This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

ACTION PROGRAM 2024-2026
Main Theme: Water-related Disaster Management through Structural and Non-Structural Water Infrastructure Development at the Basin Level to Enhance Water Security
Background:
NARBO member countries as well as other countries face water-related problems like flood disasters, food shortages and disease outbreaks, making it a crucial concern in line with
Sustainable Development Goals and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, etc. Alarming projections indicate that by 2025, a third of the developing world will face water
shortages. Even smaller nations experience acute water scarcity. While at the same time, for instance, in 2022, the number of people affected by floods, landslides and storms accounted
for 375 million across the world. These underline the need for a proactive approach in managing water resources. Despite escalating natural disasters, including extreme weather events,
our commitment to sustainable water management remains steadfast. This entails considering economic, social, and environmental dimensions while being attuned to prevailing societal
conditions. Under this situation, it would be remarkable for the NARBO members if practice of NARBO Action Plans could bring substantial benefits, providing a platform to assess realworld situations of water-related disasters within NARBO member countries. It empowers the members to address these challenges effectively through discussions and sharedperspectives. Additionally, it fosters collaboration and fresh insights among the members, ensuring a holistic approach to water resources management.
# Source: The Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, School of Public Health Université catholique de Louvain Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs, Bte B1.30.15, 1200 Brussels,Belgium

Concept / Framework:
IWRM, which plays an important role in strengthening Water Security, encompasses a wide scope of the matters concerned. Within this, NARBO mainly focuses on the water-related
infrastructure development as one of measures to enhance Water Security during the next three-year period from 2024 to 2026, and then, the Action Plan will be framed in terms of thefollowing perspectives.
1.

NARBO secretariats will select one or two of NARBO members in response to their requests, and conduct a case study on the development of water-related infrastructure together
with the relevant members for a certain period of time. However, as before, the result of the activities has to contribute to the development of IWRM projects and achievement of1

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

international goals and targets on water such as shown in 6.5 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international initiatives such as OECD Water Governance Initiative,
International Flood Initiative (IFI), Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management and so on.
2.

RBOs often face major constraints such as restricted autonomy, limited financial resources, and lack of professional capacities. Therefore, in order to remedy such RBOs current
situations and push RBOs into becoming drivers of sustainable IWRM as much as possible, NARBO secretariat chiefly plays a role of sharing the activity contents and relevant
information on international discussions, publications and articles via NARBO Website, NARBO Friends on Facebook & member’s Website and e-Newsletter, etc.

A. Capacity Development in River Basin Organizations (RBOs) & Network Support
Activities

Implementation

Plan LeadNotesAgency
1. Strengthening Water Security

NARBO Secretariat collaborates with NARBO members to;NARBO



NARBO Secretariat supports theClarify climate change impact on water resources management andSecretariat,

relevant RBOs to resolve theirstatus of construction and O&M of water-related facilities on basin

National

issues of water resources

level.

Secretariat,

management in collaboration withClarify issues (gaps between ideal and actual situations) andKnowledge

National Secretariat and Knowledge

During three years from 2024, NARBOchallenges (actions to bridge the gaps), and potential needs for thePartners

Partners.

promotes the capacity development ofdevelopment.

and theSupport to prepare a master plan on water resources development

Host

not only another project initiatives

and management from the project initiative to the O&M stage

Organization

but also new knowledge products.

Focusing on Water Infrastructure

Development
IWRM encompasses a wide scope of thecontents for Water Security enhancement.

RBO through various activities of waterinfrastructure development. toward
strengthening Water Security.

Support to formulate a road map for feasibility of the specific ODAprojectClear the broad issues and challenges regarding the project from aview point of IWRM
2Outcomes from this activity leads toThis document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

A. Capacity Development in River Basin Organizations (RBOs) & Network Support
Activities

Implementation

Plan Lead

Notes

Agency2. IWRM Training and Workshops



IWRM Training to be implemented on a regular basis

NARBO- Training courses contribute to thePrograms to be developed with the Host Organization, the NationalSecretariat,

‘IWRM Spiral’ in “IWRMGUIDELINES” and ‘IWRM Indicator’promotion of establishment of RBOs,

Secretariat, Knowledge Partner Organizations and Academic Institutes National

are used as main materials forcapacity development of RBOs andby considering host country’s interests and international agenda andSecretariat,

capacity development activities

improve IWRM at basin level throughto be used for ‘IWRM Spiral’ in “IWRM Guidelines at River Basin Level

Knowledge

strengthening institutional capacity of(“IWRM Guidelines”) and NARBO ‘IWRM Indicator’Partners

Secretariats to introduce case

Result of activities must contribute to the development of IWRM

and thestudies and advanced technologies

workshops under the umbrella of IWRM

projects and achieve international goals and targets on water such as

Hostby enhancing collaboration withneed to be organizedshown in 6.5 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) andOrganization

academia and other international

RBOs and their staff - Thematic

networks

contribute to international initiatives such as OECD Water GovernanceInitiative, International Flood Initiative (IFI), Asia-Pacific Water ForumMembers to facilitate their staff toapply and contribute to registrationand so onfee and to sharing what they haveCollected case studies to contribute to the development of sequel tolearnt with their colleagues on an“IWRM Guidelines” and other guidelines which will be initiated byorganizational basis

Leadership program by IWC to beconsidered

Programs to contribute and be conducted in collaboration with ADB’s
TA9095 and the donor’s program(APWF), ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management

international organizations
NARBO Secretariat with National

IWRM Certification to be linked withResult of the training and workshop to be shared among staff inIWRM Training Courses andparticipants’ organizations by holding the internal meetings supported

disseminated through National

3

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

A. Capacity Development in River Basin Organizations (RBOs) & Network Support
Activities

Implementation

Plan Lead

Notes

Agencyby the National Secretariat

Secretariat

Effective method such as E-Learning to be explored for the training
courses

3. RBO Performance Benchmarking

Manage and develop the implementation of the NARBO RBOCRBOM,- Provides a demand based benchmarking

performance benchmarking service and apply IWRM Indicator toNARBOcountry or basin situation to beservice for RBOs to assess andRBOs who have strong interests in applying it.

Secretariat

developed and applied

continuously improve their performance

Modified indicator which fits with theRegular base monitoring should be conducted with support of CRBOM andwith NARBO Secretariat and the National Secretariat

NationalSecretariat

4. Communication and Interactions



NARBO Website (http://www.narbo.jp), NARBO Friends on FacebookAll members



Information on Scholarship and- Keeping and enhancing the NARBO& member’s Website, e-Newsletter, publications and reports to beother useful information also to be

network contributes to complementing

stimulated

also shared

ODA activities.

Communication through multiple tools isthe foundation of NARBO

Members to provide NARBO Secretariat with information, news andtopics on IWRM frequently for NARBO website and Newsletter

Information on international discussions, publications and articles on
IWRM and Water Governance to be disseminated through multiple
methods



Active participation to the discussions on IWRM through SNS andmore opportunities to be developed

Information related to NARBO also to be disseminated through4

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

A. Capacity Development in River Basin Organizations (RBOs) & Network Support
Activities

Implementation

Plan LeadNotes

Agencymember’s websites and newsletters
5. Twinning Programs and Advisory

Visits to RBOs
- are the mutually beneficial programs forexperience and knowledge sharing and

capacity development, involving exchange
visits, staff exchange, and joint projects

6. National Secretariat

Initiated, arranged and financed by

Mutually beneficial programs for knowledge sharing and capacity

RBO

development, involving exchange visits, staff exchange, and jointmembers,

projects to be developed and conducted through Twinning Programs

NationalEnhance making LOI for implementing Twinning Program withSecretariat

National Secretariat can facilitate

facilitation of NARBO Secretariat and National Secretariatsand NARBO

initial actions

Explore further substantial outputs in using current scheme for mutualSecretariat

RBO members themselves


NARBO Secretariat and eachResult of activities to be shared with

benefits and develop IWRM projects and achieve international goals

other members through website andand targets on waternewsletters
The established National Secretariat to provide demand based knowledge

National- are encouraged to be established aiming toand capacity development services that meet NARBO member’s and its

Secretariat,

universities and other international

achieve localized water resources

clients’ needs and support

NARBO

organizations and networks in theNARBO activities in their country and localized water resources

Secretariat

country will be consideredon water, supported by NARBO Secretariat

management which fits with the region Member organization in theand Steeringand Steering Committee to enhancecountry to support activities of National Committee in every aspect

Committee

SC meetings shall be convened by Secretary General if necessary

The NARBOSC to provide guidance on strategic direction of NARBO’s activities

Secretariat

including role of National Secretariat, NARBO operation and management

andmanagement and foster domestic industry

collection and dissemination of informationand experiences on IWRM

7. Steering Committee (SC)5

Collaboration with institutes,

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

A. Capacity Development in River Basin Organizations (RBOs) & Network SupportActivities

Implementation

Plan LeadNotes

Agencysystem, and Financial guidelines.

SteeringSC has a function of Nomination of NARBO Officials Notable experts inCommittee

the region to be invited to SC meetings

8. Nomination Committee (NC)- Nomination Committee
needs to be established

based on NARBO Charter

Nomination process of NARBO officials to be transparent and evaluation

NARBO

to be just and fair.

Secretariat

All member organizations to participate in the nomination process and tocontribute by sending the nomination letter

B. Advocacy and Raising Awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Activities

Implementation

Plan LeadNotes

Agency1. Workshops, Conferences andConduct workshops on the topics closely related with IWRM such as

NARBO

Seminars on IWRM

climate change and water-related disasters based on theSecretariat,

Secretariats introduces case studies- Need to be held to cover the hot topics ofsuggestions/opinions from member organizations or proposals from

Nationaland advanced technologies by

IWRM and the details need to be decided byknowledge partner organizations or international organizations including

Secretariat

enhancing collaboration withthe demand and necessityinternational initiativesandacademia and other internationalOpportunities and contribution to OECD Water Governance Initiative,

Knowledge

networks.

High-level Expert and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), IFI,partners



the 5th Asia-Pacific Water Summit and the 12th World Water Forum to beconsidered for collaboration

6

NARBO Secretariat with National

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

B. Advocacy and Raising Awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Activities

Implementation

Plan Lead

Notes

Agency2. Localization of IWRM

NARBO Secretariat with National Secretariat and Knowledge Partner

NARBO

Guidelinesorganizations to provide useful reference materials Localized IWRM

Secretariat,- Needs to be formulated by considering

Guidelines to be shared with other regions through NARBO network

National



UNESCO’s “IWRM Guidelines”

HELP Davao’s action programs to beconsidered for collaboration

SecretariatandKnowledge
partners

3. Ownership of NARBO

- Needs to be promoted to secureMembers to active contribution and participation to NARBO activities

All

based on NARBO Charter

members

Share Practitioners’ voices and experiences on the fields to theNARBO

international level discussions

SecretariatMembers to offer proactive opinions
and proposals for the step-up

sustainable activities

4. Contribution to achieve international

goals and target related to water forsustainability and collaboration withinternational initiatives

Take concrete actions to achieve goals and target on water in Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction (2015-2030), the 29th, 30th session of the Conference of theParties(COP29，30), and so on.

Consider recommendations such as Green Growth and quality
infrastructure investment in implementation of the project for the futurecollaboration opportunities

Enhance collaboration with UN-Water, ASEAN, GWP (Global Water7

Members to offer case studies thatshould be disseminated forinternational society as practitioners

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

B. Advocacy and Raising Awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Activities

Implementation

Plan LeadAgency

Partnership), OECD, Donor agencies including ADB, JICA and the World
Bank, international initiatives such as HELP (High-level Expert andLeaders Panel on Water and Disasters), IFI, existing networks such as
APWF, WEPA (Water Environment Partnership in Asia) and AWCI (AsiaWater Cycle Initiative) to help RBOs and projects for IWRM in river basins.
Explore collaboration with research institutions, researcher groups anduniversities on climate changeCollaborate with RBOs and networks in other regions in improving water
security in their basins for the future

5. Transboundary Water Management

Support pilot implementation and disseminate good practices

Explores opportunities to foster transboundary water resources

NARBO

management (within the boundary and between the neighboring countries)

Secretariat

through information sharing and exchange of experiences and offers goodpractices as inputs for regional study on chartingEnhance collaboration with international organizations, global initiatives
and networks and Academic Society on this field

6. Charting Progress and Facilitating

quality Investment for IWRM
- Accelerate sustainable economic growthand improve the living standards in river

Fostering water-related industry for sustainable quality operation andNARBO

management of water-related facilities to be encouraged

Secretariat

Use of NARBO events for developing IWRM project supported /andimplemented by donor organizations to be sought

National8Notes

This document was approved in the 7th General Meeting on May 23, 2024

B. Advocacy and Raising Awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Activities

Implementation

Plan LeadAgency

basins through efficient, effective, and

sustainable water resources management,
environmental conservation, and water-Cooperation on ADB’s TA for NARBO members and the result of past TA
to be shared with members through NARBO

The capacity of government agencies and other stakeholders concerned

elated disaster risk reduction with highto be strengthened for the implementation of the future investment

standard of quality.

programs–9SecretariatsNotes