Asia | Uniting efforts Regional and government cooperation is helping to address water resource management issues throughout Asia
A FOUR-YEAR REGIONAL programme running until 2026, led by Oxfam Novib and funded by the Swedish government, will look at the rights associated with and resilience of transboundary rivers across South Asia. With the aim of fostering stronger cooperation in managing shared water resources and building resilience among riparian communities, the work is focusing on the transboundary Ganga-Brahmaputra- Meghna (GBM) River Basins across Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh.
Below: A fisherman in the delta of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Such activity and water supplies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to unsustainable development, pollution, and climate change across this region of Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh © Thinker360 /
Shutterstock.com
Covering over 1.7 million square kilometres and supporting over 650 million people, the GBM River Basin is one of the largest in the world. Encompassing vast cultural, demographic and biodiversity, the river and its connected ecosystems are essential for livelihoods, agriculture, fisheries, and water supply across the four nations. However, unsustainable development, pollution, and climate change are having an impact. The Stockholm Environment Institute’s Asia centre, which focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resource management, is serving as a regional partner in this programme. SEI’s involvement will enhance grassroots diplomacy, empower local communities, helping them to advocate for sustainable and equitable water governance that reflects their needs and priorities. Engaging ten partners operating at regional, national, and local levels within the GBM basin, the programme’s expected outcomes include: Strengthening the climate resilience of communities
across the basins, ensuring they can sustainably manage and adapt their livelihoods in response to environmental changes.
Enhancing transboundary river ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation, addressing critical environmental threats and fostering sustainable practices.
Building leadership capacity among civil society, focusing on women, indigenous peoples, and youth, to influence policies and practices within government and the private sector on water governance.
Advancing cooperation, collaboration, and accountability mechanisms across and between the GBM basins, laying the foundation for more inclusive, equitable, and transparent water governance structures.
Water stressed One of the most water-stressed countries in the
world, Iraq is facing severe water security challenges exacerbated by climate change, prolonged conflict, and environmental degradation. Rising temperatures, decreased rainfall, and an increased demand due to population growth, are putting additional strain on limited water supplies that have dropped sharply due to prolonged droughts over recent decades, leading to internal displacement. SEI has stepped up to support Iraq in addressing these water challenges and has been working closely with the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, supported by the Swedish funded project called Water Innovation for Circularity and Enhanced Resilience. SEI is engaging with national stakeholders and partners, providing technical expertise to enhance their water management skills.
Youth leadership
Dialogue has begun with the aim of building a youth leadership network for the water sector in the Lancang-Mekong Region. In October 2024, discussions were held in Beijing, organised by the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Centre and SEI. More than 30 representatives from Chinese ministries, the National Water Resources of Thailand, and the United Nations Development Programme, gathered with other governments, scientific research institutions, universities, enterprises and non-governmental organisations to share experiences and exchange training knowledge for younger members of the region’s water industry. A study tour visited the Tuancheng Lake in Beijing’s Haidian District to learn about the economic, social, and ecological benefits of the first phase of the South- to-North Water Diversion Project since it became fully operational.
12 | April 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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