Financing Implementation of theWater-Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
09:00-11:00 hrs., 12 December 2017, Yangon, Myanmar
Financing resilient water infrastructure and services directly contributes to the implementation of the2030 Agenda and impacts attainment of a number SDG targets. According to Asian Development Bank(2017), however, only 10 percent of water and sanitation infrastructure needs are currently being met inAsia and the Pacific region. The region is experiencing an enormous pressure on water resources due tothe highly growing demand in agriculture and other sectors, low efficiency of water consumption,
increased urbanization trends, as well as impacts of climate change.
This session will focus on policy and actions, and in defining strategic framework to attain the SDGs byimproving the financial sustainability and resilience of water systems and infrastructure, and the need to
strategically mobilize public resources and augment opportunities for private investment.
Given the diversity of the countries in the region, this session is intended to discuss options, will
highlight rich experiences of policy makers, recognizing that some countries have more developed
financial systems and are financing resilient water and sanitation utilities.
The session will identify common approaches that should provide guidance towards solutions for
improving the overall sustainability of the water sector. The discussions will cover the following
potential areas of regional interventions:(i) improving the planning and implementation processes by creating an overall
strategy and scenarios to address inter-sectoral issues with cross-thematicinterventions by enhancing the sustainable business models of water
infrastructure;(ii) bringing in commercial lenders and, where possible, the private sector as
participants to help attain water-related SDGs and in implementing impactful
investments from public and private sources; and(iii) creating funding and oversight programs and policy frameworks forincentivizing

decentralized

collaborative partnerships.

watermanagement

financingsystemand

Tentative Programme
Opening Remarks (09:00-09:10 hrs.)••

Dr. Aida Karazhanova, Economic Affairs Officer, Environment and Development Division, ESCAP
Dr. Wah Wah Maung, Director General, Center of Statistical Organization, Ministry of Planning andFinance, Myanmar

Moderator: Ms. Changhua Wu, Asia Pacific Water Forum, Governing Council Vice-Chair (Beijing)
Key note address and messages on: “Financing the Implementation of the Water SDGs”, by Mr. Aldo Baietti,Water Finance Advisor (Washington DC, webex)

Speakers: (09:25-10:45 hrs)
••
•
•
•

Mr. Tomoyuki Okada, Director for International Coordination of River Engineering River Planning
Division, Water and Disaster Management Bureau Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism, JapanMr. Sangwoo Park, Deputy Director, Water Resources Industry Team, Ministry of Land, Infrastructureand Transport, Republic of Korea
Mr. Hao Zhao, Division Director, Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology,
Ministry of Water Resources, P.R. China
Mr. Greg Browder, Global Lead: Water Security & Water Resources Management, World BankMr. Tom Panella, Chief of Water Sector Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Department, Asian Development BankDiscussants:•••Dr. Wah Wah Maung, Director General, Center of Statistical Organization , Ministry of Planning andFinance, Myanmar
Professor Le Huu Ti, Danang University, Vietnam
Professor Eduardo Araral, Vice-Dean, Research, Co-Director, Institute of Water Policy and Associate
Professor of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Wrap up and Closing Remarks (10:45-11:00 hrs)••Moderator: Ms. Changhua Wu, APWF GC Vice-Chair
Mr. U Htun Lwin Oo, Secretary, National Water Resource Committee, Director General, Directorate ofWater Resources & Improvement of River Systems, Ministry of Transport & Communications,Myanmar

Contact persons:••Dr. Wah Wah Maung, wwmaung@gmail.com, Director General, Ministry of Planning and Finance, Myanmar
Dr. Aida Karazhanova, karazhanova@un.org, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and thePacific, Environment and Development Division (Thailand)