3rd. Southeast Asia Water Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
UCC-Water served as convener of three sessions at the 3rd. Southeast Asia Water Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 22-26, 2007. One session presented national IWRM status and future implementation plans for 8 countries in the region. Another session considered regional initiatives on IWRM and a third addressed the issue of linking river and coastal water management.
The Forum provided input to the 3rd. Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Managing Water Resources. The Ministers discussed the growing importance of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in Southeast Asia with the view of forwarding and discussing the results of the meeting at the First Asia Pacific Water Summit (APWS).
It was concluded that water issues need to receive more attention in national economic and social development policy and planning. The multiple development assets of water assets should be considered via ecosystem approaches. Also, water management in relation to energy and climate change is emerging as a political priority with important links to water management. South-south cooperation networks and partnerships should be strengthened to ensure stability and sustained impacts of the ongoing regional networks and partnerships.
More info on http://3rdseawf.water.gov.my/index.cfm