SUB-REGION SYNTHESIS SESSION
Sub-Region Southeast Asia Synthesis Session on Water Scarcity
Date/Time: Wednesday 22nd of May 2024, 14:50 -16:20 (UTC 8:00)
Location: BNDCC 1, MEZZANINE FLOOR, KINTAMANI 6
10TH WORLD WATER FORUM
Session Description:
In the Asia-Paciﬁc, water resources form the basis of agricultural productivity and economic
growth. However, the region is currently facing increasing water scarcity driven by population
growth, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. From 1975 to 2010, thepopulation living under high or severe water scarcity increased from 1.1 billion to over 2.6billion, while those experiencing green-blue water scarcity—where there is insuJicient water forboth environmental and human needs—rose from 0.2 billion to nearly 1.5 billion.
Agriculture, which accounts for up to 95 percent of the region’s freshwater usage, is crucial for
Asia's food production but increasingly competes with other sectors for water. This competitionis heightened by the region's rapid economic expansion, placing further strain on water
systems. Water scarcity issues manifest through insuJicient availability, over-utilization,
variable supply, and poor water quality, posing signiﬁcant risks to the region’s development.
The FAO estimates a 50 percent increase in global food production is needed by 2050 to meetrising demand, which will intensify the competition for scarce water resources among urban,industrial, and environmental sectors. Agriculture, as the largest consumer of water, is a major
driver of water scarcity and signiﬁcantly impacts water quality.
To eJectively address Southeast Asia's escalating water challenges, implementing robust
water accounting and allocation systems is crucial. Enhanced water management tools canhelp quantify water use, identify ineJiciencies, and optimize distribution among agricultural,industrial, and urban users. This strategic approach is essential for ensuring sustainable water
use and supporting the region's agricultural needs amidst growing scarcity pressures.

This session highlights the need for coordinated actions to ensure water security andsustainability in Southeast Asia’s agricultural sector, emphasizing the importance of innovativeand scalable solutions.
Key messages:
1. The Asia-Paciﬁc region is experiencing signiﬁcant water scarcity due to factors likepopulation growth, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and climate change, which isimpacting its agricultural productivity and posing risks to economic growth anddevelopment.
2. EJective management and strategic allocation of water resources, including theimplementation of robust water accounting systems, are crucial to addressing thechallenges of water scarcity in Southeast Asia, especially to support agriculture and ensuresustainable water use amidst competing demands from various sectors.
Concrete outcomes:
1. Increase awareness and foster collaboration between diverse stakeholders regarding water
scarcity in Southeast Asia.
2. Highlight national successes and challenges in managing water scarcity in Southeast Asia.
3. Foster south-south learning to promote best practices in water management acrossSoutheast Asia, with an emphasis on adaptable strategies suitable for various localcontexts.
4. Raise awareness of various national and regional initiatives to tackle water scarcity,emphasizing the value of shared experiences and regional technical cooperation.
5. Advocate for the broader use of water accounting and management tools to help
stakeholders across Southeast Asia better understand and address competing waterdemands.

Detailed Session Plan: 90 minutes / 100-150 people
Timing2 mins

Item Description / Role
Introduction

Speakers
Master of Ceremony:
Mr. Fany Wedahuditama
Regional Program Coordinator
Global Water Partnership Southeast Asia

5 minsOpening Remark

Mr. Tim Goodes
Executive Director (Basin Plan)
Murray Darling Basin Authority, Australia

7 minsSetting the scene: Water scarcity
in Southeast Asia

Ms. Caroline Turner
Water Scarcity Programme Manager
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations

5 minsIntroduction to the High-Level
Panel

Moderator:
Mr. Thanapon Piman
Senior Research Fellow
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

7 minsExperience of Indonesia

Mr. Muhammad Irfan Saleh
Director of Water Resources
BAPPENAS, Indonesia

7 minsExperience of Lao PDR

Ms. Sengphasouk Xayavong
Deputy Director of the Policy Division, DWR
DWR, MONRE, Lao PDR

7 minsExperience of Thailand

Mr. Nitidate Makkate
Civil Engineer, Senior Professional Level
ONWR, Thailand

7 minsReﬂections on the Panel
Discussion from Cambodia

Dr. An Pich Hatda
Secretary of StateMoWRaM, Cambodia

20 mins

Moderated Q&AModerator:
Mr. Fany Wedahuditama
Regional Program Coordinator
Global Water Partnership Southeast Asia

5 minsSummary & Closing

Lance Gore
Principal Water Resources Specialist
Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector
OJice
Asian Development Bank