Su mmary of the 1st Asia -Netherlands Water … mmary of the 1st Asia-Netherlands Water Learning Week Making Smart Choices for Water Security and Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands

Making Smart Choices for

Water Security and

Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands

Summary of the 1st Asia-Netherlands

Water Learning Week


Water Security and


Smart Choices for Water Security

and Green Growth

More than 30 water leaders from Asia visited the Netherlands from 22 to 26 October for the 1st Asia-

Netherlands Water Learning Week convened by UNESCO-IHE and the Asian Development Bank. The

group included several ministers, heads of agencies, as well as knowledge leaders from centers of

excellence.

Through a program of facilitated dialogues, the water leaders from Asia exchanged knowledge and

experience about smart choices with their counterparts in the Netherlands and explored further

innovation for water security and green growth.

They also engaged with more than 250 future water leaders from 70 countries around the world at

the start of the 2012-2014 MSc program at UNESCO-IHE.

Leveraging green infrastructure, building and financing public-private partnerships for infrastructure,

adapting delta cities to climate change, and modernizing water legislation were among the topics

attracting wide interest.

A large number of partners in the Netherlands supported the learning week, including 3 ministries,

the city of Rotterdam, the province of Zeeland, and the Netherlands Water Partnership. The initiative

forms part of the knowledge partnership between UNESCO-IHE and the Asian Development Bank

signed in November 2011, supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During their visit to the Netherlands, the water leaders from Asia initiated several follow-up activities

for capacity development and innovation, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Viet

Nam. These will be further developed through the knowledge partnership.

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UNESCO-IHE and ADB signed a partnership agreement in November 2011 to support water

operations in ADB’s Developing Member Countries (DMCs) by providing expert guidance during

project preparation and implementation, and on developing and implementing Education, Training

and Capacity, Development, to support Knowledge Networking programs and to strengthen regional

Knowledge Networking among (DMC) clients, partners, and Knowledge Hubs. The 1st Asia-

Netherlands Water Learning Week marks the beginning in enhancing this network.


Water Security and


Smart Choices Monday 22 October

Programme

Traversing history, present, and future hosted by UNESCO-IHE Learning Week objectives- Wouter Lincklaen Arriëns (ADB) The Netherlands and Water from an historic perspective- Jan Luijendijk (UNESCO-IHE) Smart Choices: water governance in the Netherlands- Bart Teeuwen (Institutional and legal expert water resources) Water and Green Growth in Korea- Tae-Sun Shin (K-water - Water and Green Growth Research) Leveraging green infrastructure for security hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Dutch National Policy - Renske Peters (Director Water of Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment) Delta Program - Bart Parmet (secretary Delta Commission) Water Rescources Development in Indonesia - Donny Azdan (Nat. Planning Agency) Greening Infrastructure Policies: Room for the River - Ingwer de Boer (Director Room for the River Program) Green growth: Water for Food and Ecosystems - Kees Slingerland (Wagening University)

Summary

To set the scene for the Asia Netherlands Learning Week, both the experiences and practices regarding water

security of the Netherlands and Asian countries were presented. Jan Luijendijk focused on the struggle of the

Netherlands to prevent floods and the change to a more integrated approach with the environment and public

space. In a long history with living with water, the Dutch had time to learn from their mistakes and gladly share

lessons learned. Mr Tae-Sun Shin described how the economic growth depended and depends on the available

water. Droughts have a detrimental effect on the economy. In Korea as well, the relation with water changed, from

merely as useful for the economy as a resource which needs care from an environmental perspective and which will

change through climate change.

In the afternoon, the debate at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment on Dutch policy ‘Room for the

Rivers’, the water board system, the Delta System and Indonesian experiences on water policies led to the

identification of two important challenges: (i) how to water policy makers can influence its stakeholders to effectively

and efficiently use water; and (ii) how to link water policy effectively to other policy areas such as infrastructure,

spatial planning and agriculture. Water should not only be an issue within the water sector but should be dealt with

in an integrated manner together with other sectors' issues.


Water Security and


Smart Choices The Room for the River-programme is attractive. The problems and challenges in the Netherlands have many similarities to those in India and it will be beneficial for the country to invest in a similar strategy. Principal Secretary S. C. Mahapatra, State Government of Orissa, India

Smart Choices The organisation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and

Environment is impressive. Usually the two sectors are

represented in separate ministries but in the Netherlands it

is combined into one agency. It is a good way for both

sectors to discuss risks and issues concerning infrastructure

and environment, and in the end find solutions for these

issues together.

Natsuko Totsuka, ADB

“Why is green infrastructure important for security and how can we

implement this in water management?”


Water Security and


Leaders for Innovation Tuesday 23 October “How can you think outside of the box, taking into account the

special nature of water which influences so many aspects of human

life (water, energy, food nexus)?”

Summary

Current water leaders for innovation exchanged their knowledge, lessons learned and best practices with 250

students and new water leaders of UNESCO-IHE. Choices of governments of India, and Indonesia (represented by H.E.

Kirmanto – Minister of Public Works of Indonesia and H.E. Shah – member of the Planning Commission of the

government of India) regarding building resilience in rural and urban areas against climate change, were absorbed

and critically examined by the 250 students.

In the afternoon, the best and worse practices in climate proofing of the Delta city of Rotterdam and the experiences

regarding investments in resilience of Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam were the basis of the debate. H.E. Dao Xuan Hoc

provided insight in the choices available to Ho Chi Minh city regarding climate adaptation. The challenges of Delta

cities regarding climate proofing and in the mean time keeping a high level of liveability in the city made the need of

smart choices evident. H.E. Hoc restated that nowledge exchange on smart options and solutions is needed.

Arnoud Molenaar of the city of Rotterdam showed how climate proofing can go hand in hand with an improvement

of the liveability. Public participation and consultation are key in the development of policy.

Participants got the possibility to exchange thoughts with the Dutch private sector on a boat tour through the Port of

Rotterdam.


Water Security and


Programme

Generating momentum across sectors hosted by UNESCO-IHE

Developing a framework for Water Security

Wouter Lincklaen Arriëns (ADB)

Water-energy-food nexus in India

H.E. Mihir Shah, Member,

(Planning Commission, Government of India)

Meaning of the Nexus for Indonesia and the Importance of Leadership

for Change

H.E. Djoko Kirmanto (Minister of Public Works of Indonesia)

Adapting delta cities for climate change hosted by the City of Rotterdam Climate Adaptation- The Rotterdam Approach

Arnoud Molenaar

Adapting Delta Cities to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta in Viet

Nam

H.E. Dao Xuan Hoc, Vice- Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development

Smart Choices A big scale development is needed in Viet Nam and in order to do

this a good masterplan for flood protection must be developed.

Dr Dao Xuan Hoc, Vice Minister and Vice Chairman, National

Committee of Climate Change

Smart Choices Citizen’s action to conserve and protect the environment must be

promoted.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Member (Water Planning and Projects), Central

Water Commission, New Delhi, India


Water Security and


Partner for Change Wednesday 24 October

“Who to link with, who to incorporate in policy making and

execution in water management?”

Projects on disaster risk management in Viet Nam and Bangladesh were

presented by Dr. Rien Dam and Mr. Dick van den Bergh, both from Deltares. In

order to build long term capability of the local citizens there must be an exchange

of technologies between the private sector provider and the local government

and citizens. Local knowledge can bring a richer perspective on the local situation.

Mr van den Bergh discussed the Regional Technical Assistance (RETA 7276 of

ADB) which supports the preparation and implementation of flood management

and investment projects through knowledge and capacity development services.

The Bangladesh project site included a series of stakeholder consultation and

feasibility analysis of various solutions before coming up with a smart decision

regarding the master plan and the integrated urban plan.

The session closed by noting that disaster risk management is best managed with an increased capacity and knowledge on the kinds of disasters and how to prepare for these disasters.

Morning session at Deltares

Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi of ICHARM stressed the term “localism” as a major

ingredient in the implementation process of their projects wherein they take into

account local diversity of natural, social, and cultural conditions. Furthermore,

disaster preparedness and physical planning is not only costly, but helps in

economic development. Local ownership of disaster risk management determines

the project success. This was supported by Mr. Tjitte Nauta (Deltares) who

stressed that integrated flood management is a driver to green growth and

people’s well-being and empowerment should be at the center of these efforts.

Good spatial planning is important and must be developed within an integrated

master plan and build consensus with the locals to promote local ownership of

flood forecasts and disaster risk management. He opined that governments and

private sector must work together to find a win-win solution.


Water Security and


Smart Choices Involvement of all sectors in developing and implementing a project will benefit all. The role of private sector in

providing infrastructure services through a PPP approach must be explored.

Prof. Tran Viet On, Vice Rector, Water Resources University, Viet Nam

Programme Managing disaster risks hosted by Deltares Flood risk management in Thailand -Tjitte Nauta (Deltares) Disaster risk management, local empowerment, and green growth - Kuniyoshi Takeuchi (Director ICHARM) Disaster risk management in Ho Chi Minh City - Rien Dam (Deltares) Supporting investments in water-related disaster management in Bangladesh - Dick van den Bergh (Deltares) Extending cities into the future hosted by the Rotterdam Port Authority Corporate Van Oord Presentation, Van Oord Green Cities: a Water Secure Future, Amy Leung (ADB) Treasury & Finance Presentation, Van Oord

Afternoon session at 2e Maasvlakte How to finance large scale projects? Representatives of Van Oord, the international dredging and offshore contractor, showed how their company approached the development of the 2nd Maasvlakte, a new part of the Harbor of Rotterdam. Amy Leung provided an insight in the vision of the Asian Development Bank on green cities. The Bank works on various projects among which is the development of the Citarum River Basin in Indonesia and the climate proofing of Ho Chi Minh city.


Water Security and


Increasing Water Security Thursday 25 October

“How can the government facilitate public private partnerships, and

enhance the effectiveness of projects?”

Smart Choices In order to be able to take and implement smart choices, the economic condition of a country is an important factor.

In case these smart choices are made, people feel safe. However, vigilance is always needed. In order to prevent a

false sense of saftey, awareness raising and building trust is important. Water professionals should stay alert.

K. L. L. Premanath, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Sri Lanka

Financing water security hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Financing and contracting of strategic infrastructure projects Water Development in Vietnam - Prof. Tran Viet On (Water Resources University) Sustainable extension – Rene van der Plas (Maasvlakte 2) PPP for Locks, Inland Waterways and Coastal Structures in the Netherlands – Koert Ruiken (Rijkswaterstaat) Securing our water future through innovation hosted by the Netherlands Water Partnership Securing the world’s water future – A Dutch perspective - Paul van Koppen (Netherlands Water Partnership) The role of innovation in IWRM and advanced technologies and tools, and the importance of a strategic approach - Hans van Leeuwen (NWP, Hydrologic)


Water Security and


Summary

Climate Change adaptation is a big challenge and

addressing water related risks is necessary not only for

the safety and well-being of people but also to safeguard

the country’s economies. The cost of investing in

infrastructure to address disasters and adapt to climate

change will be cheaper in the long run. It is however

understood by all that the cost of investing in such

infrastructure cannot be met by many of the developing

countries. Such, the concept of public-private-

partnership (PPP) have come out very strong during the

discussion. PPP enables transference of risk from the

public to the private service provider. There is also a

transfer in knowledge and technology to the public

sector. Through PPP financing is mobilized and

implementation is expedited. With the Government-

corporate-society (GCS) partnership model the

involvement of the community and sustainability of the

project is ensured. Challenge posed to the participant is

to not only look into the private sector on how projects

can transform their water sector and address water

security. Corporatization is not all about the private

sector.

Summary

Prof. Tran Viet On, Vice Rector Water Resources

University, Viet Nam mentioned that there is a need for a

green growth strategy in Viet Nam in order to increase

the awareness of the people on the impacts of climate

change and disasters. He asserted the need to develop

and improve the institutions and to strengthen the role

of the state in managing green infrastructures, for

example through knowledge exchange. During the

plenary, the role of UNESCO-IHE in the learning week was

reiterated as the bridge between the Dutch experts and

the developing countries in need of capacity building

work in the water sector.

The day ended by encouraging all participants to

maintain contact with both their ADB project officers and

UNESCO-IHE in developing proposals for their DMCs.


Water Security and


Governing for Results Friday 26 October

“When you build a construction improving water safety, which

smart choices need to be made with regard to the environment,

sustainability and pppp (public, private, people - partnership)”

Smart Choices Capacity building is needed in managing the river. It also needs both technological advancement and financial

support.

Joint Secretary G.M. Saleh Uddin, Ministry of Water Resources Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka

Programme Making integrated solutions work together hosted by water authorities in the Province of Zeeland Sustainable Delta Development

Mr. Rein van der Kluit and Soer van Herk (Ministry of I&M/Rijkswaterstaat) Leo van der Brand and Tjeerd Blauw (Province of Zeeland

Nolle Westduin, a case of water security – Province of Zeeland and The Vlissingen Method Jeffrey Beenhouwer

Local Water Board "Scheldestromen" Presentation of RWS, Province and Water Board

Ton Mouton Making Smart Choices in Bangladesh

Mohammad Shahidur Rahman, Director General of WARPO, Bangladesh

Water Resources Sector in India S.C. Mahapatra, Principal Secretary of Department of Water Resources, Orissa


Water Security and


Summary

The visit to the Province of Zeeland allowed the participants to appreciate the infrastructure developed by the Dutch

government to manage flood disasters. The Delta Project is a series of infrastructure projects in the southwest of the

Netherlands to protect the large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the sea and possible water

related disasters. The infrastructure consisted of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, levees and storm surge barriers to keep

water out of the land and to shorten the Dutch coastline. Over the years the Delta Project managed to lower the risk

of flooding in the Netherlands. However, experts have also found that due to changing sea levels the tidal flats have

diminished. With these lessons, experts have initiated studies on adaptive management of the delta and

comprehensive and integrated solutions developed together with various experts and stakeholders.

In the afternoon, the participants were given the opportunity to have a discussion with three levels of water

governance: The National Water Board (DG Rijkswaterstaat Zeeland of the Ministry of I&M), The Province of Zeeland

and the local Water Board. Zeeland Governor Karla Peijs recounted that the 1953 flood that happened in Zeeland

was etched in the memory of the citizens thus massive flood mitigating measures have been implemented and

strengthened. Governor Peijs asserted that while Zeeland is safe from flooding due to the structural measures that

have been done, she feels compelled to make the citizens understand that disasters can happen anytime. Disaster

preparedness should be well integrated into the psyche of the citizens. She left the message to the participants to

take home the knowledge learned from the Dutch experts and the Dutch experience and apply the lessons in their

respective countries. She further espoused the need for an integrated plan that does not only look at the structural

measures but also gives importance to the environment.


Water Security and


Smart Choices that most impressed

the Water Leaders from Asia Give room to the river to lower flood control costs. ~ Sunil Chandra Mahapatra

Cooperate across boundaries for basin-wide water resources management. ~ Bangladesh

participants

Take the initiative to prevent flooding after a disaster. ~ M. Hannan

Choose a delta-scale view on solutions for flood management. ~ H.E. D. Hoc

Room for the river. ~ C. Hukom

Live with water. ~ M. Rahman

Develop a sound legal framework about who does what. ~ B. Teeuwen

Engage public-private partnerships for water management. ~ T. On

Avoid a false sense of safety through public awareness. ~ Z.Tun

Choose own solution – there is no one-size-fits-all. ~ G. Khachatryan

Room for the river. ~ C. Llorens

Knowledge and capacity to reclaim land for sustainable development. ~ R. Sarma

Listen, choose, and act on opportunity. ~ W. Lincklaen Arriens

Manage water data in the public domain (and Manage rivers for conservation and urban

development). ~ R. Kumar

Technology and finance for wise river basin management. ~ G. Saleh Uddin

Use knowledge and assistance from Netherlands and ADB. ~ M. Nuruzzaman

Combine infrastructure and environment in one ministry. ~ N. Totsuka

Government need to listen and be responsive to citizens’ needs. ~ O. Siddiqua Khanam

Combine structural measures with environmental and social dimensions. ~ A. Esteban

Create two-way traffic in knowledge sharing between partners. ~ J. Luijendijk

Documents

Su mmary of the 1st Asia -Netherlands Water … mmary of the 1st Asia-Netherlands Water Learning Week Making Smart Choices for Water Security and Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands