program in the last quarter of 2009. Component 2 drafted a Water Policy Framework in the first half of 2009, held consultations on this Framework and received WREA approval by mid-year. In the 3rd quarter “key results area” papers were prepared on priority policy topics. Preparation of a first draft of the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy took place in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2009. In the 1st quarter of 2010 the Policy and Strategy were significantly redrafted in response to WREA requests. Consultations with a wide range of central and local stakeholders were held, mostly in the 2nd quarter of 2010. Final review and approval took place in the 3rd and 4th quarters, in particular through a meeting of the Lao National Mekong Committee in July. At the time of this report’s preparation it is expected that the National Cabinet will review and possibly approve the Policy and Strategy in late October 2010. In 3rd quarter of 2010 detailed implementation and monitoring plans were prepared and discussed with WREA. Assistance was given to WREA to consolidate and strengthen its website in the first part of 2009. The combined website became operational in the 4th quarter of 2009. A review and recommendations for strengthening the website was conducted in the 2nd quarter of 2010 and final training to put these recommendations into effect took place in the 3rd quarter of that year. The Project work was carefully coordinated with parallel activities in the water resources sector. The Nam Ngum River Basin Development Sector Project and the present Project’s Component 3 (preparation of a Lao IWRM Support Program) were completed near the beginning of Components 1 and 2 and provided important inputs on both the data and modeling and policy and strategy work. Ongoing work by WREA and development partners to develop the IWRM Support Program took place throughout the Project period and is still continuing. The National Water Resource Policy and Strategy, with Government approval, will provide a strong basis for the program approach being taken by WREA. The Project has also assisted WREA to develop implementation and monitoring tools for the Support Program and for its five-year strategic plan regarding water resources and disaster management. Coordination was also achieved with a TA 7013-Lao Extension component which was mobilized in May 2010 to assist WREA in establishing governance arrangements for the IWRM Support Program and also in supporting the newly announced Nam Ngum River Basin Committee and related support.
31/23431 ii Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010
Project manpower inputs were used in accordance with the original contract between ADB and GHD Pty Ltd and subsequent contract amendments (with Contract Amendment 3 being outstanding at present). Some adjustments were made in the international and local team members during the Project in response to availability and performance issues. Manpower inputs have been essentially fully used at the time of Project completion. The overall objectives of the Project have proven to be very relevant and appropriate. The Project was well timed to assist WREA, as a relatively new organization in Government, to systematically develop its strategic direction and plans. There has been considerable interest and growing awareness at all levels of Government regarding the Project process and the resulting outputs. The Project methodology proved to be successful. A significant level of involvement by WREA staff and other government and non-government stakeholders was maintained through working groups, advisory committees and various workshops. The consultation process on the draft Policy and Strategy was carried out with strong WREA leadership. The Project appears to have also been reasonably successful in building capacity within WREA, both in terms of the policy development process and the contents of the Policy and Strategy. Capacity has also been developed with respect to the WREA website. The major issue at the time of Project completion is the sustainability of the IWRM policy and strategy initiative by WREA. This will require such things as ongoing high level awareness and support for the NWRPS, adequate funding and staff within WREA and its local offices and RBCs, stronger cooperation with other key agencies, and ongoing coordination and support by development partners.
31/23431 iii Updating the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010
ບດສະຫລົ ບສຸ ງລວມຫຍັ ໍ ້
ອງປະກອບົ 1 (ການປະເມນຂີ ໍມ້ ນນູ າໍ້ ແລະ ການວເຄາະລະບິ ບົ ) ແລະ ອງປະກອບົ 2 (ການພດທະນາັ ນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ ) ຂອງໂຄງການ TA 7013-LAO ໄດຈ້ ດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ການຮວມມ່ ື ລະຫວາງ່ ກມຊົ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແລະ ທີມ ງານຊຽວຊານ່ ທ່ ີຢພາຍໃຕູ່ ການນ້ າພາໍ ຂອງ ບໍລິສດັ GHD Pty Ltd ໃນລະຫວາງ່ ເດອນພະຈື ກິ 2008 ແລະ ຄາດວາຈະສ່ າເລໍ ັດພາຍໃນ ເດອນື ຕລາຸ 2010. ຈດປະສຸ ງົ ຂອງ ອງປະກອບົ 1 ແມນ່ ເພ່ ືອທບທວນຂົ ໍມ້ ນູ , ຂາວສານ່ ແລະ ເຄ່ ອງມື ື ກຽວກ່ ບຊັ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແລະ ກະກຽມ ຍດທະສາດຸ ໂດຍອງໃສີ ຂ່ ໍມ້ ນເຫລູ ່ ົານ.ີ້ ໃນເວລາດຽວກນັ , ຈດປະສຸ ງົ ຂອງອງົ ປະກອບ 2 ແມນ່ ເພ່ ືອພດທະນາັ ແລະ ຮບຮອງເອັ ົາ ການປບປັ ງຸ ນະໂຍບາຍຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ , ຍດທະຸ ສາດ ແລະ ແຜນຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ . ນອກຈາກນ,ີ້ ໂຄງການຍງຮັ ບປະກັ ນວັ າ່ ເວັບຊາຍຂອງ ອງົ ການຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແລະ ສ່ ງແວດລິ ອມໄດ້ ້ ຮບການສັ າງຕ້ ງັ້ ແລະ ສະໜອງ ການຝຶກອບົ ຮມໃຫົ .້
ເພ່ ືອຕອບສະໜອງກບຈັ ດປະສຸ ງເຫລົ ່ ົານ,ີ້ ໂຄງການໄດລ້ ິເລີມພາຍໃນໄຕມາດທ້ ່ ີ 4 ປີ 2008. ວຽກຂອງອງປະກອບົ 1 ໄດດ້ າເນໍ ນການປະເມີ ນີ ຂໍມ້ ນູ ແລະ ຮບແບບຈູ າລອງຊໍ ບພະຍາກອນັ ນາພາຍໃນຕໍ້ ນປົ້ ີ 2009 ແລະ ພາຍໃນໄຕມາດທ່ ີ 3 ໃນບດສະຫລົ ບປະຈຸ າປໍ ີ ແລະ ກະກຽມການ ຈດຕັ ງກອງປະຊັ້ ຸມປຶກສາຫາລື, ເຊ່ງໄດີ ນ້ າເອໍ ົາ ຄວາມຄດເຫິ ັນຂອງ ກອງປະຊຸມດງກ່ັ າວ່ ເປັນພື້ນ ຖານນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ ແລະ ການກະກຽມ ໂຄງການ ສະໜບສະໜັ ນູ ການຄມຄອງຊຸ້ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າແບບປະສໍ້ ມປະສານົ (National IWRM Support
Program) ພາຍໃນທາຍໄຕມາດຂອງ້ ປີ 2009. ການຮາງກອບ່ ນະໂຍບາຍ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ຂອງອງປະກອນົ 2 ພາຍໃນ ກາງປີ 2009, ເຊ່ງໄດິ ຈ້ ດກອງປະຊັ ຸມປຶກສາຫາລ ື ໃນກອບແຜນ ງານນ ີ້ ແລະ ໄດຮ້ ບການຮັ ບຮອງອະນັ ມຸ ດັ ພາຍໃນກາງປີດຽວກນັ . ພາຍໃນທາຍໄຕມາດທ້ ີ 3, ໄດມ້ ການກະກຽມີ ເອກະສານ ຈດສຸ າຄໍ ນທັ ່ ີຄວນເອົາໃຈໃສ ່ “key results area” ເຊ່ງເປິ ັນ ເອກະ ສານທ່ ີສາຄໍ ນໃນການຈັ ດລຽງຫັ ວຂົ ໍຕ້ າງໆ່ ທ່ ີເປັນບລູ ິມະສດຢິ ໃນເນູ່ ອໃນນະໂຍບາຍື້ . ການກະກຽມ ຮາງເອກະສານ່ ນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດຸ ທະສາດຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າໄດໍ້ ມ້ ຂີ ນໃນໄລຍະຶ້ ໄຕມາດທ່ ີ 3 ຫາ 4 ປີ 2009. ໃນໄລຍະໄຕມາດ ທ່ ີ 1 ປີ 2010 ເປັນຂດໝາຍທີ ່ ີສາຄໍ ນໃນການັ ປບປັ ງຮຸ າງ່ ນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ , ເຊ່ງໄດິ ຕອບສະໜອງຕາມຄວາມ້
iv 31/23431 Updating the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010
ຮຽກຮອງຂອງອຊນສ້ ກອງປະຊຸມ ປຶກສາຫາລືໄດເປ້ ີດກວາງໃຫ້ ມ້ ການປະກອບີ ຄວາມຄດເຫິ ັນ ຂອງພາກສວນກ່ ຽວຂ່ ອງ້ ທງລະດັ ບັ ສນກາງູ ແລະ ທອງຖ້ ່ນໃນໄລຍະໄຕມາດທີ ີ 2 ປີ 2010.
ການທບທວນົ ແລະ ການອະນມຸ ດໄລຍະສັ ດທຸ າຍ້ ແມນໄດ່ ດ້ າເນໍ ນໄປໃນໄລຍະໄຕມາດີ ທ່ ີ 3 ແລະ 4, ໂດຍສະເພາະແມນກອງປະຊ່ ຸມຂອງຄະນະກາມະການແມໍ ນ່ າຂອງແຫໍ້ ງຊາດລາວທ່ ່ ີຈດຂັ ນຶ້ ໃນເດອນກື ລະກໍ ດົ 2010. ຢໃນໄຕມາດທູ່ ່ ີ 3 ປີ 2010 ນ ີ້ ແມນໄດ່ ລ້ ງລາຍົ ລະອຽດ ກຽວກ່ ບັ ແຜນການການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ແລະ ການຕດຕາມກວດກາຢິ ພາຍໃນູ່ ອຊນສ.
ອຊນສ ໄດຮ້ ບການຊັ ວຍເຫລ່ ືອ ແລະ ຮວມມ່ ໃນການເພື ີ້ມຄວາມເຂັມແຂງໃຫ້ ການປະຕ້ ບິ ດງານັ ຂອງເວບຊາຍ ໃນຕນປົ້ ີ 2009, ເຊ່ງມີ ການສີ ງລວມເວບຊາຍເຂັ ົ້າຮວມກນັ ແລະ ເລີມເປ້ ີດການ ນາໃຊໍ ບ້ ໍລິການພາຍໃນໄຕມາດທ່ ີ 4 ປີ 2009. ພາຍໃນໄຕມາດທ່ ີ 2 ປີ 2010 ໄດມ້ ການີ ທບົ ທວນ, ປະກອບຄວາມເຫັນໃນການສາງຄວາມເຂ້ ັມແຂງໃຫ້ ເວບຊາຍ້ ແລະ ໄດສ້ ງລວມເອັ ົາ ຂໍຄ້ ດິ ເຫັນເພ່ ືອປບປັ ງເວບຊາຍໃຫຸ ດ້ ຂີ ນຶ້ , ເຊ່ງໄດີ ຈ້ ດຂັ ນຶ້ ໃນໄຕມາດ ທີ 3 ຂອງປີດຽວກນັ .
ໜາວຽກຂອງໂຄງການ້ ໄດມ້ ການປະສານງານກີ ນດັ ວຍຄວາມລະມ້ ດລະວັ ງເປັ ັນຢາງດ່ ,ີ ເຊ່ງດິ າເນໍ ນີ ໄປຄຽງຄກູ່ ບກັ ດຈະກິ າຕໍ າງໆ່ ຂອງ ຂະແໜງການນາອໍ້ ່ ນໆື . ໂຄງການພດທະນາອັ າງແມ່ ນ່ າໍ້ ນາງໍ້ ່ມື ແລະ ໃນປະຈບຸ ນັ ແມນ່ ອງປະກອບທົ ່ ີ 3 ຂອງໂຄງການ (ກະກຽມແຜນງານສະໜບສະໜັ ນູ ການ ຄມຄອງຊຸ້ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແບບປະສມປະສານົ ) ເຊ່ງໄກິ ຈະສ້ າເລໍ ັດແລວ້ ໂດຍໄດຮ້ ບຂັ ໍມ້ ນູ ທ່ ີສາໍ ຄນຈາກັ ອງປະກອບົ 1 ແລະ 2 ທ່ ີສະໜອງໃຫ ້ ລວມທງຂັ ໍມ້ ນູ , ຕວແບບຈົ າລອງໍ , ນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ . ພອມດຽວກ້ ນນັ ,ີ້ ຍງມັ ໜີ າວຽກທ້ ່ ີກາລໍ ງປະຕັ ບິ ດຢັ ູ່ ເຊ່ງິ ອຊນສ ແລະ ຄຮູ່ ວມ່ ງານພດທະນາັ ໄດສ້ າງແຜນງານ້ ສະໜບສະໜັ ນູ ການຄມຄອງຊຸ້ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແບບປະສມົ ປະສານທ່ ີໄດຮ້ ບການຈັ ດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ໃນໄລຍະຂອງໂຄງການ ແລະ ຍງສັ ບຕື ່ໍຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ . ການອະນມຸ ດນະໂຍບາຍັ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ ຈະເປັນພື້ນຖານ ອນັ ໜກແໜັ ນ້ ໃນວທິ ີການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ແຜນງານ. ໂຄງການນ ້ີ ຍງໄດັ ຊ້ ວຍ່ ອຊນສ ໃນການ ພດັ ທະນາເຄ່ ອງມື ໃນການຈື ດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ແລະ ຕດຕາມກວດກາໃຫິ ແຜນງານສະໜ້ ບສະໜັ ນູ ທ່ ີນອນ ຢໃນແຜນຍູ່ ດທະສາດຸ 5 ປີ ກຽວກ່ ບການຄັ ມຄອງຊຸ້ ບພະຍາກອນນັ າໍ້ ແລະ ໄພພິບດັ .
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ອງປະກອບເພົ ີ້ມເຕມີ ໄດບ້ ນລັ ການປະສານງານຮຸ ວມກ່ ບໂຄງການັ TA 7013-Lao ເຊ່ງໄດິ ລ້ ິເລີ້ມ ໃນການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ພາຍໃນເດອນື ພຶດສະພາ 2010 ເພ່ ືອຊວຍໃຫ່ ້ ອຊນສ ໃນການກະກຽມ ແລະ ໃຫການສະໜ້ ບສະໜັ ນຄະນະກູ າມະການອໍ າງແມ່ ນ່ າງໍ້ ່ມື ທ່ ີຫາກປະກາດໃໝໍ ໆ່ .
ການປະກອບບຄະລາກອນຸ , ເຊ່ງໄດິ ອ້ ງຕາມສິ ນຍາລະຫວັ າງ່ ADB and GHD Pty Ltd ແລະ ສນຍາປັ ບປັ ງເພຸ ີ້ມເຕມີ (ສນຍາປັ ບປັ ງເຊຸ ່ງມິ ີ 3 ຊຸດທ່ ີສາຄໍ ນັ ແລະ ໃນປະຈບຸ ນັ ). ສະມາຊກິ ທີມ ງານທງສາກັ ນົ ແລະ ທອງຖ້ ່ນໄດິ ມ້ ການປີ ບປັ ່ຽນ ເພ່ ືອບນລັ ຜຸ ນງານການເຮົ ັດວຽກ ແລະ ເວລາ ທ່ ີ ສາມາດ ມາປະກອບສວນໃຫ່ ໂຄງການ້ . ການນາໃຊໍ ເວລາຂອງບ້ ຄະລາກອນແມຸ ນໄດ່ ປະກອບ້ ສວນ່ ໃຫໂຄງການ້ ຈນຮອດເວລາໂຄງການສົ າເລໍ ັດໃນການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ .
ຈດປະສຸ ງລວມຂອງໂຄງການເຫົ ັນວາມ່ ຄວາມກີ ຽວຂ່ ອງ້ ແລະ ເໝາະສມທົ ່ ີສດຸ . ໂຄງການໄດໃຊ້ ້ ເວລາທ່ ີເໝາະສມໃນການຊົ ວຍຫ່ ຼືອ ອຊນສ, ຊ່ງເປຶ ັນອງການຈົ ດຕັ ງທັ້ ່ ີຍງໃໝັ ຂອງລ່ ດຖະບານັ ໃຫມ້ ີ ການພດທະນາຢັ າງເປ່ ັນລະບບົ ຕາມແນວທາງຍດທະສາດຸ ແລະ ບນດາແຜນການັ . ພອມດຽວ້ ກນນັ ນັ້ , ຂະບວນການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ແລະ ໝາກຜນທົ ່ ີໄດຮ້ ບຂອງັ ໂຄງການຍງໄດັ ຮ້ ບຄວາມັ ສນໃຈົ ແລະ ເປັນທ່ ີຮບຮັ ຢູ້ າງກ່ ວາງຂວາງໃນທ້ ກໆຸ ລະດບຂອງອັ ງການຈົ ດຕັ ງຂອງພາກລັ້ ດັ .
ວທິ ີການ ປະຕບິ ດໂຄງການັ ແມນໄດ່ ສະແດງໃຫ້ ເຫ້ ັນເຖງຜິ ນສົ າເລໍ ັດ, ຍອນການມ້ ສີ ວນຮ່ ວມ່ ຂອງ ພະນກງານັ ອຊນສ ແລະ ບນດາອັ ງການຈົ ດຕັ ງຂອງລັ້ ດັ ແລະ ພາກສວນກ່ ຽວຂ່ ອງອ້ ່ ນໆື ດວຍການ້ ເຮັດວຽກຮວມງານກ່ ນເປັ ັນໜວຍງານ່ , ຄະນະກາມະການທໍ ່ ີປຶກສາຕາງໆ່ ແລະ ການຈດກອງປະຊັ ຸມ ຫຼາຍໆຄງັ້ . ຂະບວນການປຶກສາຫາລ ື ກຽວກ່ ບຮັ າງນະໂຍບາຍ່ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດໄດຸ ດ້ າເນໍ ນໄປດີ ວຍ້ ການນາພາທໍ ່ ີເຂັມແຂງຂອງອຊນສ້ .
ໂຄງການໄດສະແດງໃຫ້ ເຫ້ ັນວາການສ່ າງຄວາມອາດສາມາດພາຍໃນ້ ອຊນສ ໄດຮ້ ບຜັ ນສົ າເລໍ ັດ, ໂດຍສະເພາະ ແມນ່ ຂະບວນການພດທະນານະໂຍບາຍັ ແລະ ເນອໃນື້ ຂອງນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ . ຄວາມອາດສາມາດ ໃນການພດທະນາັ ປບປັ ງຸ ເວບຊາຍຂອງ ອຊນສ.
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ບນຫາທັ ່ ີສາຄໍ ນຢັ ໃນໄລຍະເວລາທູ່ ່ ີໂຄງການສາເລໍ ັດການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດັ ແມນການລ່ ິເລີມຂອງ້ ອຊນສ ໃນການຈດຕັ ງປະຕັ້ ບິ ດນະໂຍບາຍການຄັ ມຄອງຊຸ້ ບພະຍາກອງນັ າແບບປະສໍ້ ມປະສານທົ ່ ີມຄວາມຍີ ນຶ ຍງົ , ເຊ່ງເປິ ັນສ່ ງທີ ່ ີຮຽກຮອງ້ ໃຫມ້ ການສີ າງຈ້ ດສິ ານໍ ກຢຶ າງຕ່ ່ໍເນ່ອງຢື ໃນລະດູ່ ບສັ ງູ ເພ່ ືອ ສະໜບສະໜັ ນູ ນະໂຍບາຍ ແລະ ຍດທະສາດຸ ຊບພະຍາກອນນັ າແຫໍ້ ງຊາດ່ , ການມທີ ຶນ ແລະ ພະນກງານພຽງພັ ໍ ຢພາຍໃນູ່ ອຊນສ ແລະ ບນດາຫັ ອງການຢ້ ໃນຂູ່ ນທັ້ ອງຖ້ ່ນິ ແລະ ບນດາຄະນະກັ າມະການອໍ າງແມ່ ນ່ າຕໍ້ າງໆ່ , ການຮວມມ່ ທື ່ ີເຂັມແຂງຮ້ ວມກ່ ບບັ ນດາອັ ງການຈົ ດຕັ ງທັ້ ່ ີສາຄໍ ນັ , ແລະ ການປະສານງານທ່ ີຕ່ໍເນ່ອງື ແລະ ການສະໜບສະໜັ ນູ ຄຮູ່ ວມພ່ ດທະນາຕັ າງໆ່ .
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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... ii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...... ix
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 TA 7013-LAO Structure, Objectives and Methodology...... 1 1.2 TA Context...... 3 1.3 Mid-Term Report...... 4
2 TA ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS ...... 6 2.1 Summary of Outputs and Achievements ...... 6 2.2 Component 1: Strategy and Action Plan on Water Resource Data and Modeling ...... 7 2.3 Component 2: National Water Resource Policy and Strategy ...... 10 2.4 WREA Website Development...... 14 2.5 Coordination with TA 7013 Components 3 and 4 ...... 15
3 PROJECT INPUTS ...... 17
4 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS...... 20 4.1 Evaluation and Lessons Learned ...... 20 4.2 Conclusions and Recommendations for TA Sustainability ...... 22
APPENDICES ...... 24 Appendix A National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, 2011 - 2015 ...... 25 Appendix B National Water Resources Strategy - Implementation and Monitoring Framework ...... 41 Appendix C Project Reports ...... 55 Appendix D Meeting Reports ...... 58
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADB Asian Development Bank AFD Agence Française de Développement AusAID Australian Aid for International Development CDTA Capacity development technical assistance project (ADB) DMH Department of Meteorology and Hydrology DWR Department of Water Resources EMSP Environmental Management Support Project (Finland) GIS Geographic information system IWRM integrated water resources management KRA Key results area LNMC Lao National Mekong Committee MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry MEM Ministry of Mines and Energy M&E Monitoring and evaluation MIWRMSP Mekong IWRM Support Project (World Bank) MOF Ministry of Finance MOFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MOJ Ministry of Justice MPI Ministry of Planning and Investment MRC Mekong River Commission NDMC National Disaster Management Committee NSEDP National Socio-Economic Development Plan NIWRMSP National IWRM Support Program NLMA National Land Management Authority NNRBDSP Nam Ngum River Basin Development Sector Project NWRPS National Water Resources Policy and Strategy PACSA Public Administration and Civil Service Administration PIU Project implementation unit PMU Project management unit RBC River basin committee STEA Science Technology and Environment Administration SWG Sub-working group (of National Round Table) TA Technical Assistance
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WB World Bank WERI Water and Environment Research Institute WPF Water policy framework WREA Water Resources and Environment Administration WRCC Water Resources Coordination Committee
Acknowledgements
The activities and outputs reported here were based on a close working relationship between the leaders and staff of the Water Resources and Environment Administration and, in particular, the Department of Water Resources and the consultant team under GHD Pty Ltd. and its partners. The cooperation and input from a wide range of participants in studies and consultation meetings are also gratefully acknowledged.
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 TA 7013-LAO Structure, Objectives and Methodology
1. TA 7013 LAO: Updating the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy consists of four components: Component 1 - Diagnostic Assessment of Water Data and Analysis Systems; Component 2 – National Water Resources Policy and Strategy Development; and Component 3 – Development of the Lao PDR IWRM Support Program. Components 1 and 2 have been carried out in cooperation between the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and a consultant team under the leadership of GHD Pty Ltd, between November 2008 and an expected completion in October 2010. Component 3 was completed by a group of individual consultants who reported on their work separately in November 2008. This report describes activities under Components 1 and 2 only (referred to in this report as “the Project”). 2. In July 2009 a supplementary component (Component 4) was added to TA 7013-LAO to assist WREA to (i) establishing governance and management arrangements for the National IWRM Support Program (NIWRMSP), and (ii) advance river basin management high-priority work, with initial focus on the Nam Ngum River Basin Committee. A group of individual consultants for Component 4 was mobilized in May 2010 and work is expected to be completed in November 2010. 3. The overall objective of the TA is for WREA to provide effective leadership in the implementation of a National Water Resources Policy and Strategy (NWRPS). The indicator for this outcome is that by mid-2010 WREA would be effectively coordinating water-related planning and management activities.1 The expected impact of the project is that integrated water resources management will support development and sustained economic growth in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Under Components 1 and 2, the specific outputs to be achieved by the TA were defined as: (i) Component 1: a review of water data, information and analytical tools, including strategic needs assessment is completed and a development strategy prepared; (ii) Component 2: a National Water Resources Policy and Strategy 2010 to 2015 is developed and adopted by the Government of Lao PDR2; (iii) The Key Result Areas (KRAs) for the Strategy are defined and analyzed, and a strategy implementation Action Plan for key Program areas prepared; and (iv) In addition, a WREA website is established and training provided.
4. The approach and methodology of the Project are summarized in Table 1 which shows a quarterly summary of activities across both Components 1 and 2 for data and modeling assessment, policy and strategy development and website development. The approach in all areas of work has included close cooperation between WREA staff and consulting team members, the preparation of technical studies as the basis for policy recommendations, extensive consultation with
1 Section 4 below gives comments on WREA’s capacity to provide leadership and coordination in water resource planning and management. 2 The National Water Resource Policy which has been developed does not have a defined period. The Strategy and Action Plan are for the Years 2011 – 2015.
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 government and non-government stakeholders at the central and local level, and cooperation and coordination with TA Component 4 and other parallel initiatives regarding planning for the NIWRMSP implementation. A more detailed discussion of project terms of reference, activities, outputs and achievements is given in Section 2 below.
Table 1 Summary of Quarterly Progress
Quarter Component 1: Component 2: Policy and Website / Year Data and Strategy Development Modeling 4 / 2008 Mobilization and inception (Inception workshop Jan 2009) 1 / 2009 Initiate data and Initiate drafting of water policy Initiate WREA modeling framework. website development assessment. and coordination. 2 / 2009 Cont. assessment Continue preparation of water process and policy framework. Provincial prepare data and meetings held. modeling reports / strategies. 3 / 2009 Complete data and Prepare ‘key results area’ (KRA) WREA website modeling reports / papers on priority policy topics. hardware and strategies. Consultation workshop held. First software acquired. draft of national water resource policy and strategy prepared. 4 / 2009 Reports / strategies Completed first draft of National Website training used as input to Water Resource Policy and completed and national water res. Strategy (NWRPS). comprehensive policy and to WREA website National IWRM activated. Support Program. 1 / 2010 NWRPS re-drafted in English and Lao. WREA initial approval given. WREA and inter-ministry consultation workshops held. Mid Term Report submitted 2 / 2010 Provincial, university and Website reviewed and comprehensive national workshops recommendations for held. Revisions made to draft upgrading made. NWRPS. Coordination with TA Component 4. 3 / 2010 NWRPS presented to and Website maintenance approved by LNMC. Presentation training. made to donors at Round Table Sub-Working Group meeting. NWRPS submitted to National Cabinet in September. Coordination with TA Component 4. Submission of report on Strategy implementation and monitoring. Draft final report submitted
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1.2 TA Context
5. TA 7013-LAO has taken place as the culmination, to date, of a series of projects supported by ADB and other development partners. In 1997 the Nam Ngum Watershed Management Project (ADB TA 2734-LAO) identified the need for a river basin management approach. In part as a response to recommendations made, the Government formed the Water Resources Coordination Committee (WRCC) and its Secretariat. In 1999-2000, ADB assisted WRCC to draft a national water policy and a decree to implement the Water Law (TA 3205-LAO). Implementation of these documents was limited due to lack of approval at a high level of government, insufficient awareness creation and limited capacity within government agencies. In 2003 ADB and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) initiated support to three senior agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts (later the Ministry of Energy and Mines, MEM) and the WRCC, to undertake the Nam Ngum River Basin Development Sector Project (NNRBDSP). This project included components addressing IWRM, reservoir modeling and management, and watershed management. The NNRBDSP assisted in the restructuring of water resource management agencies (including, at a later date, the Government approval to form river basin committees), developed a National Water Resources Profile which helped to identify policy needs, contributed to data and information management needs identification and strategy development, prepared a Nam Ngum River Basin Profile and IWRM Plan, and carried out a number of other activities which helped to pave the way for the current Project. 6. During late 2006 and 2007, the Lao Government commenced a restructuring of water resource management agencies. The Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA) was established in April 2007 within the Office of the Prime Minister. It absorbed the responsibilities of the Environment Department from the Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA), the WRCC Secretariat and the LNMC Secretariat. A Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office was appointed as Head of both WREA and LNMC. In addition, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to WREA. The Water Resources Coordination Committee Secretariat was upgraded to become the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and a restructure of responsibilities (previously within STEA) created the Water and Environment Research Institute (WERI). Provincial WREA offices were also formed, including units responsible for environment, meteorology and hydrology, and water resources. 7. In March 2009, the Government upgraded and re-mandated the Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC) to take on the role as national water apex body (replacing the former WRCC), in addition to its previous responsibilities for coordination with the programs of the Mekong River Commission. The LNMC is now chaired by a deputy prime minister. The LNMC Secretariat, which was relocated from the Prime Minister’s Office to WREA in May 2007, was also incorporated into DWR in March 2009. 8. In June 2010, following lengthy deliberation, the Government approved the establishment of river basin committees (RBCs) (PM Decree 293/PM, dated 15 June 2010). Initial RBCs are being established in the Nam Ngum and Nam Theun / Nam Kading basins, with the expectation that other RBCs will be formed in the future. RBCs will be primarily planning and advisory bodies. They will have a focus on provincial-level membership, but will also have central level, private sector and mass organization membership. It is expected that they will play an important role in IWRM
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 and the implementation of the National Water Resource Policy and Strategy at the local level. 9. Under Component 3 of TA 7013-LAO, ADB and AusAID assisted WREA to develop initial plans for an NIWRMSP in late 2008, prior to the commencement of work to develop the draft water resources policy. The focus of the NIWRMSP was capacity building for IWRM within WREA, although it was expected that a number of other agencies would play an important role in the implementation of the National Water Resource Policy and Strategy (NWRPS) through the activities of the NIWRMSP. The Support Program illustrated WREA’s intension to take a “program approach” to IWRM, based on clear government policy and prioritized and coordinated activities across all concerned government agencies. 10. The NWRPS have been prepared so as to coordinate with the activities proposed under the NIWRMSP. In most cases, the Support Program components addressed priorities which have been confirmed in the policy development. In a few cases, such as the development for policies and procedures on water allocation and water resource royalties, recommendations have been made to strengthen the coverage of these in the appropriate NIWRMSP component. 11. Another important and parallel activity has been the development of a WREA five-year strategic plan under the National Socioeconomic Development Plan (NESDP). The WREA plan for the period of 2011 – 2015 provides strategic goals and a set of 11 programs which are grouped into three categories: (i) environment, (ii) climate change, and (iii) water resources and disaster management. These will help to guide annual plans and budgets and will also serve as the basis for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of WREA’s progress. A careful assessment was made of the overlap between the NWRPS and the WREA five-year plan. The Project’s report on “National Water Resource Strategy – Implementation and Monitoring” (July 2010) has been discussed with WREA and will be used, in part, to guide WREA’s M&E activities in the water resource and disaster management area, as well as serving as a model for M&E in the environment and climate change areas. One important feature of the Implementation and Monitoring Framework is the identification of important, parallel strategies and programs which must be taken into account in the implementation of the NWRPS. This is discussed in detail in Section 0 below. 12. WREA is taking steps to strengthen its coordination with international development partners through the formation of a Round Table Sub-Working Group (SWG) on Water Resources and Disaster Management under the National Round Table process. The SWG is co-chaired by ADB. An initial meeting of the SWG was held on 17 August 2010 to present and seek comments on the draft NWRPS. In addition to ADB and WB, a number of donor countries, such as Australia, Spain, Germany, Finland, Japan and others, have confirmed or expressed interest in supporting various aspects of the NIWRMSP or closely related environmental activities, and thus implementation of the NWRPS.
1.3 Mid-Term Report
13. One of the major milestones of the present Project was the submission of a Mid-Term Report in March 2010. That report summarized work which had been carried out in Phase 1 (from Inception to February 2010) and proposed a revised work plan and expected outputs for Phase 2 (the remainder of the Project). Because that report was prepared just six months before the present Final Report, it has
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 served as a major source of information in this report. The Mid-Term Report consisted of the following volumes: • Volume 1 (Main Report): A summary of Project activities during Phase 1, including an introduction to the project and its rationale; objectives, methodology, activities and outputs; proposed objectives and plans for Phase 2; summary of project inputs; and recommendations and conclusions. Appendices included a list of all consultation workshops to date and a list of project reports which had been prepared in Phase 1. • Volume 2 (Assessment of Water Data and Analysis Systems): Included sections on water resource data collection and management status, recommended data collection and management improvements, modeling capability status, and recommended modeling development. • Volume 3 (Draft National Water Resources Policy and Draft National Strategy and Action Plan for the Years 2011 – 2015): Draft Policy and Strategy documents as of March 2010, approved by WREA for consultation workshops. • Volume 4 (Water Policy and Website Consultation Reports): A brief description of all workshops held, including agendas, main outcomes and list of participants. 14. In addition to the four volumes of the Mid-Term Report, a number of “Key Results Area” (KRA) papers and supplementary reports were submitted to DWR and ADB in March 2010. These are listed in Appendix C of this report. These KRA papers and supplementary reports have gone through various review and consultation activities and have all been taken into account in the development of successive drafts of the NWRPS. 15. The focus of this Final Report is on activities and accomplishments since the Mid-Term Report and on an overall assessment of the Project. Section 2 gives a more detailed account of the activities and outputs of Component 1 and 2 in light of the Project’s stated objectives and required outputs, as well as subsequent developments “on the ground”. Section 3 summarizes the use of Project inputs, particularly manpower. A full financial report will be provided elsewhere. Section 4 gives lessons learned and recommendations for implementation of the NWRPS and the general IWRM initiative which WREA is carrying out. Appendices are also attached, including: • Appendix A: National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, 2011 – 2015. • Appendix B: National Water Resources Strategy – Implementation and Monitoring Framework • Appendix C: A list of all project reports prepared and submitted3, and • Appendix D: A list of all workshops, including details of the July 2010 meeting of LNMC and the August 2010 meeting of the Sub-Working Group on Water Resources and Disaster Management – which have not been reported elsewhere.
3 A compact disc containing all project reports was distributed at the Project’s final workshop on 1 October 2010. Participants who received this CD included WREA leaders and members of the inter- ministry Advisory Committee and Policy Working Group.
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2 TA ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS
2.1 Summary of Outputs and Achievements
16. As mentioned above, Component 1 of the Project was designed to review water data, information and analytical tools and strategic needs and prepare a strategy. Component 2 was to prepare a National Water Resources Policy and Strategy, including an Action Plan for key program areas. Also a WREA website was to be established and training provided. Table 2 gives a summary of the required outputs of the Project, mentioned in the initial TA 7013-LAO report and GHD contract. The table also summarizes results achieved in each area. 17. Contract Variation 1, approved in August 2009, included a number of revisions to the project terms of reference. The original submission of an “Interim Water Resources Policy and Strategy to 2010” was replaced with submission of a “Water Resources Policy Framework Report”. This was based on an indication from DWR that the interim policy step was not required and that they wished to develop a Water Policy Framework as the basis for further policy development work. The terms of reference for the international Water Data and Information Specialist, the international Modeling Specialist and the deliverable for Component 1 were amended to better coordinate with parallel work under the NNRBDSP. The revised output was agreed to be a report on organizational responsibilities and updated data collection, processing and management strategies and the cost required to implement these. Finally, the terms of reference regarding the development of a WREA website were amended to better reflect the existing situation and needs of WREA in this area.
Table 2 Project Outputs and Results Achieved
Activities and Contract Achievement / Output Milestones (Project Outputs Design and Monitoring Framework), TA Report & Contract Variation 1 - Inception Inception Report submitted to DWR and Report ADB in March 2009. 1.1 Diagnostic review of - Hydrological Diagnostic reviews completed and water-related data, and strategies prepared in 2nd quarter, 2009. information and meteorological KRA papers prepared in 3rd quarter modeling systems on a data strategy 2009. Results of these analyses were river basin basis and used in drafting the NWRPS and 1.2 Complete strategic development preparation of NIWRMSP. Report on needs assessment plan data and modeling reviews and (data, information, strategies submitted as Volume 2 of analytical systems) Mid-Term Report (March 2010) 2.1 Water Policy - Review of Water Resource Policy Framework Framework existing Policy prepared, approved by Minister and and Strategy submitted to ADB in July 2009. - Analysis of opportunities
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and threats - Water Policy Framework 2.2 Consultation - Report on Consultation workshops held throughout workshops for consultation policy development process. Report on preparation of water workshops and Phase 1 consultations submitted as resources strategy and stakeholder Mid-Term Report Volume 4 (March policy analyses 2010). Report on Phase 2 consultation submitted in June 2010. 2.3 Identification of KRA papers prepared in 3rd quarter, water management key 2009; consultations held. Papers used priority areas for which as input to prepare the NWRPS. KRA detailed strategies are to papers submitted to DWR and ADB with be developed Mid-Term Report, March 2010. 2.4 Finalization of long- First draft of NWRPS prepared in 4th term policy and strategy quarter, 2009. NWRPS redrafted and submitted to DWR and ADB as Mid- Term Report Volume 3 (March 2010). Consultations held in 2nd quarter 2010. NWRPS agreed by LNMC in July 2010 and submitted to the National Cabinet in September 2010. - Mid Term Submitted March 2010, together with 11 Report KRA and background reports - Functional Website equipment purchased, training WREA website held, website operational and website and report submitted in 4th quarter, 2009. management Website maintenance report submitted system in June 2010 and additional training held in September 2010. Website is functional and is being upgraded. - Monitoring Report on NWRPS implementation and and evaluation M&E submitted to DWR and ADB in framework July 2010. Further consultation with WREA departments held in 3rd quarter 2010 and a revised report submitted in September 2010 and discussed at final project workshop. - Draft Final Draft Final Report submitted 15 Report and September 2010 Final Report
2.2 Component 1: Strategy and Action Plan on Water Resource Data and Modeling
18. The methodology adopted for Component 1 was, for both water data and modeling: (i) Assessment of needs, including an assessment of the current capability and initial recommendations on organizational responsibilities and relationships in these areas;
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(ii) Dissemination of these findings and invitations to comment from agencies across the water sector, including interviews (January 2009) with senior staff from all WREA agencies and with the most relevant line agencies; (iii) Detailed assessment of the current capacity and of opportunities to strengthen capability; (iv) A workshop to discuss the findings and the options (June 2009); (v) Improvement to draft reports on water data and modeling needs and capabilities; (vi) Preparation of two short papers describing the issues in water data and modeling, the relationship of these important information areas to the water policy and outline of a capacity building program in the two areas; and (vii) A workshop to discuss the two papers and the recommended capacity building programs. 19. It was recognized early in the Project that an extensive, parallel water resource data and information initiative had been carried out under the NNRBDSP. Water resources data and information management procedures across a number of agencies had been reviewed and a WREA policy on water resources data and information had been prepared, including descriptions of department roles and initial recommendations on data management financing. The NNRBDSP had also conducted a detailed needs assessment of DMH, with recommendations for capacity building in relation to the upcoming World Bank Mekong IWRM Support Project (MIWRMSP, part of the overall NIWRMSP). The same international consultant (i) assisted DMH in its planning under the NNRBDSP, (ii) cooperated with the present Project by preparing the KRA paper on data management, and (iii) assisted in the World Bank’s preparation of activities under the MIWRMSP. Under the NIWRMSP (TA 7013, Component 3 and subsequent development of project preparation documents) plans have been developed for strengthening DMH and the modeling, water quality and groundwater roles of the WERI. Therefore, in view of the considerable previous and parallel work in data and information and modeling, the assessment and recommendations (KRA papers) prepared under Component 1 were not considered by WREA as “stand alone” strategies for data management and modeling, but rather as an input to the NWRPS. As indicated, they have also been used in the development of the NIWRMSP, particularly by the World Bank in the development of its MIWRMSP, Sub-Component 2-4 on “Hydromet Monitoring and Flood and Drought Warning”. 20. International and national inputs were provided to prepare the assessment of water data and analysis systems. The inputs were divided into three phases with workshops in the second and third phases to discuss the findings and recommendations of the consultants. Two reports, “Diagnostic Report on Water Resources Data and Information System of Lao PDR” and “Developing a National Capability in Hydrological Modeling” were prepared. The reports were successively improved on the basis of the consultant findings and the comments from the Water Policy Working Group. The Water Policy Working Group was presented with the initial findings concerning status and needs, then with analysis and strategy at the meetings which discussed the water policy framework. In addition, the consultants had individual meetings with the relevant agencies during their missions. 21. In June 2009, following identification of the general approach for improved water data and building capacity in modeling, two short papers, on key result areas of water data improvement and creating a greater capacity in modeling, were written. These papers identified actions and responsibilities required to achieve the required results. The KRA papers were presented to the Working Group at a meeting on 26
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June 2009. Copies of the consultation reports related to water data and modeling were submitted in Mid-Term Report, Volume 4 - Water Policy and Website Consultation Reports. 22. During this process the consultants cooperated with the NNRBDSP and exchanged findings and reports. The final short paper on water data issues and capacity building was drafted by the NNRBDSP consultant. 23. The result of this process has been: 1. An assessment which identifies the inter-relationships between water data and modeling in supporting planning and management processes for development of water resources in Lao PDR; 2. A framework for improving water data covering issues in meteorology and hydrology, water quality, groundwater and water use, which takes into account the work and findings of NNRBDSP; and 3. A framework for increased capacity in modeling which links with the developments at the Mekong River Commission Secretariat and its capacity building programs and identifies opportunities for greater sustainability by strengthening links with the National University of Laos. The strategic recommendations have been incorporated into the NWRPS. 24. Key elements of the water data and modeling recommendations are: • Establish clear and distinct agency responsibilities for data (types of data and data function – collection, long-term storage and management, dissemination, modeling and other uses); • Define responsibilities for long-term data management and availability following national and international standards • Develop and follow protocols for open sharing and exchange of data; • Stakeholder feedback mechanisms to improve the data collection and management system; • Improvements to accuracy and coverage of water data through better network design and development, and standardized methods, procedures, operation, equipment, maintenance, training, etc.; • Greater use of databases, GIS systems and other data management software, including learning from and linking with the MRC data systems; • Improvements in funding, including arrangements for private data collection to become part of the national data network; • Develop a capacity for water system modeling within WERI to support the water resources planning and management functions of DWR • Develop a capacity within DWR to: o specify modeling scenarios; o review and comment on modeling undertaken by WERI using these modeling scenarios; and o use modeling results produced by WERI to recommend river basin planning and management actions to river basin and sub-basin committees and • Modeling capacity should be built to take advantage of MRC modeling capability and strategy. 25. As mentioned, a number of these recommendations have been made already in the reports of the NNRBDSP and the NIWRMSP. They are repeated here as further confirmation and as input to the NWRPS and NIWRMSP.
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2.3 Component 2: National Water Resource Policy and Strategy
2.3.1 Policy and Strategy Development
26. The policy and strategy development under Component 2 took place in two phases: a policy development phase from Inception to February 2010, and a consultation, approval and implementation planning phase from March to September 2010. The methodology followed during the policy development phase was: (i) Formation of water policy working and advisory groups; (ii) Preparation of draft policy material, presentation at working group meetings where members discuss and give comments, revision and further development of the material; (iii) Preparation of a water policy framework, incorporating the material, followed by discussion of the draft water policy framework; (iv) Presentation of the draft final water policy framework in the Water Policy Framework Report (May 2009)4 and approval of this report by the Minister for WREA (June 2009); (v) Preparation of key results area papers for the priority policy topics to be addressed in the NWRPS, followed by a consultation workshop (September 2009) (vi) Preparation of a first draft of the NWRPS and a first draft of a monitoring and evaluation framework (vii) Redrafting of the NWRPS in Lao (December 2009 – January 2010) (viii) Redrafting of the NWRPS in English and coordination of the two language versions (February 2010) 27. Following the Inception Workshop and the presentation of the Inception Report, an initial meeting to discuss the scope of the proposed policy, the technical processes of policy development and the planned activities in the project components, was held with water sector agency representatives on 13 February 2009. A second meeting of representatives was held on 27 February. The DWR assisted in March 2009 by forming an inter-ministry Water Policy Advisory Committee (senior officials) and a Water Policy Working Group (technical level), which reduced the changes in water sector agency representation. 28. During March the first meeting of the Working Group was held. This meeting, on 30 March, discussed the Water Policy Framework (WPF). Discussion at this meeting led to improvements in the Framework and a meeting of the Advisory Group was held on 28 and 29 April to present the revised Framework. 29. Although there is a clear need to revise the Water Law and other related laws, the policy developed under this Project took as its base certain fundamental legal statements and claims. Most specifically, the WPF was based on the statement in the Lao National Constitution that rights to land resources are owned by the national community (of Lao PDR). The current Water Law expands on this to say that water and water resources “are the property of the national community whom the State represents in their management, and in the thorough and reasonable allocation of their use to various parties5”.
4 The amended TOR were approved under Contract Variation No 2. See Footnote 2 above 5 Water and Water Resources Law, 1996
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30. The WPF Report was presented as a draft to WREA in English on 15 May 2009. This report set out the context, gave an analysis of strategies and action plans of related sectors (such as hydropower, irrigation and fisheries) and described the development process used and the expected use of the WPF. After presenting the report, the project went into a short recess, to allow the Government time to consider the Framework and advise whether it provided a suitable basis for further policy development. 31. At meetings with the Minister in June – August it was confirmed that WREA accepted the content of the WPF and particularly supported the indicated outcomes. On advice from the DWR, the project continued to prepare the NWRPS based on the WPF. 32. In June the government recommended that the WPF be presented to representatives of all provincial government at a series of workshops. Three workshops were arranged and held in central, northern and southern locations. Attendance at these workshops was by provincial cabinet, planning committee and WREA staff. 33. A stakeholder analysis for the Water Policy and Strategy was carried out, based on the mandates of the water sector agencies. A workshop was held on the stakeholder analysis to give greater certainty to the results. 34. Key result areas were determined by discussion among the project team, including the counterpart staff. The areas were selected so that activities in each area had a logical relationship, each had a clear lead agency and the number of areas was minimized to reduce the coordination requirements. KRA papers were prepared to describe the issues in each area and to define the activities, input requirements and expected outcomes. The papers were presented to the Water Policy Advisory Group in a series of meetings on 26 June and 29 and 30 June. 35. The first draft of the NWRPS was created from information in the WPF and the KRA papers. In line with Lao Government practice, the groups of actions, earlier called KRAs were re-named as Action Plans. In response to comments, Action Plan 3 (River Basin and Sub-basin Planning) and 4 (Watershed Management) were merged. 36. During the period of December 2009 to February 2010 edited and shortened versions of the Policy and Strategy were prepared by the consultants in February 2010 with parallel wording in both Lao and English. In mid-February the Minister responsible for WREA approved the start of workshops to publicize and seek comments on the draft Policy and Strategy.
2.3.2 Policy and Strategy Consultation and Approval
37. The methodology followed during the consultation, approval and implementation planning phase, from March – September 2010, was: (i) A series of workshops for a) WREA leaders and staff (9 March), b) the inter-ministry Advisory Committee (18 March), c) provincial representatives in three regional workshops (26 March, 5 and 9 April), d) university representatives (25 May), e) private sector and government representatives under an IUCN working group (11 June), and f) a comprehensive national workshop for central and provincial government leaders as well as donor and private sector representatives (14 June)
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(ii) Presentation of the draft documents to the Lao National Mekong Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and including a number of senior ministry representatives (23 July)6 (iii) Presentation of the NWRPS to the first meeting of a Round Table Sub- Working Group on Water Resources and Disaster Management (17 August)5, with written comments from the Australian Embassy following, and (iv) Submission of the final draft documents to Cabinet for approval (September 2009) 38. As mentioned above, a report on Phase 1 consultation activities was included with the Mid-Term Report (Volume 4) in March 2010. A report on Phase 2 consultation activities, up to the National Workshop in June, was prepared and submitted to DWR and ADB in June 2010. A list of all consultation activities, both those in Phase 1 and Phase 2, is included in Appendix D below. 39. Following each of the consultation activities above DWR carried out a detailed review of the comments received and re-drafting of the documents to reflect agreed responses. Care was taken to keep the documents concise, accurate and easy to understand. This care and attention was particularly important in refining the Lao version of the Policy and Strategy, giving it the tone of a true Lao document rather than a translation from English. Comments on wording were given throughout the consultation process, including comments from technical agencies, the Ministry of Justice, LNMC members and others. 40. The Minister was regularly briefed on this work and gave her comments at key points. The extended consultation process contributed not only to a refinement of the concepts and wording of the documents, but also to development of a considerable level of awareness regarding the contents of the documents, the Government’s intensions regarding IWRM and the implications of the NWRPS for future actions by involved agencies. The consultation process and the resulting national awareness have contributed to a significant level of national “ownership” of the Policy and Strategy and, thus, to greater prospects for their successful implementation. 41. With respect to awareness raising, the development of the NWRPS has been well covered by the media. Newspaper reports were written about many of the consultation activities. Television coverage was provided for the national workshop, the LNMC meeting and the Round Table Sub-Working Group meeting. DWR has not yet taken the opportunity to place the draft documents on the WREA website. The department is being encouraged to do so, both with the NWRPS and other official documents in draft or final form. 42. The NWRPS are expected to be published as two separate documents – one containing the Policy and Strategy / Action Plan in Lao and the other containing the same material in English. It is expected that approximately 2000 copies of the Lao and English publications will be printed for distribution immediately and into the future. The English version of the documents, as of early October 2010, are included as Appendix A of this report.
6 See Appendix D of this report for meeting details.
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2.3.3 Strategy Implementation and Monitoring
43. During the period of June – September 2010 work was carried out to prepare a Strategy Implementation and Monitoring Framework. This framework brings together (i) the 9 programs and related activities in the National Water Resources Strategy, (ii) the components of the NIWRMSP (originally 10 components), and (iii) the programs of the WREA five-year strategic plan (originally 11 programs). 44. A report on “National Water Resources Strategy – Implementation and Monitoring” was prepared and submitted to DWR and ADB in July 2010. That report investigated the Government strategic planning and M&E process under the National Socioeconomic Development Plan (NSEDP), the current form of the NIWRMSP and its place in supporting the implementation of the NWRPS. The report also put forward a draft matrix which could serve as a basis for planning the implementation and monitoring of the NWRPS in the context of WREA’s 5 year planning. The matrix consists of rows for each program and activity in the National Water Resources Strategy. These were further broken down by the years from 2011 – 2015. The Framework’s columns show the following: • expected outputs and measurable indicators, largely drawn from the text of the Strategy, with disaggregation to show annual outputs for the 5 year period • leading agencies (WREA departments, RBCs, etc) and other supporting agencies that will need to be involved in the Strategy implementation • Government inputs, including expected staff and budget requirements • donor support activities, largely grouped under the ADB CDTA on IWRM, the World Bank Mekong IWRM Support Project (MIWRMSP), and other donor support projects which are expected to directly contribute to the Strategy implementation, • related strategies and programs which have a close linkage to the Strategy implementation and will need coordination attention, and • results achieved. 45. During July – September work was done with DWR, DMH and WERI to complete as much of the matrix as possible. Discussion were held to reach agreement on the details in the Framework and how this tool would be used to coordinate the implementation of the Strategy through the NIWRMSP and how it would assist WREA in monitoring, evaluating and reporting on IWRM progress. 46. In September an updated report on implementation and monitoring of the NWRPS was prepared, entitled “National Water Resources Strategy Implementation and Monitoring, Completion Report”. This report was based on the July 2010 report mentioned above, with the addition of a first draft of a complete Implementation and Monitoring Framework, was based on work carried out in July and August, and with updated conclusions and recommendations. 47. The first draft of the Implementation and Monitoring Framework is also included as Appendix B of this report. This draft Framework was presented and discussed at a final workshop on 1 October 2010 with WREA representatives and also the inter-ministry Advisory Committee and Policy Working Group. The results of this workshop are presented in Appendix D of this report.
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2.4 WREA Website Development
48. The Project carried out activities to assist WREA to develop and maintain a website which would further the objectives of WREA in meeting its responsibilities for water and environmental management. The website can contribute to the development of unity of purpose among WREA departments, increasing public awareness of WREA’s role and responsibilities, and the division of these responsibilities among its agencies and departments, and disseminating project information, including information about the Water Policy and Strategy. The project assisted in this development through technical support, training (specifically on the design of the website and implementation of that design) and purchase of equipment. 49. The process followed in developing a WREA website during Phase 1 of the Project (Inception to February 2010) was: (i) Formation of Web Master’s Working Group and presentation of project objectives and desired outcomes (ii) Preparation of draft procedures for creation, operation and maintenance of WREA website, and discussion of draft procedures among the Web Master’s Working Group (iii) Procurement and installation of web server and associated equipment (iv) Establishment of WREA website structure and department sub-structures (v) Provision of training in preparation of website information and procedures for maintenance of the website (vi) Population of the WREA website structure and department structures with information, in Lao language, provided by WREA and Department Web Masters (vii) Population of WREA website with English versions of the same information 50. Details of the website development process during Phase 1 were submitted to WREA and ADB in a report entitled “WREA Website Implementation Report” in December 2009. 51. During May 2010 a review of the WREA website was conducted and recommendations on upgrading it were prepared. The report on this work, submitted in June 2010, indicated that the technical basis of the website (hardware and software) appeared to be generally satisfactory, although the Information Technology and Awareness Division of the WREA Cabinet Office indicated the need for one laptop computer and one external hard drive to assist in ongoing website operation. 52. The more significant issues, however, involve the content of the website and the difficulties in getting all WREA departments to update and maintain their sections of the website. Although the website sections for the Cabinet Office (where the Information Technology and Awareness Division serves as webmaster), the GMS Secretariat and the LNMC were more up to date and complete, other department website sections were generally not well maintained. As noted in the June report, all parts of the website needed additional upgrading and maintenance regarding (i) news and events, (ii) legislation and official documents, (iii) education and awareness material, (iv) technical material and data, (v) external links, and (vi) organization and contact information. 53. The June report proposed that a training course should be held for representatives of all WREA departments to increase their understanding of the
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 importance of communications, working with the media, professional ethics (balance, openness, etc), types of communication material, writing practices (planning, interviewing, writing, use of photos), checking and editing, basic graphic design. A number of recommendations were made in the report regarding ways to upgrade the website and to ensure that it was useful to potential users. 54. The proposed training course was held from 20 – 24 September 2010 at the International Cooperation and Training Center in Vientiane. As planned, the objectives of the course were to review and assess the existing website, to train participants on how to update and upload material and to train them on writing and page design for the website as well as other awareness material. Participants represented all WREA departments at the central level and one from the RBC level.7 55. The website training course focused on three topics: (i) writing website articles on news and other topics, (ii) graphic design of website pages, and (iii) website technical management and uploading of information. Topic (i) was taught by two instructors from the Institute of Mass Media and Culture in the Ministry of Information and Culture. The instruction was based on a similar media writing course which had been carried out recently for the National Land Management Authority. Topics (ii) and (iii) were taught by three instructors from SybexInfo Computers, a local computer and IT training company. 56. The evaluation of the website training course was quite positive. Participants indicated that they received useful information on both the information uploading procedures and on writing and page design. The writing and design skills will be useful both in preparing information for the website and also for other awareness material development. Course instructors were evaluated positively. 57. The website training course also helped to re-form and solidify plans for WREA’s ongoing website maintenance. The website working group membership was updated and plans were made for more participation in regular meetings. Participants agreed to keep in touch with one another to practice the skills which were learned. DWR participants, in particular, agreed to work together under the leadership of the department’s Policy and Legislation Division. Steps will be taken to pass on the information from the course to provincial and RBC secretariats.
2.5 Coordination with TA 7013 Components 3 and 4
58. As indicated above, TA 7013-LAO was extended in July 2009, and consultants mobilized in May 2010, by adding a Component 4 to the Project to assist WREA in (i) establishing governance and management arrangements for the NIWRMSP and (ii) advance river basin management high-priority work, with initial focus on the Nam Ngum River Basin Committee. The consultant team for Components 1 and 2 have coordinated closely with the Component 4 team. Activities in which there has been joint activity include: • initial orientation and sharing of documents, • assessment of the linkage between (i) National Water Resource Strategy programs and activities and (ii) NIWRMSP components; comments and recommendations regarding the ADB CDTA and the World Bank MIWRMSP in order to increase coordination with the NWRPS,
7 Participants included the following: DWR (12), Nam Theun / Nam Kading RBCS (1), Cabinet Office (4), DOE (2), DMH (2), GMS Secretariat (1), WERI (3), and DESIA (3)
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• discussion of the establishment of the NIWRMSP program management unit (PMU) and program implementation units (PIUs) in WREA, • establishment of the Nam Ngum River Basin Committee Secretariat and, in particular, the proposed Hydropower and Mining Forum which is expected to be formed as a sub-group under the Committee, and • miscellaneous communication with the Minister for WREA on water resource topics. 59. Although the consultants work on Component 3 was completed and a report submitted to WREA and ADB in November 2008, work has continued up to the present (and is still ongoing) regarding detailed planning of the Support Program and details for the ADB, World Bank and other donor projects which will cover parts of the overall program. The Project has had ongoing communication and coordination with aspects of that work. Some of the individual consultants which have worked on Components 1 and 2 of this Project have also worked on the preparation of Support Program components. It is expected that WREA will be able to use the Implementation and Monitoring Framework as a tool for coordination of the National IWRM Strategy, the NIWRMSP and the WREA five year plan and monitoring activities. In an overall sense, it is hoped that both WREA and donor partners will recognize the NWRPS, after it is approved by Government, as the guiding statement of the IWRM direction and priorities in a true “program approach.”
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3 PROJECT INPUTS
60. Consultant inputs were provided under a contract between ADB and GHD (Australia), in association with TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Co. (Thailand) and Burapha Development Consultants Co. (Lao PDR). The original contract specified a list of international and domestic consultant team members, their respective input levels (person-months) and agreed mobilization schedule. During the course of the project three contract variations have been requested. Variation No. 1 was approved on 31 August 2009, Variation No. 2 on 16 February 2010, and Variation 3 is, at the time of this report, still pending. These variations include changes in the list of team members, the level of input of individual members and other details such as details regarding project terms of reference and other aspects of the project budget. 61. Table 3 shows details of the consultant team: name, position, input level as specified in the original contract, and the expected input level used at the end of the Project, 31 October 2010. This list includes both the originally listed team members (some of whom, as shown, were never mobilized) and replacements agreed to through contract variations. Reasons for changes in the team list are mentioned in paragraph 60 below. The final input levels in the last column of Table 3 are subject to approval of Contract Variation 3. 62. Figure 1 shows the pattern of consultant mobilization. The figure includes the mobilization schedule given in the original project contract and the actual mobilization during the Project. The list of team members in Figure 1 does not include those which were never mobilized. Also, the mobilization periods shown in the figure are approximate, since some mobilizations took place for only a few days at a time.
Table 3 Consultant Inputs Provided Under GHD Contract
Original Actually Used to Consultant Name Position Contract 31 October 2010 Amount International person-months Hugh Milner 18.0 11.91 Team Leader 5.96 (field) Alfred Birch (R) 0.0 0.1364 (home) Kitti Naparaxawong Water Data and Information Specialist 1.5 1.50 Richard Beecham Modeling Specialist 1.5 1.50 Siriluck Sirisup Participatory Planning Specialist 1.5 1.60 Chaiyuth Sukhsri Policy Development Specialist 1.5 0.8667 Clive Lyle River Basin Planner 1.5 2.1667 Total International 25.5 25.6398
National Sithanh Vongsiry Hydropower Planning Specialist 4.0 0.7273 Vivarath Sihabouj Ag. Water Management Specialist 4.0 0.0 Sisangouane Urban and Rural WSS Spec 4.0 0.0 Sirithasack Bounheuang Environmental and Aquatic Systems 4.0 0.0 Ninchaleune Specialist
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Sen Senpaty Participatory Planning Specialist 6.0 0.0 Anousa Website Engineer 3.0 2.4999 Sounnavong Somsavanh River Basin Planner 6.0 16.83 Phanmatha Changseng Modeling Specialist 1.5 0.7272 Phonpachith Nanthinga Data Management Specialist 1.5 1.0450 Phissamay Outhai Oudavong Water Resources / Hydrologist 6.0 0.8209 Khamkeng Chanthavaongsa Ag. Water Management Specialist 0.0 1.50 (R) Khamlasy Participatory Planning Specialist 0.0 2.9546 Maokhamphiou (R) Khombong Data Management Specialist 0.0 1.2274 Thipbandith (R) Sisamone Urban and Rural WSS Spec 0.0 0.0 Kongmany (R) Sengmanichanh Public Consultation and 0.0 6.91 Somchanmavong Communication Total National 40.0 35.2376
Note: (R) – Replacement team member
63. A number of conclusions and explanations can be offered on the basis of Table 3 and Figure 1. In the first phase of the Project, particularly the first nine months, there were a number of changes in the list of domestic team members. This was due to the fact that some of these members were not available to take on their duties. The list of domestic team members was also rather long and a number of the positions were based on expertise in specific, water-using sectors. Some of these domestic team members who were experts in their technical fields were, however, unable to meet the needs of the project for high level, policy-oriented inputs. This was also true of some of the international team members. As a result changes in the list of team members had to be made and, by the second half of 2009 an agreement was reached with DWR to limit both the domestic and international team to a small number of consultants with flexible, policy-related skills and longer-term inputs. In early 2010 one new domestic team member was added because the emerging project requirements called for an expert on public consultation and communication to support the Phase 2 consultation and awareness activities.
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Figure 1 Consultant Mobilization Schedule
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4 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Evaluation and Lessons Learned
64. Project Objectives The overall objectives of the Project have proven to be very relevant and appropriate. The Project was well timed to assist WREA, as a relatively new organization in Government, to systematically develop its strategic direction and plans, bridging between broad national objectives on one side, and fairly detailed, annual work plans on the other. There has been considerable interest, at all levels of Government, in the Project process and the resulting outputs. During the course of the Project, however, some specific plans and sub-objectives were clarified and adjusted. • Component 1. A significant amount of previous and parallel activities on water resource data management and capacity building for DMH already existed at the time that Component 1 was carried out. It was decided, in consultation with DWR, to use a flexible approach which emphasized cooperation with these parallel activities and produced reports which could be used as inputs to the NWRPS and to the NIWRMSP plans for supporting data management and modeling. Although the “diagnostic review” and “strategic needs assessment” were completed as required, WREA did not express a need for a stand-alone data and modeling strategy based on these studies. • Component 2. The original Project terms of reference called for the development of an “Interim Water Resources Policy and Strategy to 2010”. In response to a request from DWR it was agreed (through Contract Variation 1) to prepare a Water Resource Policy Framework. This Framework was completed and approved by the Minister in mid-2009 as preliminary direction for water resource policy development. It was also agreed that the National Water Resource Strategy was to be developed for the 2011 – 2015 period so that it could be harmonized with the NSEDP for that period. This Framework, along with a series of short KRA papers, was useful in raising awareness and feeding stakeholder discussion on important topics, leading to the first draft of the NWRPS itself. • Website development. The objectives of the WREA website development and maintenance have been appropriate. The website became active at the end of 2009 with a unified structure, standards and tools across all WREA departments. The website development has also included the establishment of a website working group within WREA, with representatives from all departments. During a recent website training course this working group was re-formed and commitments made to meet regularly to improve the maintenance of the website. Future assistance projects should focus on working with and developing the existing website, website working group and procedures. Recommendations made in this Project’s June 2010 report on website operation should be followed up and enhanced by future assistance to WREA in this area. 65. Project Methodology In general the Project methodology proved to be successful. A significant level of involvement by WREA staff and other government and non-government stakeholders was maintained through working groups, advisory committees and various workshops. In Phase 1 international and domestic
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 consultants carried out technical studies and assisted in consultation activities and use of the results in policy drafting. The consultation process during Phase 2 was carried out successfully, with strong WREA leadership and ownership for both consultation activities and for the evolving NWRPS documents. 66. WREA Capacity Building The Project appears to have been successful in building the capacity of WREA and, particularly, the DWR. This capacity has to do with both the process of policy and strategy development and the specific content of the documents which have been produced. The Policy and Legislation Division in DWR has consistently participated in project activities and taken responsibility for key activities and arrangements which could only be carried out by government staff. Particularly in Phase 2 the DWR and WREA as a whole have taken a great deal of ownership and responsibility for developing and fine-tuning the Policy and Strategy documents, managing the consultation process, presenting them to Government for final approval and preparing for Strategy implementation. It appears that this level of ownership is the result of strong direction from the senior levels of Government and of guidance and capacity building by the Project. Capacity building has also been accomplished with respect to the WREA website. 67. It is believed that WREA, and particularly DWR, are in a reasonably strong position to apply the Strategy and, at an appropriate point in the future, to review and update the Policy and Strategy. The Implementation and Monitoring Framework which has been drafted as part of the Project provides a tool for the WREA to use in coordinating and leading an Government-wide program approach to water resource management. It is recognized that WREA is a relatively new organization in Government and is still establishing itself. It is also recognized that Government financial and staff resources as a whole are limited. Nevertheless, Government support for WREA is indicated by steps such as the formal establishment of RBCs and, hopefully, by approval of the NWRPS in the near future. Further evaluation of WREA capacity and progress in capacity building should be based on a systematic assessment of available resources and also on monitoring of NWRPS implementation using the Implementation and Monitoring Framework. 68. Coordination The water resource management field in Lao PDR has been very active during the project period. The Project overlapped the final seven months of the NNRBDSP and worked closely with that project during that time. The Project (Components 1 and 2) also followed closely after the completion of Component 3 which developed the main structure of the NIWRMSP. Further work by ADB, World Bank and other donors continued to take place during the Project period and coordination was maintained with those activities. The structure of the NWRPS was developed, to some extent, to facilitate coordinated implementation through the Support Program. TA 7013-LAO Component 4 was implemented toward the end of the Project and coordination and cooperation has also been maintained with that work. The Project’s development of an Implementation and Monitoring Framework has also been designed to promote coordination between the NWRPS, the NIWRMSP and the WREA five-year strategic plan. 69. Use of Resources The level of consulting inputs has been adequate throughout the Project. Some adjustments were needed in the team list in response to team member availability and performance issues. The approach to consultant team management has, since mid-2009, emphasized a smaller number of flexible and policy-oriented team members with longer inputs, rather than a large number of technical specialists with short mobilization periods. Contract variations have been requested (two have been approved and one is pending) to formalize team member changes and other budget adjustments.
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4.2 Conclusions and Recommendations for TA Sustainability
70. The major issue at the time of Project completion is the sustainability of the IWRM policy and strategy initiative by WREA. This will require such things as ongoing high level awareness and support for the NWRPS, adequate funding and staff within WREA and its local offices and RBCs, stronger cooperation with other key agencies, and ongoing coordination and support by development partners. 71. High level awareness and support for WREA’s IWRM activities appear to be developing well. The formation of WREA itself and its local structures (provincial offices and RBCs), and the reorganization of the LNMC and its role in inter-ministry coordination and policy development are indications that senior government leaders are committed to effective water and environmental management. The current institutional situation stands in sharp contrast to the conditions which existed following the approval of the water resource policy in 1998. However, WREA will have to continue to promote and broaden senior level awareness and support for the NWRPS. This awareness and support will be promoted through (i) active involvement of the LNMC and RBCs to address priority issues in line with the direction set by the NWRPS, (ii) active monitoring, evaluation and reporting of progress under the NWRPS, and (iii) an ongoing awareness and participation program (National Water Resources Strategy, Program 9), directed in part to senior government officials. 72. Adequate Government funding and provision of staff may be the area of greatest risk in implementation of the NWRPS. Progress in this area is linked to the Government’s overall public sector policies and is outside the scope of this Project to comment on. Attention is being focused on the development of a more sustainable funding basis for IWRM activities, in line with Strategy Program 8. Studies in this area will hopefully lead to new Government financial practices which will support both river basin development (river basin funds) and IWRM activities in general. However, this may be a lengthy and challenging process. In the mean time, WREA should seek to use the Policy and Strategy as a basis strengthening its budget and staff resources. It should also seek to ensure effective management of the limited resources which it has. 73. Awareness and coordination between government agencies regarding overlapping policies and programs remains a challenge. This was confirmed during the Project’s consultation process. Progress was made in raising awareness with other agencies at the central and local levels regarding NWRPS. However comments were made many times that more should be done to clarify the role of those other agencies in implementing the Strategy. The line agencies and provinces acknowledged that the NWRPS is a sectoral policy. They demonstrated their interest and “ownership” through active participation in the policy and strategy development process. It should be recognized that the NWRPS is, in a sense, a framework policy. Further details on implementation roles and procedures should be worked out in consultation between WREA and other agencies. Coordination between agencies should focus on both the NWRPS and on other sectoral policies and strategies, under other line agencies, that impact water resource management. 74. The upgrading of the LNMC to be a “water sector apex body” as well as international water resource management body is a positive sign. However, attendance at the July 2010 meeting of the LNMC to discuss the NWRPS seems to indicate that more needs to be done to cultivate strong involvement by all affected
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 ministries in the LNMC.8 In general, areas such as watershed management, hydropower development and management and IWRM financing are among the outstanding areas needing greater two-way awareness and coordination. 75. Ongoing support of development partners will be critical for the successful implementation of the NWRPS. Significant progress has already been made in this area. The development of the NIWRMSP, including the important steps taken during Component 3 of this project, has helped to coordinate and confirm donor support for a program approach in IWRM implementation. The NWRPS are also expected to give an official, Government-led orientation to this initiative. WREA has recently established a Sub-Working Group on Water Resources and Disaster Management under the National Round Table which should help to strengthen cooperation with development partners. It will be important for WREA and all contributing partners to strive to coordinate their efforts, keeping the NWRPS in view as project details are developed. 76. Regarding WREA website maintenance, it is recommended that WREA departments should take a more formal approach. Each department should appoint an official “webmaster” to coordinate website work and ensure that the department’s pages are kept up to date. Other staff, some of whom have been trained in the project, should be assigned to prepare and regularly update the website. Each department should also have official procedures to identify and approve information which needs to be uploaded to the website. These steps to make the website maintenance a regular part and priority of department activities are necessary to ensure that the website development, training and equipment investment by the project is made sustainable.
8 See report of this meeting in Appendix D of this report.
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APPENDICES
Table of Contents
APPENDIX A NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES POLICY, STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, 2011 - 2015 ...... 25 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...... 26 CHAPTER 2 VISION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES...... 27 CHAPTER 3 POLICY STATEMENTS ...... 28 CHAPTER 4 IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES ...... 30 CHAPTER 5 NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES STRATEGY ...... 30 CHAPTER 6 ACTION PLAN FOR THE YEARS 2011 TO 2015 ...... 35 Appendix Definitions...... 38
APPENDIX B NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES STRATEGY - IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK...... 41
APPENDIX C PROJECT REPORTS ...... 55
APPENDIX D MEETING REPORTS...... 58
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Appendix A National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, 2011 - 2015
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National Water Resources Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, 2011 – 2015
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Water Resources Status and Issues in Lao PDR
Lao PDR, with an approximate population of 6 million and an area of 236,800 km2, occupies a central position in the Southeast Asian Region. More than 90 percent of the total area of the country is located in the Mekong basin, accounting for approximately 25 percent of the total area of Mekong river basin. The climate is tropical with two distinct seasons: the wet season during the south-west monsoon from June to November, and the dry season during the cool north-east monsoon from December to May. The country is generally rich in water resources. On a national basis average annual rainfall is over 1,900 mm or 462 km3. However, 80 percent of surface water availability occurs in rainy season, while only 20 percent is available in the dry season. About 35 percent of total Mekong runoff is contributed from the Lao territory. Little reliable information is available on groundwater in this country. Lao PDR has average surface water 332.5 km3 and is equivalent to more than 55,000 m3 annual per capita, the highest in Asia. However, little of the national available water supply is developed, equivalent to 2.8 percent of annual surface water. The water resources and topography of Lao PDR give it great potential for hydropower development, an important part of our national socio-economic development strategy. Water resources are also valuable for other economic sectors such as the irrigation, rural and urban water supply, fisheries, tourism, mining, industry, transportation and others. However, as continued development takes place in all of these areas, increasing scarcity and competition for water can be expected. Increasing impacts of development on water quality and on human health and the natural environment will also take place. Finally, floods and drought can have serious negative impacts and may, in fact, increase as climate change takes place. Therefore it is necessary to develop the roles and responsibilities, and raise the capacity, of agencies which are involved in water resource management. Appropriate plans and planning tools are needed to guide both public and private sector investment activities and to balance economic development with protection of the environment, eradication of poverty and other social development objectives. Government agencies, other organizations and the public need a greater awareness and deep understanding of the significance of water, priority areas in water management and the Government’s direction and decisions. Mechanisms are needed to coordinate activities and to resolve disputes on water use and other matters to maintain equity and sustainability.
1.2 Need for National Water Policy
Up to this time water resource management in Lao PDR has not matched the rapid growth of development across the country, despite the Government’s efforts to develop laws and regulations. Weaknesses and gaps exist in the understanding and application of an effective and integrated approach to water resource management. The purpose of this National Water Resources Policy is to guide participating Government agencies as well as investors in the water sector to carry out appropriate and well coordinated water management activities.
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The National Water Resources Policy reflects the Government’s direction and decision making for water resources management, ensuring equity in water access and sharing of water development and use benefits for society, contributing for poverty reduction, protection and restoration of the water environment and increased water security. The National Water Resources Policy will help to guide the updating of the Law on Water and Water Resources and other legislation. It will also help to guide water-related aspects of national socio-economic development planning and private sector investment management at the central and local levels. The National Water Resources Policy is the basis for elaborating strategies and action plans for five-year period. The first of these, a National Water Resources Strategy and Action Plan for the Years 2011 to 2015, has been prepared in parallel with this Policy.
CHAPTER 2 VISION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES
2.1 Vision
The vision of the National Water Resources Policy is coordinated, optimized and sustainable development and use of water resources, protection of the environment and improvement of social well being.
2.2 Mission
The water resource management mission of the Government is to: 1. Ensure sustainable development and management of water resources and minimize water environment and social impacts. 2. Manage and protect water sources and systematic, comprehensive planning for water resources development and use, balancing socioeconomic outcomes and water ecosystems. 3. Strengthen ownership and participation of stakeholders in management of water resources development and use through capacity building and use of local knowledge. 4. Prioritize water allocation for basic human needs, ensure equitable water allocation and share the benefits of water availability and development.
2.3 Objectives
The objectives of the National Water Resources Policy are to: 1. Define directions for development of a coordinating mechanism for effective and efficient water resources management and development 2. Ensure sustainable water resources use and development, protection of water sources, minimizing social and ecosystem impacts and development of a sustainable financial basis for water resource management. 3. Ensure equitable water sharing
2.4 Principles
The principles of water resource management which form the foundation of this Policy are:
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1. Water is valuable national asset. The Government has the central role to regulate the management, development, use and protection of water resources. 2. Water must be conserved for basic human needs and for protection of ecosystems. 3. Water rights are separated from land rights. Land owners do not always have the right to use or control water adjacent to their property. 4. Water has both an economic value and also social and environmental values. 5. Decision making on water resources management should be based on consultation and participation at the local level.
CHAPTER 3 POLICY STATEMENTS
1 Water resource management will take place under a unified and coordinated institutional structure at the central and local levels. 9 • A water sector apex body has been established as a senior advisory and coordinating body with the responsibility to consistently guide all agencies in the water sector on the management, development, conservation and use of water resources. 10 • A water resources management agency has been established with the responsibility to carry out management of water resources, environment, meteorology and hydrology activities throughout the country. • In selected river basins and sub-basins committees will be established to coordinate water resources planning and management and to advise Government on water resources management. 2 Water resource management will be carried out under a clear and complete set of official documents. • A body of policies, strategies, plans, laws, and guidelines will be prepared to guide and direct all agencies in the water sector. • On the basis of mutual benefit, Lao PDR cooperates with other countries on water resource management under official agreements. 3 Integrated water resource management plans will be prepared in priority river basins and sub-basins. • Water resource assessments and river classifications will be carried out to identify priority river basins and sub-basins, including groundwater aquifers. • Integrated water resource management plans may specify development and protection measures, protection of water sources, investment priorities, water allocation arrangements, flood and pollution control measures including waste water management, public awareness and community participation, monitoring and enforcement, agency roles and responsibilities and other subjects. • The secretariats of river basin committees will prepare integrated water resource management plans. 4 A coordinated and effective water resource data, information and analysis system will provide a basis for decision making. • A coordinated and efficient data and information management system will be developed for meteorology, hydrology (water quantity), water quality and groundwater decision making. Assessments will be made and plans will be prepared and implemented to improve data collection, validation and management as well as modeling and other decision support tools. Data disclosure and communication procedures will be developed and implemented.
9 Currently this is the Lao National Mekong Committee. 10 Currently this is the Water Resource and Environment Administration.
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• Responsibilities for data management will be clearly defined. Staff capacity will be increased in data collection, management, model application and interpretation of modeling results. 5 Water will be reserved for basic human needs and the environment with remaining water allocated for other purposes • An allocation of water for basic human needs and ecosystem protection will be reserved. Water which is in excess of the reserved amount will be allocated through a system of water permits. Water which is reserved for basic human needs and environmental purposes will be available for those uses with no requirement for water permits. • Water permits for major surface and groundwater uses will be issued at the central or local level under official delegation and guidelines. • Water permits will also be issued for operation of reservoir water discharge and may indicate minimum discharge, maximum rate of change of discharge and other factors. 6 Water quality will be protected to safeguard human health and water-related environmental values • Critical areas of concern for water quality management will be identified and plans will be prepared. • The quality of surface and groundwater will be protected through the use of ambient water quality standards, regulation and standards for waste water and pollution discharge, maintenance of river flows, and through environmental awareness programs and community participation. Pollution discharge permits will be coordinated with water use permits. • Clean water supply and proper sanitation will be promoted to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets 7 Coordinated programs will be undertaken to reduce the impacts of floods, drought and climate change. • Actions will be taken to reduce flood damage and loss through early warning of flood hazard, appropriate flood mitigation measures and faster and more effective recovery from floods. Drought impacts on all sectors will be studied and coordinated plans will be developed jointly by concerned agencies to reduce negative impacts. • A broad climate change strategy will guide mitigation and adaptation measures. Water resource management will be carried out in coordination with that strategy. Climate change will be taken into account in all aspects of water resources management. 8 The benefits from water resource development will be shared according to Government decisions and official procedures. • Studies will be carried out on water royalties from water resources use, benefit sharing and the establishment of a sustainable financial base for water resources management. 9 Central and local government agencies, communities and other stakeholders will be informed about, and participate in, water resource management activities. • Public awareness and participation by agencies, communities and other stakeholders will be increased. The role of women in water supply and other aspects of water resource management is recognized and will be promoted. Information distribution to, and consultation with, stakeholders will be part of the development of detailed policies and plans at both the central and local level. Direct participation in water resource management, pollution control and protection of water quantity and quality will be encouraged at the local level. Local knowledge of water resources will be promoted. • Capacity building needs will be assessed and plans will be implemented to enable concerned central and local agencies to carry out their water resource management
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responsibilities. Long-term capacity will be developed through support for water resource management curricula. • The contribution of agencies, communities, other stakeholders and individuals to the implementation of this policy will be encouraged, acknowledged and rewarded by the government and provincial authorities.
CHAPTER 4 IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES
The following major parties are assigned to implement the National Water Resource Policy in collaboration with other relevant ministries, agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Lao National Mekong Committee The Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC) acts as an advisory body to the Government to coordinate all internal and external related parties, including member and dialogue partner countries under the 1995 Mekong Agreement. The Department of Water Resources serves as the Secretariat of the LNMC.
Water Resource and Environment Administration The Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA) has been established within the Prime Minister’s Office and has a mandate for management of water resources, environment, meteorology and hydrology activities throughout the country.
River Basin Committees River Basin Committees (RBC) have been established as non-permanent organizations. They have a mandate to act as advisory bodies on water resource management in their respective river basins under the direction of the Lao National Mekong Committee (LNMC) for the management, development, conservation, rehabilitation and utilization of water resources in the river basin area.
CHAPTER 5 NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES STRATEGY
The following programs and activities will implement the National Water Resource Policy during the period of 2011 to 2015.
Program 1 Institutional Strengthening and Coordination
Activity 1.1 Support the Lao National Mekong Committee • Support the LNMC in its role as the water sector apex body and international water resource coordination body. Assist LNMC to prepare agendas, follow-up decisions, to identify and consider important water resource issues, oversee implementation of the National Water Resources Policy and the National Water Resource Strategy and Action Plan and report to Government. Build awareness of the LNMC role as the national water apex body within central line agencies. Develop LNMC strategic plan. Activity 1.2 Review and Update Government Organization Roles • Periodically review and make changes to organizational structure and roles in the water resource sector, including coordination and cooperation in areas of shared responsibility between ministries and agencies and between central and local levels. Activity 1.3 Strengthen WREA Water Resource Units and River Basin Institutional Arrangements for Water Resource Management
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• Strengthen WREA water resource units at the local level (provinces and districts) and clarify their water resource management roles, support local socio-economic development planning and private sector investment management regarding water resource management, develop and approve work plans, and plan and implement capacity building activities. • Establish river basin committees in priority river basins and sub-basins, support and strengthen river basin and sub-basin committees and their secretariats to coordinate river basin and sub-basin planning and prepare procedures and guidelines on basin water resource management issues, including coordination between local governments, and consultation with stakeholders. Activity 1.4 Strengthen Regional and International Coordination and Partnerships • Approve and participate in regional and international water management partnerships, agreements, treaties and forums. This will include activities under the 1995 Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. • Coordinate with international development organizations, promote coordinating assistance through an Integrated Water Resource Management Support Program. • Publicize Government policies and decisions.
Program 2 Legislation, Plans and Their Implementation
Activity 2.1 Update National Water Legislation • Review and update national water legislation, including i) preparation of a legislative “roadmap”, ii) review and drafting of a revised Water Resource Law, and iii) review and drafting of secondary legislation (including a general implementing decree and detailed decisions, regulations and guidelines on major water resource management topics). Activity 2.2 Incorporate Water Resource Topics in National and Local Plans • Ensure coordination between water resource agencies and national planning agencies regarding i) water resource planning, including the incorporation of key elements of the National Water Resource Policy and National Water Resource Strategy and river basin and sub-basin plans into central and local socio-economic development plans, and ii) water-related investment review, approval and monitoring, including concession agreements, environmental and social impact assessment, and water use permits. Activity 2.3 Develop Procedures and Guidelines on Water Resource Management Topics • Develop detailed procedures and action plans on important water-related topics such as river basin and sub-basin planning and plan implementation, water allocation and permits, flood, drought and disaster management, water quality and ecosystem management, identification and protection of ecologically sensitive areas, ground water management, data and information management, water resource modeling, and other topics.
Program 3 River Basin and Sub-Basin Water Resource Planning
Activity 3.1 Develop River Basin Planning Procedures and Priorities • Prepare procedures and guidelines on river basin and sub-basin planning and plan implementation. These procedures and guidelines will address such things as i) identification of priority river basins and formation of river basin and sub-basin committees, ii) planning procedures – data collection and analysis, coordination between levels of basin planning (including MRC Basin Development Plan) and consultation with stakeholders, iii) implementation of plans through such things as flood and drought
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management activities, investment project identification, protection of ecologically sensitive areas, water use and pollution discharge permitting, community and stakeholder awareness and participation, and incorporation of plan results into appropriate provincial and district plans, and iv) monitoring and reporting on river basin and sub-basin plan implementation. Activity 3.2 Carry out River Basin Planning, Implementation and Monitoring • Carry out river basin and sub-basin planning in five priority basins. River basin and sub- basin committees will normally be formed to oversee the preparation of terms of reference, consultation with affected stakeholders, approval of plans, and monitoring and reporting on plan implementation.
Program 4 Data Collection and Analysis
Activity 4.1 Strengthen Monitoring Capacity • Prepare country wide plans and procedures to strengthen the institutional, professional, and technical capacity for the implementation and ongoing operation of the national hydro-meteorological network, the water quality and aquatic ecology network, and the groundwater network. Modernization and standardization of these networks including data processing, management and dissemination, and the supporting technical and professional development will be a core focus of the plans and procedures. The goal is increased availability of timely and reliable water resources data and information for all river basins in Lao PDR. Prepare and implement data disclosure and communication procedures. Activity 4.2 Strengthen Water Resource Decision Support Capacity • Develop and implement a capacity strengthening plan for improving the water resources decision support capability within WREA and its line departments. The plan will include improvements to the forecasting, prediction, and issuing of warnings as well as the data analysis, modeling and information presentation abilities of WREA. An element of the plan will be the determination of a five year water research agenda in support of decision making for key water resources challenges. The goal is to improve the understanding of water resources in Lao PDR and to ensure water management decisions contribute to economic, environmental and social sustainability. Activity 4.3 Assess National Water Resources • Conduct a national water resource assessment to identify priority river basins and groundwater aquifers for planning and formation of river basin committees. Water resource assessment will take into account such things as existing water resource status, and possible future conditions under climate change scenarios, expected sectoral development plans, consultation with local governments on current and expected water resource management issues and conflicts. • River basin planning and identification of priority river basins will take into account both surface and groundwater and both water quantity and water quality.
Program 5 Water Allocation
Activity 5.1 Prepare Water Allocation Procedures and Guidelines • Prepare water allocation procedures which address the following topics: i) assessment of the need for reserved water to meet basic human and ecological needs(see Program 6, Activity 1 below), ii) determination of existing water use through survey and registration of water users, iii) development of a water permit system which will define the rights and responsibilities of existing and future major water users (including location, purpose, amount of diversion, timing, priorities under drought conditions and other aspects of water
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use) as well as the minimum flow discharge responsibilities of dams or major diversions, iv) water permit application and approval procedures, v) monitoring and enforcement of permits and negotiation and resolution of disputes, and vii) roles, responsibilities and capacity building needs at the central and local levels. Water permit procedures for both i) water diversion and ii) dam minimum flow will be coordinated with environmental and social impact assessment and plans and with concession agreements related to water resources. • The water allocation procedures will also define a plan for pilot testing the water permit system in selected locations. Guidelines will be developed to give detailed instructions to government agencies and to water users on the requirements of managing and complying with a water permit system. Activity 5.2 Implement Water Permits • Following approval of the procedures on water allocation, implement a water reservation and water permit system on a pilot basis in one selected river basin. Monitor results and lessons and make required changes. · Ensure that water allocation is addressed in the new water legislation and secondary legislation.
Program 6 Protection of Water Quality and Ecosystems
Activity 6.1 Assess Water Quality and Ecosystem Health Needs • Assess the status of water quality and ecosystem health (including requirements for environmental flows). Assess capacity building needs for water quality and ecosystem health management. Develop procedures and action plan. The procedures and action plan are expected to address such things as coordinated government and private sector monitoring of water quality, fish and other monitoring in priority locations, coordination of water and environmental standards, planning and enforcement (such as through concession agreements), and public awareness and community participation. Activity 6.2 Implement Water Quality and Ecosystem Health Procedures and Action Plan • Implement the approved procedures and action plan on water quality and ecosystem health. Monitor results and update the procedures and action plan.
Program 7 Management of Floods, Drought and Climate Change
Activity 7.1 Manage and Mitigate Flood Impacts • Develop and implement a reliable early warning flood reporting and dissemination service in support of the National Disaster Management Committee and river basin committees. Coupled with the improved system for the issuing of early warning, emphasize awareness and response actions at the community level. These response actions will require the development of flood management and mitigation procedures and action plan, including the real-time reporting of flood conditions. • Coordinate studies on standards and procedures to ensure the safety of dams and other water resource infrastructure. • Ensure coordination between agencies with flood-related responsibilities. Activity 7.2 Manage and Mitigate Drought Impacts • In cooperation with the National Disaster Management Committee and other concerned agencies, assess drought definition, risk and impacts. Assess existing policies and programs to mitigate drought impacts.
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• Incorporate drought management assessment and mitigation into appropriate river basin and sub-basin plans. Activity 7.3 Manage Water Resources to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change • Ensure coordination with the National Climate Change Strategy to identify and carry out priority activities in water resource management which will serve to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Climate change will be taken into account across all relevant water resource management programs and activities.
Program 8 Financial Aspects of Water Resource Management
Activity 8.1 Strengthen Financial Aspects of Water Resources Management • Carry out studies on water royalties, benefit sharing and establishment of a sustainable financial base for water resource management, river basin development and other purposes. Studies will also investigate the establishment of basin water funds to collect water royalties and polluter-pay fees and to use these funds for flood and pollution control, data collection and other water resource management priorities. Develop and implement official procedures to strengthen financial aspects of water resources management.
Program 9 Awareness, Participation and Capacity Building
Activity 9.1 Strengthen Public Awareness and Participation • Disseminate information on the National Water Resource Policy and National Water Resource Strategy and Action Plan, the revised national water law, implementing decree and other secondary legislation. • Disseminate information on river basin and sub-basin planning activities and plans. Promote consultation with concerned stakeholders and participation in water resource management by local communities and other water users. Promote awareness and participation in improving water use efficiency. Encourage the role of women in water resource management and promote gender-specific activities. • Disseminate information on water resources and their development and protection in cooperation with environmental education and other public awareness programs. Activity 9.2 Carry out Capacity Building for Concerned Agencies • Carry out capacity building needs assessment and prepare a capacity building plan for integrated water resource management, in support of implementation of the National Water Resources Policy and National Water Resources Strategy and Action Plan. The needs assessment and plan will be coordinated with the needs of all the agencies involved in their implementation. As much as possible, training activities will be coordinated across agencies and will be linked to job requirements, commitments to implement skills and knowledge, and other steps to maximize the value of training. The training plan will take into account “training-of-trainers” and provision of training to local government staff and other interested individuals (with support by central agencies). Implement agreed training activities. • Support the establishment and strengthening of an integrated water resource management program through the National University of Laos.
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CHAPTER 6 ACTION PLAN FOR THE YEARS 2011 TO 2015
Table 1 shows the Action Plan for implementation of the National Water Resources Strategy over the period of 2011 to 2015. This includes both the approximate dates during which each activity will take place and also the implementing agencies. In all cases implementation of the activities will involve cooperation and coordination between a number of agencies at both the central and local levels. More detailed plans and projects will be developed for each activity, including the specific steps which will be carried out, the financial and other resource requirements and sources of financing. It is important that coordination between the various programs and activities should be maximized in order to achieve the greatest positive impacts. In many cases, the success of individual programs and activities will depend on the implementation of other programs and activities. Overall coordination of the Action Plan will be the responsibility of WREA and LNMC. Arrangements for coordination are being put in place through a “program approach”. Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and periodic adjustments to the Action Plan will also be carried out under WREA and the LNMC. The National Water Resource Strategy and Action Plan provide the framework for this monitoring. All concerned agencies will be responsible to monitor and report on the implementation of the strategy and action plan according to official procedures. The National Water Resource Policy and National Water Resource Strategy and Action Plan will be reviewed and updated after five years, based on progress which has been achieved, new issues and needs, and lessons learned.
Table 1 Action Plan for the Period of 2011 to 2015
Program and Action Timeframe Implementing Agencies 1.Institutional Strengthening and Coordination 1.1 Support the Lao National 2011 - 2014 • LNMC Secretariat, Department of Mekong Committee Water Resources, line Agencies
1.2 Review and Update 2011 – 2012 • Department of Water Resources Government Organization and • Line Agencies Agency Roles 1.3 Strengthen WREA Water 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources, Resource Units and River Basin Water Resource and Environment Arrangements for Water Offices (WREOs) at provincial and Resource Management district level, River Basin Committee Secretariats (RBCS) 1.4 Strengthen Regional and 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources International Coordination and • Line agencies Partnerships 2. Legislation, Plans and Their Implementation 2.1 Update National Water 2011 – 2012 • Department of Water Resources Legislation • Line Agencies 2.2 Incorporate Water 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources, Resources Aspects in National WREOs at provincial and district
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Program and Action Timeframe Implementing Agencies and Local Plans level, RBCS 2.3 Develop Procedures and 2011 – 2014 • Department of Water Resources, Guidelines on Water Resource other WREA water-related Management Topics departments, line agencies , WREOs at provincial and district level 3. River Basin and Sub-Basin Water Resource Planning 3.1 Develop River Basin 2011 • Department of Water Resources Planning Procedures and • RBCS Priorities • WREOs at provincial and district level • Line agencies 3.2 Carry out River Basin 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources Planning, Implementation and • RBCS Monitoring • WREOs at provincial and district level 4. Data Collection and Analysis 4.1 Strengthen Monitoring 2011 – 2013 • Department of Meteorology and Capacity Hydrology • Water Resource and Environment Research Institute • RBCS 4.2 Strengthen Water Resource 2011 – 2012 • DWR Decision Support Capacity • RBCS • Water Resource and Environment Research Institute • Department of Meteorology and Hydrology 4.3 Assess National Water 2011 • Department of Meteorology and Resources Hydrology • Water Resource and Environment Research Institute • Line agencies 5. Water Allocation 5.1 Prepare Water Allocation 2011 • Department of Water Resources Procedures and Guidelines • Line agencies • WREOs at provincial and district level 5.2 Implement Water Permits 2012 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources • WREOs at provincial and district level • Line agencies • RBCS 6. Protection of Water Quality and Ecosystem Health
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Program and Action Timeframe Implementing Agencies 6.1 Assess Water Quality and 2011 • DWR Ecosystems • Department of Environment • Line agencies • Water Resources and Environment Research Institute • WREOs at provincial and district level 6.2 Implement Water Quality 2012 – 2015 • DWR and Ecosystem Health • Department of Environment Procedures and Action Plan • Line agencies • Water Resources and Environment Research Institute • WREOs at provincial and district level 7. Management of Floods, Drought and Climate Change 7.1 Manage and Mitigate Flood 2011 – 2013 • DWR Impacts • Department of Meteorology and Hydrology • Water Resources and Environment Research Institute • RBCS 7.3 Manage Water Resources 2011 – 2015 • Department of Environment to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate • Department of Water Resources Change • Line agencies • Water Resources and Environment Research Institute ; RBCS 8. Financial Aspects of Water Resource Management 8.1 Strengthen Financial 2011 • Department of Water Resources Aspects of Water Resource • Line agencies Management • RBCS 9. Awareness, Participation and Capacity Building 9.1 Strengthen Public 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources Awareness and Participation • Line agencies • WREOs at provincial and district level; RBCS 9.2 Carry out Capacity Building 2011 – 2015 • Department of Water Resources for Concerned Agencies • NUOL
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Appendix Definitions
Allocation The action or process of allocating or distributing something. Water allocation means deciding on the distribution or share of water by various users or uses. Basic human Water which is required for living, including drinking, hygiene, other need domestic purposes and small scale agricultural purposes. Benefit sharing Sharing or redistribution of money or other benefits from natural resource development projects. There are many possible methods and purposes for such redistribution. Economic, The economic value of water relates to its scarcity, the need to avoid environmental wasting water, and therefore the need to allocate it to higher value uses. and social value The environmental and social values of water relate to the fact that water of water is indispensable for human and environmental purposes and a minimum supply of water should be guaranteed for these purposes. Ecosystem The combined physical and biological components of an environment. Fresh water ecosystems are located in and around water bodies such as lakes, rivers, stream and wetlands and they include the organisms which live in them. Integrated water A process which promotes the coordinated development and resource management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize management the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without (IWRM) compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems (from Global Water Partnership) Management The process of dealing with or controlling things and people. Water resource management includes various functions such as planning, development, conservation, protection, rehabilitation and utilization of water resources. Participation Being included in or taking part in something. Regarding water resource management, participation means being included in making decisions and implementing activities. Participation usually includes more than providing information (awareness) or exchange of views (consultation) Policy A course of action or principle adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. A statement of what the Government intends to do or the tools it intends to use. Reserved water Water required for basic human needs and ecosystem protection. River basin / The area from which surface water flows to a single point, such as the sub-basin mouth of a river. Sub-basins are smaller hydrological units within larger basins. Strategy A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim. A systematic and often long-term plan for how the Government (or other decision making body) intends to achieve a policy. Sustainable Able to be maintained or used at a certain rate or level without being significantly depleted. Sustainable management of natural resources means using them in a way that does not cause serious harm to the environment or serious loss of social or economic benefits over time. Water resources In this Policy “water resources” means the same as “water”. Water resources include precipitation, surface and groundwater and also water quantity and quality.
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Water sector A sector is a distinct part or branch of a nation's economy or society or of a sphere of activity. The water sector consists of all parts of the economy and society which are directly involved in the management and use of water. Water source The land, vegetation and small tributaries which contribute water to larger water bodies. These areas may also be referred to as watersheds.
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Appendix B National Water Resources Strategy - Implementation and Monitoring Framework
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National Water Resources Strategy - Implementation and Monitoring Framework
Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs Program 1: Institutional Strengthening and Coordination Activity 1.1 Support the Lao National Mekong Committee 2011 - LNMC regular meetings, agendas and minutes LNMC, DWR - Implementation of National Water Resources Strategy reported to LNMC WREA Cabinet Office (monitoring of - Publicize LNMC role and activities Strategy implementation), other WREA - Prepare LNMC strategic plan departments and other line agencies 2012 - LNMC regular meetings, agendas and minutes As above - LNMC Strategic Plan agreed and publicized - Implementation of National Water Resources Strategy reported to LNMC - Publicize LNMC role and activities - LNMC strategic plan approved and implementation started 2013 - LNMC regular meetings, agendas and minutes As above - Implementation of National Water Resources Strategy reported to LNMC - Publicize LNMC role and activities - Continue implementation of LNMC plan 2014 - LNMC regular meetings, agendas and minutes As above - Implementation of National Water Resources Strategy reported to LNMC - Publicize LNMC role and activities - Continue implementation of LNMC plan 2015 - LNMC regular meetings, agendas and minutes As above - National Water Resources Policy and Strategy revised - Publicize LNMC role and activities - Continue implementation of LNMC plan Activity 1.2 Review and Update Government Organization and Agency Roles
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2011 2012 - Report on roles and mandates at national, provincial and district levels DWR SP1 (including coordination with other agencies in areas of shared responsibility) PACSA, other central and local agencies - Recommend updated roles if necessary after approval of water law 2013 2014 - Recommend updated organizational structure and roles in readiness for next DWR SP1 NSEDP WREA Cabinet Office, other WREA departments, other agencies, PACSA 2015 Activity 1.3 Strengthen WREA Water Resource Units and River Basin Arrangements for Water Resource Management 2011 - Strengthen programs, staffing (see Activity 9.2), financial basis (see Activity DWR SP1 SC2-5; SC 3-1-1 8.1) in local WREA offices and RBCs DMH WERI, Cabinet Office, RBCs - Prepare capacity building plan to enable WREA departments and other central and local agencies to carry out their roles in implementing the National Water SP1
Resource Strategy (see Activity 9.2)
- Capacity building materials developed for WREA water units and RBC
capacity building WB- - 2 capacity building projects pilot tested and reported on SP2 - RBCs and Secretariats established in 2 river basins NTNK 2012 - 2 capacity building projects conducted, evaluated and reported As above SP1 SC3-1-1 WB- - RBCs and Secretariats established in a total of 3 river basins SP2 - Groundwater team established and trained NTNK SP3 2013 - 2 capacity building projects conducted, evaluated and reported As above SP1 - Staff in pilot Provinces trained in Groundwater management SP3 2014 - 2 capacity building projects conducted, evaluated and reported As above SP1 2015 - 2 capacity building projects conducted, evaluated and reported As above SP1 SC3-1-1 WB- - RBCs established in a total of 5 river basins (2 RBCs unfunded) NTNK
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs Program 2: Legislation, Plans and Their Implementation Activity 2.1 Update National Water Legislation 2011 - Agreed Roadmap for legislative change DWR SP1 SC2-1 - Water law legal review and analysis conducted Ministry of Justice, WREA Departments, NLMA, MAF, MEM, MPWT, provinces, districts 2012 - Draft revised water law prepared, consulted and submitted to National As above SP1 SC2-1 Assembly - Draft implementing decrees and mandates prepared, consulted and submitted - Water law implementation plan agreed by LNMC 2013 - Awareness raising and training activities conducted in 4 key locations after DWR SC2-1 passage of water law - Agency roles and National Water Resource Strategy reviewed in light of approved water law; adjusted implementation underway 2014 - Awareness raising and training conducted in all provinces DWR - - Continue implementation of National Water Resource Strategy (adjusted to meet water law requirements as necessary) 2015 - Continue implementation of National Water Resource Strategy (adjusted to DWR meet water law requirements as necessary) Activity 2.2 Incorporate Water Resources Aspects in National and Local Plans 2011 - MPI informed of NWR Policy and Strategy. DWR National - 5 year and annual plans of WREA and other central and provincial agencies MPI, WREA departments, WREA Socioeconomic adapted to include National Water Resource Policy and Strategy, water law and provincial and district offices, other line Development other approved policies and plans agencies Plans, Regulations and 2012 - Approved policies, guidelines notified and being implemented at national, As above plans for private provincial and district levels sector investments, 2013 - Approved policies, guidelines notified and being implemented at national, As above concession provincial and district levels
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2014 - River Basin and other Plans included in the 2016-20 NSEDP As above agreements - Approved policies, guidelines notified and being implemented at national, provincial and district levels 2015 - Approved policies, guidelines notified and being implemented at national, As above provincial and district levels Activity 2.3 Develop Procedures and Guidelines on Water Resource Management Topics 2011 - Policy discussion papers and guidelines prepared on 1) Water Allocation and DWR SP1 SC2-1 Permitting and 2) Funding of Water Resources Management WREA departments, other relevant SP2 - Draft guidelines on river basin and sub-basin planning and management ministries, provinces prepared 2012 - Policy papers prepared, agreed and included in water law As above SP1 SC2-1 2013 - National Framework Plan for Groundwater Management WERI SP3 - Policies, procedures and action plans on other important water-related topics DWR, WREA departments, other relevant SP1 prepared ministries, provinces 2014 - Policies, procedures and action plans on other important water related topics As above SP1 prepared 2015 As above As above SP1 Activity 2.4 Strengthen Regional and International Coordination and Partnerships 2011 SP1 MRC strategies - Donor support to IWRM Program coordinated to address government priorities• DWR, LNMC - Donor IWRM and Disaster Risk Management Sub-Working Group meets twice and programs each year • WREA Cabinet Office, MOFA, MOJ, MPI, GMS strategies - Position papers prepared to support government at regional and international MOF, MRC and programs meetings including MRC Other regional - Government actively participates in international and regional water related and forums. Government policies, achievements and needs are promoted international cooperation 2012 As above As above SP1 2013 As above As above SP1
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2014 As above As above SP1 2015 As above As above SP1 Program 3: River Basin and Sub-Basin Water Resource Planning Activity 3.1 Develop River Basin Planning Procedures and Priorities 2011 - Framework, procedures and guidelines for RB planning agreed DWR SP2 Watershed - National delineation and categorization of river basins agreed DMH, WERI, MAF, MEM, NLMA strategies, programs and 2012 plans (MAF, NLMA) 2013 - Framework, procedures and guidelines for RB planning updated and agreed DWR SP2 Hydropower following approval of Water Law DMH, WERI, MAF, MEM and mining 2014 strategies, programs and 2015 plans (MEM) Socioeconomic development plans at local level Disaster management and climate change strategies and plans (NDMC, WREA DOE) BDP and other programs (MRC) Activity 3.2 Assess National Water Resources 2011
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2012 - National water resources assessment planned and underway (for identification DMH, WERI, DOE SP2
of priority river basins and sub-basins, groundwater management needs, DWR, other line agencies, provinces pollution control, disaster risk, etc)
2013 - Complete national water resource assessment 2014 2015 - Water resources inventory and priority river basins updated DMH, WERI SP2 - Groundwater assessed for selected basins, management plan for major DWR, DOE, line agencies, provinces aquifers SP3 Activity 3.3 Carry out River Basin Planning, Implementation and Monitoring 2011 - RB activity underway in 5 major river basin plans DWR SP2 (Nam SC3-1- WB (NT- As for Activity - 1 RB plan agreed and published and implementation commenced and WERI, DMH, MAF, MEM, MPWT, NLMA, Ngum) 1/3 (SBF, NK) 3.1 above reported on provinces, districts SBH) PEMSEA - Sub-basin activity underway and reported in 5 sub-basins (Sedon) 2012 2013 - 3 RB plans agreed and published and implementation commenced and DWR reported on WERI, DMH, MAF, MEM, MPWT, NLMA, - Sub-basin plans agreed and published for 3 sub-basins and implementation provinces, districts commenced and reported on 2014 2015 - 5 major River basins with approved IWRM plans published and DWR SP2 SC3-1- implementation commenced and reported on WERI, DMH, MAF, MEM, MPWT, NLMA, 1/3 provinces, districts Program 4: Data Collection and Analysis Activity 4.1 Strengthen Monitoring Capacity 2011 - Design and implementation plans for Hydro- Meteorology Information System DMH SC2-4 WB IKMP, flood HPTMA management, 2012 - Report on improved arrangements for groundwater monitoring WERI, MPH SP3 environment
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2012 - National Water Quality Monitoring Plan (NWQMP) prepared and submitted to SP3 and other LNMC (Activity 6.1) DE, DWR, WERI, MAF, MEM, MPWT, Finland programs - Data sharing policy and procedures including stakeholder access agreed and MPH EMSP (MRC) national data warehousing and sharing plan developed DMH, WERI, NGS, MAF, MPH, MEM 2013 - Hydro-meteorology information system, flood and drought warning systems DMH SC2-4 operational in 2 priority river basins 2014 2015 - Hydro- meteorology information system, flood and drought warning systems DMH operational in all major river basins WERI, NGS, MAF, MPH, MEM - National data warehouse and sharing system operational Activity 4.2 Strengthen Water Resource Decision Support Capacity 2011 - Capacity building activities for modeling initiated and reported on WERI SC2-3 MRC IKMP (MRC) - Prepare and implement a five year water research strategy 2012 - Hydrological models used for river basin planning and flood and drought DWR SC3-2 management for 2 river basins DMH, WERI 2013 2014 - Hydrological models used for river basin planning and flood and drought DWR SC2-3 management for 5 river basins DMH, WERI 2015
Program 5 Water Allocation Activity 5.1 Prepare Water Allocation Procedures and Guidelines 2011 - Draft procedures and implementation plans system for water allocation DWR, Provinces, RBCs SP1 arrangements prepared WERI, DMH, MEM, MAF, MPWT 2012 - Pilot test underway As above SP1 2013 - Pilot test underway and arrangements updated following agreement of Water As above SP1
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs Law 2014 - Pilot test underway As above SP1 2015 - Procedures and plans updated based on pilot test As above SP1 Activity 5.2 Implement Water Permits 2011 2012 - Registers of water uses prepared and quality assured in 2 priority river basins RBCs, Provinces, DWR SP2 SC3-1-1 NT-NK 2013 - Trial water allocation process introduced in 2 priority river basins after As above As above As above agreement of Water Law 2014 2015 - Water allocation process introduced in additional priority river basins based on As above SP2 SC3-1-1 updated guidelines and approach NT-NK
Program 6 Protection of Water Quality and Ecosystem Health Activity 6.1 Assess Water Quality and Ecosystems 2011 - National Water Quality laboratory constructed WERI SC2-2 Finland Environment - Initial laboratory equipment purchased EMSP program (MRC) 2012 - National Water Quality laboratory fully operational WERI SC2-2 Finland
- Staff trained in laboratory procedures EMSP - National Water Quality Monitoring Plan (NWQMP) prepared and submitted to
LNMC (Activity 4.1) DE, DWR, WERI, DMH MAF, MEM, - Procedures and trial plan prepared for aquatic and ecosystem health and MPWT, MPH environmental flow case studies SC2-2 WERI, DOE, DWR, DESIA 2013 2014 - Water quality laboratory accredited WERI Finland EMSP 2015 Finland
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs EMSP Activity 6.2 Implement Water Quality and Ecosystem Health Procedures and Action Plan 2011 Environment program (MRC) 2012 2013 - NWQMP under implementation Finland EMSP 2014 - National Policy on Environmental Flows and Aquatic Ecosystem Health WERI, DOE, DWR SC2-2 Monitoring Reports Finland - First water quality monitoring report EMSP 2015 - Policy and standards for aquatic and ecosystem health and environmental WERI, DOE, DWR SC2-2 flows. Monitoring of aquatic and ecosystem health as appropriate
Program 7 Management of Water Resource Risk Activity 7.1 Manage and Mitigate Flood Impacts 2011 - Flood and drought warning and early warning awareness plan prepared DMH SC2-4 Disaster - Flood management included as a specific component of RB planning management guidelines (Activity 3.1) DWR, DMH policies and plans (NDMC) 2012 Flood management 2013 - Flood and drought warning systems operational in 2 priority river basins DMH SC2-4 Japan program (MRC) - National Flood Disaster Information Dissemination Centre operational 2014 2015 Activity 7.2 Manage and Mitigate Drought Impacts 2011 - Drought management included as a specific component of RB planning DWR SP2 Disaster guidelines (Activity 3.1) DMH management
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2012 policies and plans (NDMC) 2013 - National Drought Management Plan prepared and presented to LNMC DWR SP1 DMH, MAF, MEM 2014 - Upgraded drought warning system operational in 2 river basins DMH SC2-4 2015 - National Drought Disaster Information Dissemination Centre Operational DMH SC2-4 Japan Activity 7.3 Manage Water Resources to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change 2011 - Strengthening climate change adaptation through IWRM adopted by LNMC as DWR SP1 ADB CC National a key management objective DOE Climate Change Adaptation 2012 - Assessment of the impacts, costs and benefits of CC mitigation approaches DWR SP1 ADB CC Strategy - Report on full assessment of risks (impact, likelihood) of water and climate MEM, MAF, MPWT, MLSW TA change related and disasters including flood, drought, dam safety (hydro, tailings, irrigation), forest fires, hazardous chemical releases, etc 2013 - Plan for (water related) disaster risk management prepared including required As above SP1 ADB CC safeguard and mitigation measures presented to NDC and LNMC TA - CC mitigation options included in RB Plans 2014 - Plan under implementation As above 2015
Program 8 Financial Aspects of Water Resource Management Activity 8.1 Strengthen Financial Aspects of Water Resource Management 2011 - Prepare policy paper on water resource royalties, benefit sharing and DWR, MEM, MAF, MOF SP1 establishment of sustainable funding for water resource management, river basin development and other purposes. 2012 - Present policy paper and supporting decrees to LNMC and introduce into DWR SP1 SC2-1 Water Law (Activity 2.1) 2013 - Implement royalties approach and include in relevant concession agreements DWR, MEM, MAF, MOF
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2014 2015
Program 9 Awareness, Participation and Capacity Building Activity 9.1 Strengthen Public Awareness and Participation 2011 - Disseminate information on the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy DWR SP1 - Awareness raising plan and materials (incl. travelling exhibition) developed, including gender, social impact and participation issues - 2 awareness raising activities conducted - Consultation events held annually with civil society and impacted communities on MRC development plans 2012 - 4 awareness raising activities/events conducted DWR SP1 2013 - 4 awareness raising activities/events conducted As above SP1 - Disseminate information on water legislation and decrees 2014 - 4 awareness raising activities/events conducted As above SP1 2015 - 4 awareness raising activities/events conducted As above SP1 Activity 9.2 Carry out Capacity Building for Concerned Agencies 2011 - Carry out capacity building needs assessment and prepare an Agencies DWR, WREA departments, other central SP4 capacity building plan for IWRM and provincial agencies - NUOL IWRM stage 2 plan developed NUOL, DWR - IRM curricula materials developed
- IWRM Training Materials and training plan published in hard and soft copies in Lao and English languages as needed - 40 agency (central, provincial and district) staff trained in IWRM and related topics 2012 - 40 agency (central, provincial and district) staff trained in IWRM and related As above SP4 topics - University students being trained in IWRM
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Programs, Expected Outputs, Measureable Indicators Leading Agency Donor Support Activities Related Activities, (Supporting Agencies) ADB CDTA WB Other Strategies Years IWRMSP MIWRM Donor and Programs 2013 As above As above SP4 2014 As above As above SP4 2015 - NUOL graduates 10 IWRM BSc./year As above SP4 - 40 agency (central, provincial and district) staff trained in IWRM and related topics
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Appendix C Project Reports
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Project Reports
Report Titles and Submission Dates
Phase 1 Reports
• Inception Report, March 2009 • Water Resource Policy Framework, July 2009 • WREA Website Implementation Report, December 2009
Mid-Term Report and Accompanying Documents (March 2010)
• Mid-Term Report, Volume 1, Main Report • Mid-Term Report, Volume 2, Assessment of Water Data and Analysis Systems • Mid-Term Report, Volume 3, Draft National Water Resources Policy and Draft National Water Resources Strategy and Action Plan for the Years 2011 – 2015 • Mid-Term Report, Volume 4, Water Policy and Website Consultation Report • KRA 1: Effective National Coordination and Awareness Raising • KRA 2: National Water Resource Policy and Legislative Strengthening • KRA 3: River Basin and Sub-Basin Planning • KRA 4: Watershed Management • KRA 5: Data Collection and Management • KRA 6: Assessment of Basic Human and River Health Needs • KRA 7: Water Resource System Analysis and Modeling • Linkage between Regional MRC Activities and Lao PDR National Water Resource Planning and Management • Developing a National Capability in Hydrological Modeling • Contribution to the 7th National Socioeconomic Development Plan for Lao PDR
Phase 2 Reports
• WREA Website Operation Report, June 2010 • National Water Resources Policy and Strategy – Report on Consultation Workshops, June 2010 • National Water Resources Strategy – Implementation and Monitoring, July 2010 • National Water Resources Strategy Implementation and Monitoring, Completion Report, September 2010
Monthly progress reports have been submitted throughout the Project. A compact disc (CD) containing all project reports was distributed to WREA participants and Advisory Committee and Policy Working Group members at a wrap up workshop on 1 October 2010.
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Appendix D Meeting Reports
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Meeting Reports
Phase 1 Meetings
Details of the following meetings in 2009 were reported in Mid-Term Report, Volume 4, Water Policy and Website Consultation Report, March 2010
• Inception Workshop, 15 January • Water Policy Working Group Meeting, 13 February • Water Policy Working Group Meeting, 27 February • Webmaster’s Working Group Meeting, 10 March • Water Policy Working Group Meeting, 30 March • Water Policy Advisory Group Meeting, 28 & 29 April • Working Group Meeting for Development of WREA Website, 15 May • Provincial Meetings: Pakxan, Muang Xai, Pakxe, June • Working Group Meeting for Stakeholder Analysis, 24 July • Water Policy Working Group Meeting for Water Data and Modeling Strategies, 26 July • Key Results Area Workshops, September
Phase 2 Meetings, March to June 2010
Details of the following consultation workshops in 2010 on the NWRPS were reported in the National Water Resources Policy and Strategy – Report on Consultation Workshops, June 2010
• WREA Workshop, 9 March • Water Policy Advisory Committee Workshop, 18 March • Provincial Consultation Workshops: Luang Prabang (26 March), Khammouane Province (5 April), Sekong Province (9 April) • University Workshop, 25 May th • IUCN: 5 National Water Dialogue Working Meeting on Policy Advocacy, 11 June • National Workshop, 14 June
Meeting of the Lao National Mekong Committee, 23 July 2010
A meeting of the LNMC was held on 23 July to receive and discuss the draft NWRPS and reports on (i) implementation of the Prime Minister’s decree on the establishment of river basin committees and (ii) progress on international cooperation in the water resources sector. The meeting was attended by 34 people, including • Mr. Axang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister • Mme Khempheng Pholsena, Minister, Head of WREA
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• 1 Vice Minister representing the Ministry of Energy and Mines and 1 Vice Minister representing the Ministry of Planning and Investment • 1 Secretary of the Deputy Prime Minister • 2 Directors General representing the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and the Department of Planning, Ministry of Planning and Investment • 2 Deputy Directors General representing the International Organization Department and the Department of Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs • 1 Deputy Division Head representing the Department of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mines • Chief and Deputy DG, Cabinet Office, WREA • Director General, Department of Environment, WREA • 18 senior staff of WREA (DGs, DDGs, Acting DGs, Division Heads, Division Deputy Heads representing DWR, DMH and WERI) • 1 Technical Staff of DWR • 2 domestic team members of TA 7013
Following an opening statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, a presentation was made on the NWRPS development process by Minister Khempheng Pholsena. A second presentation on the details of the NWRPS was made by Mr. Phonechaleun Nonthaxay. Discussion of the Policy and Strategy followed. The following are main comments and conclusions: • The general context of the documents should reflect the integration of different agencies in the water sector. The documents should be owned by all agencies in the Lao water sector, not by a single agency such as WREA. • The mobilization measures for better water resources management and water use efficiency has to be clearly addressed in the policy context. Monitoring and enforcement will be addressed in related laws and regulations. • Wastewater management and sanitation issues should be elaborated in more detail since they are part of general water resource management and are an important part of the MDGs. • The documents should mention international cooperation and internal management of sand and gravel extraction, bank erosion and sedimentation. • The documents should also show a clear linkage to the MRC framework. • The meeting agreed with the priority for water allocation to basic human needs and environmental purposes. Provisions for coping with water scarcity should be included in the Policy. An awareness program on this topic should be included in the Strategy. • Water royalties should be studied in detail, along with existing regulations on sectoral funding. A decree on the proposed water fund should be developed, addressing needs such as river rehabilitation and flood and drought risk management. The meeting also indicated that WREA should update and finalize the NWRPS documents in order to circulate them to appropriate agencies and the Government Secretariat, prior to submission to the Government meeting in late August 2010.
Meeting of the Round Table Sub-Working Group on Water Resources and Disaster Management, 17 August 2010
A meeting of the new Round Table Sub-Working Group on Water Resources and Disaster Management was held on 17 August, chaired by Mme Khempheng Pholsena, Minister and Head of WREA, and by Mr. Chong Chinai, Country Director, ADB Lao Resident Mission. The
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Updating the National Water Resources Policy & Strategy, TA 7013-LAO Final Report, October 2010 meeting was attended by more than 90 participants, including representatives of almost 30 international development organizations, embassies and other international guests. Mr. Phonechaleun Nonthaxay, DG of DWR, presented the NWRPS to meeting participants. Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Deputy DG of DWR made a presentation on the river basin initiative and the formation of river basin committees and Ms Chongchith Chantharanonh, Assistant DG of DWR presented information on the WREA IWRM Support Program. Comments from meeting participants regarding the draft NWRPS included the following: • Inter-ministry coordination is important for sustainable water supply and sanitation. This coordination needs to be emphasized in the NWRPS. • The role of agencies such as MAF in watershed management, water sources and climate change should be clarified. • The NWRPS should be clearly linked to the Government’s 5 year planning process. (The MPI responded that the NWRPS will be useful for including sustainable development in the national planning process and for involving other government agencies and development partners. The results will be included in the 5 year planning process.) • The NWRPS needs to be clearer with respect to transboundary impacts and their link to river basin management. • Benefit sharing is important. However other government policies contain statements similar to those in the NWRPS and these have proven difficult to implement. How can this be addressed in practice? WREA responded by mentioning a number of ways in which other agencies have been and are being involved in the NWRPS process and water resource management activities. The key function of river basin planning and the role of multiple agencies in that process was mentioned. A Hydropower and Mining Forum is being established in the Nam Ngum basin.
WREA Workshop on National Water Resources Strategy Implementation and Monitoring, 1 October 2010
A final Project workshop was held on 1 October 2010, focusing on the implementation and monitoring of the NWRPS. The workshop was chaired by the Director General, DWR and attended by 46 people, representing WREA and the inter-ministry Advisory Committee and Policy Working Group. Specifically, participants were from the following agencies: • WREA – DWR, DMH, WERI, ESIA and Nam Ngum and Nam Theun / Kading RBCs • MAF – Irrigation, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries and Planning • MoPH – Environment Health and Rural Water Supply • MEM – Electricity, Mining, Energy Promotion • NLMA – Land Policy, and Planning • MPWT – WASA, River Transportation • MIC – Industry • National Tourism Authority – Planning • MPI – Planning The agenda of the workshop included opening remarks by the DG of DWR, a presentation on water resources and related management issues in Lao PDR by DWR, comments on the NWRPS and presentation and discussion of the draft Strategy Implementation and Monitoring Framework by the Project Team Leader, discussion and comments by many participants, and closing comments by the DG of DWR. A Project wrap-up lunch was held following the workshop. The workshop was well received by participants and indicated a step toward more widespread understanding of the NWRPS and how it will be implemented and monitored.
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The inter-ministry and central / local nature of this implementation is particularly important in light of the nature of the Policy and Strategy as Government (rather than WREA) documents and the comments frequently made throughout the preparation and consultation processes regarding the need for strong, multi-agency involvement in the implementation phase.
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