Regional Workshop On River Basin Organisation And Management in Yogyakarta, Indonesia - June 17 - 20, 2009

This was the first regional event executed by GWP SEA, in the last 2 years. It is the region’s early attempt to strategically position itself in relation to regional water management issues is the region.

The workshop is aimed as a multistatekeholder platform for countries in SEA to share information and exchange experiences on the technical and administrative, socio-political complexities informing the operation and management of RBOs. Indonesia Water partnership with the cooperation of leading Partners in Department of Public Works of Indonesia and other partners hosted this Regional river basin organization and management event. Indonesia NARBO shared technical information based on their experiences.

The Ministry of Public Works, within which water resources management falls, provided a substantial amount of the budget. NARBO Indonesia also contributed financial support. In sum, over 50% of the budget came from locally raised funding. 

The workshop was attended by over 100 participants from countries in SEA. Indonesia NARBO sponsored participants from virtually all the river basins in Indonesia. The very busy President of NARBO attended the regional event throughout. The busy Director General of water resources in the Ministry of Public works in Indonesia officially opened the meeting. The Coordinator of the Centre for River basin Organisations (CRBOM) also attended.

The workshop aimed to provide good information on lessons learned in RBOs and basin level WRM implementation in SEA countries, as well as exchange information on lessons learned in SEA countries. It is also aimed to inform GWP SEA on possible areas of focus for the 2010 work plan through the information generated.

The workshop deliberations focus on 3 areas, namely:
• RBO Formats and Functions in all the SEA countries, a summary of the status of RBOs in SEA will now be available
• RBO capacity Issues
• Prospect & future direction of RBOs 

The workshop commenced with a 1day field trip to Sabo and Sermo Dams. The visit to Sabo dam clearly demonstrated how people can peacefully coexist with nature and how sand from Mt Murapi volcanic eruptions can be mined in a sustainable manner without compromising the environment, while at the same time supporting the economic and social development of the area. This is knowledge that can be written down to share with others. This would make good case for the GWP Toolbox. 

Main messages from the Workshop : 

(i) The river basin needs to be consolidated as the most appropriate unit and tool for resolving problems associated with the management of fresh water and river ecosystem. The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach must be undertaken at the river basin level.  

(ii) In Southeast Asian region, river basin organizations take many different forms such as public utility type, corporate type, commission/committee, etc. The progress that each SEA country has made in implementing integrated water resources management at basin level varies. RBOs in Southeast Asia have different tasks and responsibilities in planning, development and management of all aspects in the basin such as catchments management, water allocation and drought management, water quality management, flood management, groundwater management, coastal management, etc. 

(iii) There are many challenges and issues in implementing IWRM at basin level in Southeast Asia region. With respect to the enabling environment (policy, law, government regulations, funding, etc), some countries have not instituted reform laws & regulations, they have constraints in financing and funding, etc. In the area of institutional reforms, there are shortages of adequate and well trained human resources, institution capacity building is therefore essential. RBOs also need to be guided by clear mandates and jurisdiction (no overlapping). In management instrument, there are still have many problems on hydrometric database, water quality monitoring, conflict resolution, cross boundary water resources management, integrated planning and equitable use of water resources. There are critical challenges on water security due to growing urbanization, limited food production, illegal logging, degradation of watersheds, etc.