FAO.org

Last Wednesday 22 May, around 120 participants discussed legal, institutional and policy pathways for strengthening water governance in the face of contemporary challenges at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. The session was co-organized by the International Association for Water Law, the South Africa Water Research Commission, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.

The presentations included:

• Cooperation in Water Law and Institutions: Overview of Status and Challenges –Susanne Schmeier, AIDA / IHE Delft
• Towards climate change resilient water agreements - Tadesse Kebebew, Geneva Water Hub
• Water allocation in transboundary basins - Remy Kinna, Legal Officer, Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
• Barriers to Groundwater Governance in Agriculture: a case from Tunisia - Sophie Bhalla, Water Youth Network, University of Guelph
• An introduction to AQUALEX - Rudolph Hupperts, FAO
• Global Dialogue on Water Tenure – a novel perspective to address water governance challenges - Benjamin Kiersch, FAO

In the lively discussion, participants raised the following conclusions and recommendations:

• The human right to water and sanitation should be considered in agreements and policies on water sharing.
• Climate change needs to be recognized in national policies on water allocation and transboundary agreements on water sharing. Agreements need to be flexible to respond to climate change and evolving needs, while rotecting the legitimate rights of water users.
• Transboundary water sharing needs to move beyond the water allocation ‘quantity issue’ to long term planning, intersectoral approaches, and the benefits that can be derived from improved water management.
• Indigenous water rights need to be adequately reflected in global discussions on water tenure, as well as customary and cultural practices.
• Access to information and data sharing are important ingredients of good governance.
• Build trust between government and its citizens. We can’t bring about change through legislation if there is no trust between government and citizens. Inclusion and participation are key in this process.
• Representation is important. All stakeholders should be adequately represented in institutions which govern allocation of water.
• We should aim for less and clearer rules.

Read more about FAO's participation to the World Water Forum >>>