CSD-13 Interactive Discussion on Water (morning session)

Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to directly address the question you raised of "who should do this and how." That is exactly the right question to ask. As Chairman Ashe said yesterday, the goal of the two-year implementation cycle is to advance implementation of the policy options and put forward practical measures that can achieve real results on the ground.

To address your question, I want to highlight two mechanisms that interested countries can work through to advance implementation of the policy options on IWRM contained within the Matrix from the Intersessional Preparatory Meeting. Before I do, I want to stress that by discussing these two, we are not suggesting that these are -- or should be -- the only two mechanisms or partnerships for addressing IWRM. In fact, our hope is that many more partnerships and mechanisms like these emerge -- forming a broad-based network that can advance implementation.

The two partnerships I want to highlight are the Global Water Partnership and the UNDP Shared Rivers Program. The first, the Global Water Partnership, has become a focal point for parties interested in supporting the development and implementation of IWRM plans in developing countries. Several donor countries are working through this effort, and we expect that 18-20 countries throughout the world will receive support through this mechanism. In addition to donors, other key actors -- such as UNDP the GEF, and -- most importantly -- the recipient countries themselves -- are involved. By working together, we are raising the profile of IWRM, enhancing understanding of the importance of integrated management, and hopefully building the willingness of other parties to work on this issue with us. By working through a common framework, we can conduct a more comprehensive "gap analysis" identifying those countries that might need particular help -- something we alone could not do.

The second program I wish to highlight is the UNDP Shared Waters Program -- a program which brings together multiple donors working with multiple developing countries to build the capacity of countries and regional institutions to address shared water issues. We all know that such issues are politically sensitive, and no action can be taken without the clear expressed desire of the riparians themselves. In such cases where the riparians want assistance , UNDP has developed a mechanism by which expertise, whether in capacity building, institution building or facilitation, can be provided. UNDP’s Shared Waters Program fills a special niche, providing flexible and timely support to countries at critical points in the process of shared waters management. Through this program, our resources have helped countries articulate a joint plan or strategy for management of a shared basin and facilitated funding from more traditional sources such as the GEF and the World Bank. Most importantly both the GWP and the UNDP are advancing participatory decision making, transparency and accountability -- hallmarks of good governance. They are also showing results on the ground. These programs are not a substitute for traditional bilateral programs. Instead, they complement our traditional approaches by allowing us to overcome problems that we alone could not solve.

We feel that these two initiatives are one answer to the question of who should do it. Our hope is that many more mechanisms and partnerships like these emerge during CSD-13, and that we can link them together to facilitate the exchange of best practices, lessons learned and the identification of gaps in assistance. This would be a good CSD outcome.