SESSION DESCRIPTION FORM 2.
10TH WORLD WATER FORUM*The session description 1 (online form) is separately requested for the session coordinators to deliver aconcise session outline with the contact info and the logistical requests.
Session Code and Title:
RP2 Title changed
Incorporating Sociocultural Dimensions in Water Resources Management: Policies, Practices, and Challenges
Session Coordinators (Name, Position, Organization, email, mobile number):-Japan Water Forum, Mikio Ishiwatari, ishiwatari.mikio@jica.go.jp- Asian Development Bank Institute, K E Seetha Ram, kseetharam@adbi.org-UNESCO Beijing, Ai Sugiura, sugiura@unesco.org

Session Description including objectives and expected outcomes (500 words maximum):Water resources management is a critical component of sustainable development, and the challenges it poses
require a holistic understanding that goes beyond technical and economic considerations. The session offers
a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between water and society, shedding light on how
cultural values, beliefs, and practices influence societal perceptions of water.
The session emphasizes the need for policies and strategies that integrate sociocultural aspects into water
resource management, recognizing that these factors play a crucial role in shaping governance structures andimproving water access. By analyzing cases from various countries, including China, Indonesia, Japan, andothers, the session provides valuable insights into the evolution of water management mechanisms in response
to historical contexts, socio-economic structures, and cultural influences. The lessons learned underscore theimportance of integrating local knowledge, traditions, and customs into water resource management
approaches, promoting cooperative governance, and adapting strategies to evolving sociocultural dynamics.
The discussion serves as a vital resource for policymakers, stakeholders, and anyone committed to fostering
effective and sustainable water management practices in the region.
The expected outcomes of this session encompass:
1) “Incorporating Sociocultural Dimensions in Water Resources Management: Policies, Practices, andChallenge” produced by JWF and ADBI will be launched.
2) Global Awareness: Increased global awareness of the value of cultural diversity and indigenous wisdom inshaping inclusive water policies and practices.
3) Collaboration Opportunities: A platform for potential partners, including UNESCO, to collaborate infurthering the cause of culturally sensitive water management.

Detailed Session plan : 21 May 2024:

Moderator: Prita Laura
She will moderate a session in the style of a TV program.

TimeAllocation
5 mins10 mins

Agenda Item

Speaker (TBC)

Welcome and Opening
Remarks
Keynote speech

ADBI Deputy Dean Seungju Baek

30 mins

Panel Discussion: Key Policy
Messages from the Book

25 mins
5 mins5 minsQ&A Session
Concluding remarks
Closing remarks andacknowledgements

Taikan Oki, Vice-President, Japan Water Forum / The
University of Tokyo
Presentation by Panel (5 minutes each)
1. Mikio Ishiwatari (Board Director, JapanWater Forum) and KE Seetha Ram (SeniorConsulting Specialist ADBI) –, Sustainable
Water Resources Management in Asia: A
Sociocultural Perspective
2. Shahbaz Khan (Director, UNESCO Beijing) –Integrating Safety, Security and Culturalvalues for Integrated Water Resources
Management – a UNESCO World Heritage
Case Study from China
3. Dr. Eun Namkung/ Dr. Ik Jae Kim, A review ofpublic awareness to water regulation andriver management in Korea
4. Hiroaki Ikeuchi (MLIT, Japan) Novel
Approaches in Flood Management Policies inJapan: Integrating Sociocultural Wisdom in
Climate Change Adaptation in Japan
5. Inputs from venue, Bali:
Firdaus Ali (Special Advisor, MoPWHIndonesia) –The Sociocultural Perspective on
Water Resources Management in Bali,Indonesia
ADB Senior Staff
Dr. Riznaldi Akbar, Senior Capacity Building andTraining Economist at ADBI