The 4th Asia-Paciﬁc Water Summit

Water for Sustainable Development- Best Practices and the Next Generation -Implementation Report

Implementation Report
Editor:Secretariat of the 4th Asia-Paciﬁc
Water Summit (APWS)(Japan Water Forum)

This report is a tentative translation by the Secretariat of the Fourth Asia-PacificWater Summit. The translation may be revised in the future.

Contents
Greetings
Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit /President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum / Former Prime Minister of Japan ………………………………… 4
Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, Vice Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water
Summit / Mayor of Kumamoto City ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Greetings from the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Ms. Changhua Wu, Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum…………… 6
Dr. Eduardo Araral, Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum /Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore ……… 7
Rest in peace, our dear leader Mark Pascoe ………………………………………………………………………………… 8

Outline
The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit Logo ……………………………………………………………………………………… 9
The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Number ……………………………………………………………………………… 9

Outcome of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
Kumamoto Declaration ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
Kumamoto Initiative for Water (outline) …………………………………………………………………………………… 13
4th APWS Chair's Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18

Program ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
Opening Ceremony
Opening Remarks Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the
4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit / President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum /Former Prime Minister of Japan …………………………………………………………………… 24
Remarks His Majesty the Emperor of Japan ……………………………………………………………………………… 25
Greetings [Tentative Translation] Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan ………………………… 26
Greetings Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations ……………………………… 28
Greetings from Host City Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto City ……………………………… 30
Report from the Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Mr. Mark Pascoe, Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum …………………… 32
Youth Declaration of Summit Opening Students from Kumamoto Kita High School,
Kumamoto Prefecture ………………………………………………… 35
Commemorative Speech His Majesty the Emperor of Japan …………………………………………………… 36

Heads of State and Government Meeting
Speech by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister, Japan ………………………………………………………………… 51
Statement (on-site)
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia ………………………………………………………………………… 55
1

Honourable Kausea Natano
Prime Minister of Tuvalu ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 57
H.E. Dr. Phankham ViphavanhPrime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic ……………………………………………………… 60
H.E. Mr. Sardor Umurzakov
Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan …………………………………………………………… 62
Statement (online)
H.E. Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering
Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bhutan ………………………………………………………………………………………… 66
H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam …………………………………………………………… 69
Statement (video message)
H.E. Emomali Rahmon
President of the Republic of Tajikistan ………………………………………………………………………………… 71
H.E. Joko Widodo
President of The Republic of Indonesia ………………………………………………………………………………… 73
H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
President of the Philippines …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 75
H.E. Hon. Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, M.P.
President of the Republic of Nauru ……………………………………………………………………………………… 77
H.E. Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ………………………………………………… 79
H.E. Mr. Sadyr Japarov
President of the Kyrgyz Republic …………………………………………………………………………………………… 81
H.E. Mr. Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV
President of Turkmenistan ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 83
H.E. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ………………………………………………………… 85
H.E. Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand …………………………………………………………………………… 87
Hon. Dalton Tagelagi
Premier of Niue ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 89
H.E. Jiba B. Kabua
Acting President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ……………………………………………………… 91

High Level Statement
List of Speakers …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 93

Parallel Sessions
Parallel Session 1
Parallel Session 2
Parallel Session 3
Parallel Session 4

2

Water and Disaster/Climate Change …………………………………………………………… 97
Water Supply ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 102
Water and the Environment from Source to Sea …………………………………………… 105
Water and Poverty/Gender …………………………………………………………………………… 110

Parallel Session 5 Water & Sanitation/ Wastewater Management ……………………………………………… 114
Parallel Session 6 Youth Leadership & Innovation by Youth ……………………………………………………… 117
Parallel Session 7 Water and Food …………………………………………………………………………………………… 122
Parallel Session 8 Water, Culture and Peace …………………………………………………………………………… 125
Parallel Session 9 Sound Water Cycle including Goundwater ………………………………………………… 133
Collection of Showcase and Roadmap ……………………………………………………………………………………… 136

Integration Sessions
Integration Session 1 Science & Technology …………………………………………………………………………… 138
Integration Session 2 Governance …………………………………………………………………………………………… 141
Integration Session 3 Finance …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 146
Overall Integration Session ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 150

Special Sessions
Showcase …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 158
Small Islands State Session ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 161

Closing Ceremony
APWF Governing Council Chair, Ravi Narayanan Farewell Statement
Mark Pascoe's thanks to Mr. Ravi Narayanan ……………………………………………………………………………… 168
Youth message …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 169
Statement [Tentative Translation]
Mr. Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan
Read by Mr. Norihiro Nakayama, Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport…………… 171
Closing Remarks Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto City …………………………………………… 173

Official Side Events
Symposium ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 175
Local Exhibition ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 187
Online Exhibition ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 189

Related Events……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 190
Message from Diet Members Elected from Kumamoto Prefecture ………………………………… 210
Organizational Structure of the 4th APWS ………………………………………………………………………… 211
Sponsors and Supporting Organizations
Sponsors …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 212
Supporting Organizations …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 213

3

Greetings

Mr. Yoshiro Mori
Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Former Prime Minister of JapanThe 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) was successfully concluded and issued several outcome documents,
namely, the Kumamoto Declaration and Chair's Summary. In addition, at the Heads of State and Government
Meeting—a flagship component of the APWS—Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the Kumamoto
Initiative for Water, a robust commitment by the Japanese government.
For their considerable efforts and contributions to this conference, I would like to thank the organizations
involved in the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, the people of the host city, Kumamoto City, the countries participatingfrom the Asia-Pacific region and their embassies in Tokyo, the United Nations and other international organizations,
the Japanese government and their ministries and agencies, the members of the Joint Executive Committee fromJapan and overseas, and everyone who participated in, attended or watched the sessions and events.
The APWS was held in Japan for the first time in 15 years since the 1st Summit was held in Beppu in 2007. At theOpening Ceremony of the 4th APWS, we were honored by the online presence of Their Majesties the Emperorand Empress of Japan, and by the commemorative speech delivered by His Majesty the Emperor. In addition,
representing the high school students who participated in the Youth Water Forum Kyushu, which is a newly
launched platform by the Japan Water Forum for capacity development and awareness-raising, six students fromthree high schools in the Kyushu region were also given the opportunity to have an informal talk online with
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.
In terms of the outcomes of the 4th APWS, I am pleased to report that Kumamoto City, Japan, was highly praisedby the participating countries and organizations as a model that embodies the theme of the 4th APWS, "Water for
Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next Generation -".
I ask for your continued cooperation and support in disseminating and sharing the series of outcomes from the
4th APWS, including the good practices and roadmaps that were shared at the conference and the significant
involvement of youth participants, both within Japan and to the Asia-Pacific region and to the rest of the world.
Following the 4th APWS, in June, the Second High-level International Conference on the Water Action Decade
was held in Dushanbe, co-organized by the Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations.
This conference was an important milestone meeting within the International Decade for Action, "Water for
Sustainable Development", 2018-2028, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2016 to
help achieve the various water-related SDGs.
The principal outcome document from this conference, the Final Declaration titled "From Dushanbe 2022 to New
York 2023", stipulates the determination to accelerate efforts for achievement of all water-related goals including
SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), while also looking more broadly at issues related to the environment, theeconomy, science and technology, human resources and other relevant areas. The sound management of water,
the participation of youth, and the 4th APWS are also referenced in the document.
It is my hope that the outcomes of the 4th APWS will serve as a beacon of hope, not only for the UN Water
Conference scheduled to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York in March 2023, but also for the future
post-COVID-19 pandemic and post-SDGs.
4

Mr. Kazufumi Onishi
Vice Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
Mayor of Kumamoto City

The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit was held at Kumamoto-Jo Hall over two days, April 23–24, and was attended
in person and online by heads of state and government from 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including
Japan. The success of the Water Summit, which had been postponed due to the impact of COVID-19, is the direct
result of the dedicated efforts of our co-organizer, the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, the Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and so many others. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those
who cooperated in organizing the event.
At the Opening Ceremony of the Water Summit, we were honored by the online presence of Their Majesties
the Emperor and Empress and by the commemorative speech delivered by His Majesty Emperor Naruhito titled"Hearts Minds and Water - Touching Water in People's Beliefs -."In addition, based on the theme of "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next Generation -,"the Heads of State and Government Meeting, the Parallel Sessions, and other programs made for an international
conference of great significance. Participants shared about various water-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region
and engaged in enthusiastic discussion, leading to new developments for the resolution of global water-related
problems.
At the Heads of State and Government Meeting in particular, the Kumamoto Declaration was adopted, reaffirming
the importance of water in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and aiming for transformation towards a
quality-oriented society. Named after Kumamoto, the declaration was compiled in a concise and comprehensive
manner from the three perspectives of governance, finance, and science and technology based on the various
views and opinions of the participating countries. It is a new form of declaration through which the Summit
encouraged discussion among participants and called for substantive action. The Kumamoto Declaration will
be exhibited to the wider world at next year's UN Water Conference, and I am confident that it will provide apathway of hope for the future of water not only in the Asia-Pacific region but throughout the world.
As the host city of the Water Summit and as an "SDGs Future City" pioneering efforts to achieve the SDGs,
Kumamoto City will strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders and take the lead in resolving waterrelated issues—not only in Kumamoto City but also in Japan and abroad—in order to realize a sustainable society
in which no one is left behind.
In closing, I would like to express my respect and gratitude once again to all the participants in the Water Summit
and to thank everyone involved for their cooperation.

5

Greetings from the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water ForumAct Together: For Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Society

Ms. Changhua Wu
Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water ForumThe Kumamoto Summit is a pivotal moment for Asia and the Pacific nations when leaders have renewed theircommitments to quality growth supported by quality water infrastructure for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable
society. Very importantly, decision-makers have committed to putting water security at the core of policy making
at all levels and across all sectors. And collaboration and partnership are reconfirmed as key to advancing,governing, financing, and innovating water sustainability.
Three deliverables highlight the significant and inspiring outcomes of the Summit:
1. The Kumamoto Declaration reconfirms water's critical importance and renews leaders' commitments tocontinuously enhancing adaptivity in the context of intensifying climate change impacts, with focuses on
improving governance, closing the financial gap and appealing to the science and technology community tobetter support science-based policy- and decision-making.
2. The Chair's Summary reflects the best practices, knowledge and expertise that support and enable solutions
to drive through actions while removing barriers in governance, finance and science and technology, as wellas bridging the gaps in basin-wide water management based on IWRM, policy coherence, institutional andprofessional capacity and capability to attract investment, standardization and accountability.
3. And, the Kumamoto Initiative for Water, announced by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, demonstrates theJapanese government's continued dedication to forging stronger partnership in the region for collective
actions in building quality infrastructure by using Japan's advanced technologies, centered around climate
adaptation and mitigation in least developed economies in the region.
A new narrative of water has re-emerged and re-mainstreamed. Just as His Majesty the Emperor has articulated
in his commemorative lecture – "Heart, Minds and Water: Touching Water in People's Beliefs", it has long been
deeply rooted in Asian cultures that water is life; water shapes who we are and defines how we conduct ourdeeds and behave. This new narrative is guiding us all to review, rethink, and reset how we, collectively crossgeneration and cross-national-boundary, bring back water harmony to our economy and society.
The success of the Summit shall be attributed to the leadership and steadfast support from Japanese government
and Kumamoto City, and the participation and contribution from the political leaders in our region, all APWF
members, and all the participants on-side and online. I am especially inspired by the enthusiasm and aspiring
entrepreneurship of the younger generation.
The compass of the pathway forward is clearly set by the Summit. And for us all at the APWF, we are moving
forward and deep diving to further strengthen the network's actions, partnerships and impactful solutions. Let's
join more hands, big and small, and embed ourselves in transformative solutions.
6Dr. Eduardo Araral
Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,
National University of Singapore

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Father of Singapore and former Prime Minister, once declared that every policyin Singapore would have to bow down to the imperatives of water security. This is the essence of the Asia-PacificWater Forum (APWF), to provide a platform for political leaders in the region to put water on top of the political
agenda.
We only realize the value of water when faced with prolonged droughts like those in Australia, California andChina. We know the value of water when we have too much of it, like recently in Pakistan, Bangkok, South
Korea. We know the value of water when it becomes too polluted as is the case with most cities in developing
countries. When ground water is already depleted and cities are sinking, we appreciate the value of water. With
the gathering pace of urbanization in developing countries, water becomes a central problem. And as countries
around the world grapple with a solution to the protracted energy crises, hydropower and nuclear power (which
depends on water cooling), water will again play a prominent role. Unfortunately the incentives of politicalleaders are tied to short term electoral cycles while water problems require long term, and some-times difficult,solutions, for example building unpopular dams, imposing water tariffs for urban consumers and farmers, stopping
unregulated water extraction, among others.
Thankfully, there are platforms such as the APWF and the Asia-Pacific Water Summit to remind political leadersof the value of water and need to for leadership. The Government of Japan and the City of Kumamoto have to becommended for pushing ahead with the Summit at the height of the Covid pandemic.
But as they say, talk is cheap and conferences are dime a dozen. The real test is when political leaders read thisreport, take to heart its recommendations and take concrete action.

7

Rest in peace, our dear leader Mark Pascoe

Saddened and heartbroken, we mourn the sudden passing and loss of Mr. Mark Pascoe, our beloved new and
now late Chair of the Governing Council of Asia Pacific Water Forum (APWF). On behalf of our entire membersof APWF, please accept our deepest sympathies to Mark's family. We deeply share your loss and grief.
Immediately after taking over as Chair of the APWF Governing Council in April 2022, he demonstrated hisleadership at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) by supporting APWF President Yoshiro Mori, whochaired the 4th APWS. He also served as moderator of the Heads of Government Meeting (HSG) and the highlevel statement sessions of the 4th APWS. He also presented the recommendations and pathways for improving
water governance in Asia and the Pacific. He generously gave his time and feedback to young water leaders inAsia and the Pacific.
Mark is a friendly and genial person, someone with integrity, persistence, open-mindedness, flexibility,
adaptability, and resilience. He was always willing to respond to our every request and gave us feedback.
His influence and contribution have fallen on our shoulders to carry on in advancing water resilience,
inclusiveness, and sustainability in our region, including his concern for the younger generation. Mark can berest assured that we will carry on with his legacy.
He will be sorely missed as a leading figure in the global water community. Mark will be remembered dearly in
our community and remembered by people he has mentored, guided, helped, and supported.
We are honored to have had the opportunity to have known and worked with Mark for the 4th APWS.
With our deepest sympathy
APWF Governing Council and APWF Secretariat, on behalf of all APWF

8

別図１

Outline
パターン1

The 4th Asia-Pacificパターン2
Water Summit Logo
The Concept of 4th APWS Logo
On this Earth, there is a dynamic water cycle that flows from theatmosphere through the ground, rivers, etc., to the oceans, andhence, the solutions we implement for water issues would likely
affect other regions, environments and economies. In addressing
water issues, it is important that people from various regions andstakeholders work together while considering the sound water
cycle.
This logo represents the outlook of the entire Asia-Pacific region
towards solving our water issues, recognizing water through thelarger perspective of the water cycle.
The outer ring expresses a broad view of water circulation,

rotating in a counterclockwise direction from the right side, in which water vapor, condenses into water
droplets, falls as rain on the ground, and transforms into rivers, lakes, groundwater and the like to moisten

パターン3
the
earth.

パターン4

The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Number• Heads of state and government participants: 18 persons from 18 countries *• Ministerial level participants: 33 persons from 22 countries *• Total number of participants: 5,488 people including 1,460 online participants• High level statement: 22 countries and 25 organizations• Sessions: 9 parallel sessions, 4 integration sessions, 2 special sessions• Official side events: 6 symposiums, local and online exhibitions (51 exhibitors)• Related event: 14 events• Coverage: More than 1,300 newspaper/online articles (28th March - 27th April, 2022)* Either face-to-face or online, or through video messages

9Outcome of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
Kumamoto Declaration
Water challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic is having serious socio-economic impacts on countries around the world and ishindering progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The pandemic has disrupted disasterrisk reduction and water service delivery. On the other hand, lack of access to safe and affordable water andsanitation, along with recurrence of floods and droughts, has hindered prompt global responses to the pandemic.
The extent of damage has varied by region and context, with island nations, inland areas, and vulnerable groups
suffering particularly severe impacts.
We, the Leaders of the Participating Countries in the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS), building on the Joint
Statements of the previous Summits, reaffirm the criticality and importance of water as we deal with hazards
marked by widespread damage due to the pandemic. We recognize that the water sector plays a vital role inrecovering from the pandemic. At the same time, climate change will continue to generate and further aggravate
the cascading multi-hazards of tropical cyclones, storm surges, flood and drought disasters, soil and waterpollution, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. But, by restoring a sound water cycle, we can reduce disaster
risk, achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strengthen transboundary cooper-ation.

Transformation towards a quality-oriented society
We have reached a collective understanding that recovery from the pandemic requires transformation into
quality-oriented societies that are resilient, sustainable, and inclusive. This can be achieved by strengthening
action for water sustainability. This transformation should proceed through multi-stakeholder partnership with
open, transparent, participatory, and collaborative processes.

Resilience involves efforts to reduce water-related disaster risk on a cross-sectoral, whole-of-river basin andaquifer basis. We will also continue improving water security and access to water and sanitation, which is a
primary public health measure against infectious diseases.

Sustainability involves placing water at the center of the political agenda. We will promote climate change
mitigation measures while utilizing low-emission energy sources in conjunction with adaptation measures andstrategies for disaster risk reduction and infrastructure development. Also, we will promote green infrastructurethat can provide mitigation and adaptation benefits for achieving carbon-neutral societies in harmony with natureand biodiversity conservation.

Inclusiveness involves maintaining the current trend of improvement towards achieving SDGs in the Asia-Pacificregion. Without waiting until 2030, we will work towards achieving access to safe and affordable drinking waterand sanitation facilities for all, including women, youth and elderly persons, ending open def-ecation, reducing
the risk of disaster, and attaining other water-related SDGs. We will rectify inequalities in access to water andsanitation services and protection from disaster risk. Also, we encourage every party con-cerned in both public
and private sectors to be involved and closely cooperate in activities to address water-related issues towards a
quality-oriented society.
Water problems are inextricably linked to food security and energy security. We will consider the various aspectsof water value, and deploy sustainable solutions by managing water resources more effectively starting fromglaciers, adopting a source to sea approach, and better integrating water resource management with dis-aster risk
reduction, environmental improvement, and greater water use efficiency.

For acceleration of efforts
To realize a quality-oriented society, we are determined to strengthen the development of quality infrastructure
for the water sector, integrating both hard and soft components, including knowledge, information and data10

management. In order to break free from the conventional approach and accelerate efforts, we will:
1. Improve governance. We encourage water-related institutions and civil society organizations to collab-orate
across sectors and generations, while enhancing capabilities and performance in the water sector. For growth
to proceed cooperatively in each river basin, we will share water-related lessons learnt in solving problems
and sharing prosperity, subject to international agreements and national laws.
2. Close the financial gap. Recognizing the contribution to growth from investing in water, building on the
Yangon Declaration adopted at the 3rd APWS in 2017,1 we acknowledge the importance of mobilizing
investment in each river basin not only by national governments but also by international and regionalorganizations, financial institutions, donor communities, subnational authorities, non-governmental organizations, private sector, and local communities.
3. Appeal to the science and technology community. We call upon the science and technology community
to provide context-specific innovations for resolving water problems, respecting the natural environment,
geographical features, and historical backgrounds of the local community. Additionally, we emphasize theimportance of promoting education and capacity building for a new generation of water professionals toensure, maintain, and improve a sound water cycle.

Outcomes of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
We acknowledge and support the Japanese Initiative, which was announced at the 4th APWS by the Government of Japan as one of the outputs to tackle water-related challenges. Together with the other participants at
the 4th APWS, in coordination with the Bonn Water Dialogues, the World Water Forum, the Dushanbe Water
Process, and other major preparatory processes, all discussions at this Summit in the context of this Declarationand the abovementioned perspectives will be communicated and shared at global water-related discussion processes, including the United Nations Conference for the Midterm Review of the Water Action Decade, to be heldin March 2023, as well as the 2nd Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference, the High-level Political Forum for
Sustainable Development, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the 27th Conference of the Parties tothe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the G7 and the G20. We will appeal for this Decla-ration to be taken
into consideration and built upon.
We collectively express our sincere appreciation to the City of Kumamoto and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum forhosting this Summit and for its successful conclusion.

Question from the Summit to participants

In all water-related sectors, the barriers, breakthroughs, opportunities, and ways forward for reform andim-provement in the three areas of governance, finance, and science and technology need to be identified
and thoroughly discussed. In particular, it is imperative to explore what role science and technology
should play in the cross-sectoral decision-making of leaders. We invite leaders, experts, scientists, and allother partici-pants gathered at the 4th APWS to discuss this question in view of the spirit of the above
Declaration, formulate particularly substantive answers, and make this an outcome of the Summit.

1

The Yangon Declaration committed to doubling investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
11

12

Kumamoto Initiative for Water (outline)
Japan will address water-related social issues faced by the Asia-Pacific region based on a "New Form of
Capitalism", specifically by fostering public-private partnerships and promoting digitization and innovation,
regarding the solution of social issues as a growth driver for sustainable development and the formation ofa resilient society and economy. For example, we will work for the development of "Quality Infrastructure"by making effective use of Japan's advanced technologies to contribute to the rebuilding of the international
economic order and the co-creation of value for the future of the Earth.
Based on this basic policy, Japan will press forward with both climate change adaptation and mitigation measures
as well as measures to improve people's basic living environment, thereby proactively making contributions tothe solution of social issues regarding water and to the sustainable economic growth of the Asia-Pacific region
and the entire world.

1. Promoting both climate change adaptation and mitigation measures
In the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for half of the world's population and more than one-third of theworld's GDP, the impact of climate change has already become apparent, with the number of flood events
impacting a population of 1,000 or more having nearly tripled over the past 30 years, along with an increase in
the magnitude of the damage.1
In response to the issue of climate change, Japan will make use of its advanced technologies to develop "Quality
Infrastructure", including dams, sewerage systems and agricultural facilities, for river basin sustainability andresilience against water-related disaster risks2 to reduce flood damage for climate change adaptation, while also
reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases for climate change mitigation.
To this end, Japan will foster the effective use of its hybrid technology to implement both climate change
adaptation and mitigation measures for dams, sewerage systems, agricultural and rural development, specificallyto enable the advanced operation of the facilities as "Quality Infrastructure" and the formulation of plans todevelop such infrastructure.
While promoting the development of "Quality Infrastructure" in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan will conduct
feasibility studies to propose the introduction of such infrastructure through public-private partnerships, thereby
contributing to the solution of local social issues and the sustainable development of the region.

(1) Promoting the development of "Quality Infrastructure"(Development of "Quality Dams")
Japan will develop and provide the hybrid technology that will enable the implementation of both climatechange adaptation and mitigation measures for dams. Specifically, for climate change adaptation, precipitation
observation and forecast technology will make it possible for water to be released from a dam to urgently lower
its water level before it rains again during the flood season to mitigate the risk of flood damage. Also, based on
the use of this same technology, the water level will be kept high during the non-flood period to improve theagricultural water supply function of the dam. Moreover, keeping the water level of the dam high after flooding

1
2

Source: EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database
Refer to the measures to reduce damage caused by flooding across a basin area based on cooperation between all relatedparties (national and local governments, companies, local citizens and others)
13and during the non-flood period will help enhance the hydroelectric power generation function of the dam forclimate change mitigation.
Also, by using Japan's technology to raise the height of a dam or enhance the water drainage facilities of a dam
while it is in use, countries will contribute to fostering the variability of the water level of dams to transform theminto "Quality Dams".
Japan will share information about these measures through international cooperation frameworks, such as theInternational Flood Initiative3 and the Typhoon Committee,4 in which Japan is proactively participating.

(Development of "Quality Sewerage Systems")
To reduce the risk of inundation for climate adaptation, Japan will also develop and provide hybrid technology
to install sewerage pipes without the need for road excavation, thus avoiding causing traffic congestion in urban
areas. It will also develop and provide hybrid technology to make effective use of sewage sludge for biomass
power generation to produce more renewable energy for climate change mitigation.
Japan will increase the number of member countries of the Asia Wastewater Management Partnership(AWaP)5 from the present six to share know-how, experience and solutions to meet challenges, including the
aforementioned measures, across Southeast Asia.

(Promoting "Quality Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement and Rural Development")
Furthermore, Japan will develop and provide hybrid technology to construct/ rehabilitate irrigation and drainage
facilities and make effective use of the rainfall storage function provided by paddy fields to reduce flooding
damage in rural areas as climate change adaptation, while fostering small hydroelectric power generation
installed to irrigation and drainage facilities and introducing agricultural water management systems with ICT
technology to realize climate change mitigation.
Japan will share knowledge and experience about these measures through the International Network for Water
and Ecosystem in Paddy Fields (INWEPF)6.

(2) Contribution to fill gaps of observation data
Japan will provide the data collected by the country's meteorological satellite "Himawari" and Advanced Land
Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) "Daichi-2" as well as by the core satellite of the Japan-US Global Precipitation
Measurement (GPM) mission to fill gaps of ground observation data, which are not available in many areas in the
Asia-Pacific region, so that sufficient precipitation observation and forecast data are available in such areas for3

Framework through which UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations University, the UN
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and other international organizations cooperate to foster flood management
across the world
4
In order to reduce the damage caused by typhoons in the Asia-Pacific region, the Economic and Social Commission for Asiaand the Far East (ESCAP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established this intergovernmental organizationin 1968, in which a total of 14 countries and regions participate
5
Framework for six countries (Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Japan) to discuss measures toaccelerate the development of sewage treatment facilities, which was established at the initiative of Japan at the 3rd AsiaPacific Water Summit held in 2017
6
International network for paddy farming and water environment founded under the leadership of Japan following theministerial meeting on water, food and agriculture held as a part of the 3rd World Water Forum (Kyoto, 2003), in which 17
countries (mainly in Asia) and related international organizations, such as the FAO, participated14the advanced operation of "Quality Infrastructure" and the formulation of plans to develop such infrastructure.
Japan will implement these measures leveraging international frameworks, e.g. Group on Earth Observations(GEO) for the continual enhancement of the earth observation network in the Asia-Pacific region. The GEO isa multilateral cooperation framework developed at the initiative of Japan in which 113 countries participate,including 22 in the Asia-Pacific region.

(3) Contribution to the enhancement of governance (systems, human resources and capacity)
By making use of AI/IoT, Japan will develop the precipitation forecast and flood analysis technologies that arenecessary for the advanced operation of "Quality Infrastructure" and for the formulation of plans to develop suchinfrastructure. Japan will then support the enhancement of the operational capabilities of the meteorological andhydrological bureaus of each country so that each country can visualize changes in local water-related disasterrisks by utilizing the technologies developed by Japan and can make decisions on the appropriateness of theinvestments to be made for the implementation of the related measures. Also, through international cooperation
frameworks, Japan will contribute to the selection of appropriate sites for community building while encouraging
companies to make ESG investments and conduct activities in line with their BCPs.
In addition, in order to promote science-based climate change adaptation measures including the development of"Quality Infrastructure" in consideration of climate change risks, Japan will make use of the Asia-Pacific Climate
Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT)7 for the enhancement of the latest scientific knowledge andinformation, support tools and related capabilities.
Moreover, Japan will implement training programs for countermeasures against water-related disasters by using
the earth observation data and climate change forecast data provided by the Data Integration and Analysis System(DIAS)8 and will conduct joint research for climate change forecasting in cooperation with universities andresearch institutes in each country, thereby contributing to human resource development and the establishmentof related systems.

(4) Use of economic measures to promote climate change countermeasures
In order to promote the advanced operation of "Quality Infrastructure" and the formulation of plans to develop
such infrastructure for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, Japan will expand the Joint Crediting
Mechanism (JCM)9 from the current 17 and will lead introducing advanced decarbonizing technologies.
In addition, Japan will expand its emissions reduction project for the systematic use of technologies as well as
for the packaging of multiple technologies, with a view to helping developing countries shift to a decarbonizedsociety and develop "Quality Infrastructure".

7

Information platform for climate change adaptation built by Japan to support decision-making in consideration of climatechange risks and to foster highly effective climate change adaptation measures in the Asia-Pacific region
8
Platform to accumulate, comprehensively analyze and provide voluminous data in the domain of the global environment,
including earth observation data and climate change forecast data
9
A scheme that Japan is implementing to quantitatively evaluate contributions to greenhouse gas emissions reductions andremovals which are achieved through the diffusion of leading decarbonizing technologies, products, etc. and use suchcontributions to achieve Japan's NDC.
15

2. Promoting measures to improve people's basic living environment
Water is one of the most basic and important elements for human life and is closely related to food and energy.
Accordingly, Goal 6 of the SDGs addresses water issues.10
In order to help individuals to improve their quality of life and be freed from poverty and social inequality,
Japan will foster the development of infrastructure to improve water supply, sanitation, hygiene and basic living
environments, thereby providing more people with access to safe water for the reduction of infant mortality andcontributing to the maintenance of good hygienic environments and the improvement of the environment ofpublic bodies.
In making these efforts, Japan will foster digitization and innovation for the operation of the infrastructuredeveloped by each country with an eye to having water supply and sanitation facilities that are equipped withadvanced technologies serve as "Quality Infrastructure" and a growth engine for the future.
Moreover, in expanding the use of "Quality Infrastructure" in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan will conduct feasibility
studies to propose the introduction of such infrastructure through public-private partnerships for the solution of
local social issues and sustainable economic growth.

(Promoting the development of "Quality Water Supply Facilities")
In order to help water utilities increase their operational efficiency and enhance their management foundation toachieve growth and make management improvements, Japan will make use of the know-how developed by its
own local governments to support water utilities in gaining more trust from local citizens. Japan will also provide
its technologies and give financial support for the expansion and updating of the water supply facilities of theseutilities.
Moreover, Japan will encourage in-field participation by companies in the private sector to help water utilities
expand their revenue basis by establishing a billing and tariff collection system based on the use of IoTtechnologies, improve their water leakage detection capability, reduce non-revenue water to improve theirprofitability, and introduce advanced technologies for the desalination of seawater and recycling of used water as
non-drinking water.
Also, Japan will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as stable water supply throughenergy saving by introduction of inverters for raw water intake pumps and the introduction of high efficiency
water pumps.

(Promoting the development of "Quality Sanitation Facilities")
For the development of healthy and sound communities and the improvement of the environment of public
water bodies, Japan will build a business model for the improvement of the water environment by drawing on
the expertise gained through its own experience in overcoming pollution issues and utilizing its water treatment
technologies under the Model Project for Improvement of Water Environment in Asia11.
10

SDG 6 states, "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all", based on the recognition of
the important role played by water in increasing the prosperity of more people, reducing social inequality and addressing
climate change
11
Project to build a business model for the improvement of the water environment through feasibility studies and on-site
demonstration tests conducted by companies and others on water treatment technologies in the Asia-Pacific region
16

Also, Japan will make use of its technologies and give financial support for the development of sewerage systems
and on-site treatment facilities in a localized manner in each area. It will also promote local capacity building forthe formulation of wastewater management master plans and the sustainable management and maintenance ofthe facilities.

3. Financial contribution for the future of the Asia-Pacific region
Japan will proactively make contributions for the creation of a "Quality-oriented Society" in the water-riskchallenged Asia-Pacific region in cooperation with each country and with international organizations with regard
to scientific technologies, governance such as systems, human resources and capacity, and capital. In such asociety, which is sustainable and resilient against water-related risks, people can enjoy a high quality of life withno one being left behind.
As part of the measures, Japan will provide financial assistance worth approximately 500 billion yen over the
next five years for the development of "Quality Infrastructure" through the use of its digital technologies andinnovation, in addition to continuing its conventional effort to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for more
people. Japan will thereby accelerate the water-related measures in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world
toward the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

17

4th APWS Chair's Summary
PreambleThis Chair's Summary shows the pathway toward quality growth and is part of the Kumamoto Declaration
process. In the Asia-Pacific Region, quality growth is by definition resilient, sustainable, and inclusive. This
Summary compiles the outcomes of two rich days of presentations and exchanges of views to answer questions
raised in the Declaration, which was adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water
Summit. It includes the key messages of four integration sessions, which built on the outcomes of nine thematic
sessions and two special sessions. Despite the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, in these sessions, Heads
of State and Government and other leaders, such as policymakers, heads of government agencies, prac-titioners,
scholars, representatives of civil society organizations, as well as the private sector, discussed a wide range ofwater-related issues, found challenges and opportunities from the perspective of governance, finance, as well
as science and technology, and proposed concrete actions alongside a wide range of perspectives shared by theparticipants in the sessions.
Over the decades, the Asia-Pacific Region has considerably improved in terms of water security but is currently
facing difficulties responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple kinds of hazard. The Region also needs toaddress water-related risks exacerbated by climate change. I hope the Heads of State and Government of Asia andthe Pacific, alongside the other leaders, will accelerate their concerted action, engage youth and the generations
to come, from the drawing board all the way to imple-mentation and evaluation, and lead the recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Outcomes of the Summit Sessions
Synthesized by the Overall Integration Session
The following outcomes of the Summit sessions are the answer to the inquiry by Heads of State and Government
at the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit (APWS):

1. Towards a Sustainable Society
As the primal contribution to building an overall sustainable society, the water sector should achieve all waterrelated SDG targets such as SDG 6.1-6.6 and 11.5. We are, however, alarmingly off-track from the path towards
the achievement of SDGs, and were so even before COVID-19. The water sector should transform itself in thethree key areas of governance, finance, as well as science and technology if we hope to achieve SDGs.
Governance. Mainstream integrity and transparency practices across water organizations as a foundation totransform all water subsectors. Invest in human resources, inter alia, to achieve this result. Creating transsectoral, stakeholder-inclusive and fully transparent governance is key. The concept of valuing water shouldbe embedded in the minds and actions of all stakeholders to promote behavioral change and facilitate holisticcollaboration by all. Specific recommendations include: use the digital trans-formation to improve and visualize
water management efficiency; integrate water management principles at national to provincial and district levels;
improve the decentralization of decision-making processes; and apply mentoring and peer-to-peer approaches tobuild the capacities and skills of small and emerging cities.
Basin-wide water management based on IWRM should be the norm rather than the exception. Increase policy

18coherence and develop legal and other frameworks at all levels, taking into account a source-to-sea and IWRM
approach to restore and keep a sound water cycle. Not only freshwater, but also solid water including glaciers,
aquifers, oceans, and islands should be within the scope of the framework. Further recommendations include:
strengthen regional legal frameworks and institutions; hold in-clusive regional dialogues; and upgrade existingarrangements to enhance transboundary cooperation. Governance and finance systems need to be tailored
towards the diverse climate, geographic, and socio-economic conditions of the Region (Asia+) and should be
developed based on research and dialogue. The issues of Small Island Development States (SIDS) should be given
special focus to address these challenges.
Finance. Given the off-track status of SDGs, drastically increase total investment in the water sector. Direct

and indirect benefit of water investment should be numerically articulated to convince finance institutions andtaxpayers and attract investors by developing and standardizing the analytic method for this purpose. Specificrecommendations include: encourage cost sharing and pooled resources, support water security actions frommultiple funding sources, and ensure that investment and management of water-related infrastructure andtechnologies are designed to be multi-purpose.
Science and Technology. We cannot improve what we cannot measure. The collection, archiving, and sharingof water data and information, including those of water risks, should be promoted through establishingappropriate frameworks and organizations, as well as prioritized investment. Transboundary information sharing
is particularly important. Building global observatories should be supported by the Region.
Water can broadly contribute to global socio-economic advancement by helping building peace and regional
stability. For this purpose, enhance the leaders' awareness that cooperation on water, particularly on water
emergencies, such as disasters, can be an agent for peace and promote effective actions; promote the use of"Principles to Foster Peace before, during, and after Water-related Disasters" which was launched at the APWS;
use traditional technologies such as cylindrical water distributers and a locally nurtured culture of peacefully
sharing water in society.

2. Towards a Resilient Society
COVID-19 reminded us how our society and systems were unprepared for sudden disturbance and changes.
Water can and should play a critical role to build a post-COVID-19 society that is more resilient and adaptive
to sudden and slow onset disturbances such as pandemics, disasters, and climate change. Decision-making byleaders should be quick and evidence based.
Science and Technology. Here, science and technology plays a critical role. For this: Position science andtechnology as "a game changer" towards a fully resilient post-corona society through three actions: Promote water
cycle consilience by acceler-ating the Open Science policy, particularly focusing on observation, modeling anddata integration; Foster "Facilitators", that is, catalytic beings who can lead the way toward resolving problems
by providing professional advice on-site using a broad range of scientific and indigenous knowledge; and Work
together beyond disciplines and sectors among different levels while taking an end-to-end approach.
Slow-onset changes should be given special attention. Yearly and seasonal hydrological patterns and those ofwater demand are changing quickly due to climate change and other socioeconomic changes. Those changes
should be addressed by adaptive policies, as well as resilient and green infrastructure. Demand management ofwater should be given higher attention.

19

3. Towards an Inclusive Society
An inclusive society is a must not only for the achievement of SDGs but also as an engine for socio-economic
growth, by fully tapping diverse capabilities and talents of human beings. The water sector should be an enabler.
For this purpose: make gender equality and social inclusion a core goal for any institution; to aim all budgets
to be at least responsive to gender and vulnerability; carry out gender and inclusivity analysis at all levels asa core component of research; empower youth to provide solutions and demonstrate their expertise in areasof technology, innovation, and data; encourage, initiate, and support Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE); tostrengthen Youth-Government Partnerships at all levels; promote direct investment in actions for, of, and by youth,
including startups.

4. Towards the UN 2023 Water Conference and Beyond
Water, Climate Change, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) were discussed in most thematic sessions and all
integration sessions of the 4th APWS. As such, connection and linkage of these three elements were the corefocus of the Summit. The resulting recommendations and proposals of action on these three issues reflect theRegion's rich experience and relevant practices. The Kumamoto Water Initiative announced by the Governmentof Japan at the Summit focuses on these three issues in an integrated manner. As such, we recommend that
Water, Climate Change and DRR are discussed as a key topic for global processes, partic-ularly the UN 2023
Water Conference. It is expected that the Kumamoto Water Initiative will make progress by enlarging the circle ofcommitments in the Region and beyond.
As related recommendations were and will be shared at major processes, such as the Bonn Conference, the9th World Water Forum, the Dushanbe Water Process, as well as the Lisbon Ocean Conference, messages andrecommendations of the APWS including those in this document should be closely connected with those of theother processes.
Commitments and actions of the APWS do not end today but will start again from tomorrow. The organizers
expect that all participants in the Summit will keep their steady progress and decisive steps towards the solutionof every water challenge and build a quality society in the Asia-Pacific Region and the world.

Yoshiro Mori
Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
President, Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Former Prime Minister of Japan

20

21

Program22

23

Opening Ceremony
Opening Remarks

Mr. Yoshiro Mori
Chair of the Joint Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum
Former Prime Minister of Japan

Good morning. In the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Their Excellencies Prime Minister
Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Prime Minister
Kausea Natano of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Deputy Prime Minister Sardor Umurzakov of
the Republic of Uzbekistan, and representing the host country, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, it is truly a greathonor and pleasure to be here today to organize the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Japan and abroad—including those in the Asia-Pacificcountries, from international organizations and to those in Kyushu and Kumamoto in Japan—your tremendous
efforts and cooperation make this summit a success.
In the preparation period for this fourth summit, we were faced with the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19
pandemic. In fact, I would also like to reiterate my sincere appreciation and respect to all those working in theareas of health, sanitation and hygiene, and medical care who are fighting infectious diseases, as well as to all
those working for water and sanitation infrastructure and services that support these people in the field, and to
everyone who is engaged in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Working Group II of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its contribution to the
Sixth Assessment Report in February this year, confirming for the first time that "human-induced climate change
has caused widespread adverse impacts to nature and people". It highlighted extreme weather events, such as
floods and droughts, as well as water scarcity and food insecurity, degraded ecosystems and energy issues among
the crises of concern that are facing humanity. These are precisely problems of water security, which the AsiaPacific Water Summits have been addressing these past 15 years.
In 2007, we organized the world's first summit for the resolution of water-related issues of the Asia-Pacific region,in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture in Japan. I remember I had said in my opening address at the time that our strategy
must be to focus on how to adapt to the impacts of climate change. And now, those words have become a reality.
Water is the cornerstone of national and regional prosperity. And human wisdom is necessary to respond to andshare the blessings and threats to that water. In the context of environmental, economic, and social connections,resolving water-related issues is essential to achieving human security.
In closing, I hope that the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit will be a valuable opportunity for leaders from every field of
endeavor and for all those who have participated in this Summit, either face-to-face or online, to actively discuss andshare decisive and continued actions that will lead to enhancing the quality of all our societies. Thank you very much.
24

Remarks

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Prior to my address, I would like to express my sincere condolences to all the victims of the 2016 Kumamoto
Earthquake and the heavy rains in recent years such as those of 2020. I would hereby extend my deepest
sympathies to families in bereavement and also to those who survived the catastrophies. I hope that recovery
from the disasters will proceed smoothly and steadily.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to join online with all of you from the Asia-Pacific Region along with the rest of the world in the
4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Kumamoto City.
The host city of Kumamoto is blessed with water. Abundant groundwater is distributed to all of its 740,000
citizens from this single source of water supply, which is actually an exceptional case in the world. The
municipality, private sectors and citizens are jointly engaged in activities to foster groundwater and conserve theaquatic environment so that this rich resource is securely passed on to the next generation. The city has been on
the way to recovery after having been severely affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake. It is thus meaningful that
the Summit is being held with the theme of "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next
Generation" in this sustainable and resilient city.
Water is at the origin of all living things. While water benefits us in so many ways, it also threatens us in the formof water-related disasters, such as flooding. Water is a cross-cutting issue that is closely connected to poverty,
education, gender and other issues of the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. We were in fact reminded
how water and sanitation is fundamental in maintaining our health when the COVID-19 pandemic threatened us
all. It is also a significant challenge to secure water and sanitation in areas affected by disasters or conflicts.
It is hoped that the leaders of countries participating in the Summit will share their visions and thoughts.
International organizations, national agencies, NGOs, experts, and many others are expected to bring together
their wisdom through discussions and try to find solutions for various water challenges and turn them into
concrete action. I understand that many young people have also been invited to the Summit. It is very meaningfulthat the youth, who will take up the challenges of the future, should join in discussions and action on water
throughout the region, and I look forward to their contributions.
The United Nations will hold a conference dedicated to water next year for the first time in 46 years. I sincerely
hope that this 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit will bear fruitful results and become a momentous step towards
meeting water challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region and around the world, and thereby will bring about peaceand happiness for all human beings.
Thank you very much.

25

Greetings[Tentative Translation]

Mr. Fumio Kishida
Prime Minister of Japan

With the presence of your Majesties, the Emperor and Empress online, and the participation of Your Excellencies
and Distinguished guests, on behalf of the government of the host country, I would like to wish you all a warm
welcome to the Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto, a region blessed with plentiful water attractions.
While Kumamoto is blessed with abundant groundwater from Mt. Aso, we have also experienced many disasters
related to heavy rain, including the flooding in July 2020 which resulted in $3 billion in damages and a total of
69 dead and missing people. Kumamoto was also hit by major earthquakes in April 2016.
The entire region and the country as a whole are collaborating on recovery and reconstruction and also working
to strengthen "National Resilience" and "Disaster Prevention".
Tomorrow, I will visit Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto, the area affected by the flooding in July 2020, to observe theconditions of the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.
I am delighted to be able to hold this summit here in Kumamoto and welcome participants from overseas in spiteof the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
About 130 years ago, Kitasato Shibasaburo, a Kumamoto native who studied medical science, discovered theplague bacillus, a global threat. His devotion to fighting infectious diseases is a shining light for humanity.
On this occasion, our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have reaffirmed how crucial it is for global
nations to collaborate in solidarity to overcome the common threats to humanity and collectively develop.
I consider it very meaningful that we are gathered here for this Summit to discuss water-related issues, which areessential for the survival of the human race, and working to build a quality-oriented society together.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all how critical things we took for granted like clean and safe treatedwater for handwashing are.
The effects of climate change are manifesting themselves as social issues in the Asia-Pacific region andworldwide. Changes in water-related issues are especially striking, including severe water-related disasters thatare more common than before.
In addition, water is also closely related to various other issues such as poverty, food, the environment, energy,
peace, and security.
Who has the responsibility for all these social issues related to water?
The answer is "us" - the leaders.
There is an old saying that "those who govern water govern the country".
And now, governing water means significant contribution to solving global challenges.
In Japan, following the first Asia-Pacific Water Summit in 2007, the Headquarters for Water Cycle Policy, headedby the Prime Minister, was established to strongly promote water cycle policies.
26

This Summit presents an opportunity, and all of us gathered here are responsible for carrying out a united effort tolead actions for resolving water issues to promote resilient and sustainable development.
Also, I would like to express my deepest respect for the leadership of former Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro, thechairman who has led this Summit since the first time it was held.
Personally, I have also been actively involved in solving global water problems, including participation in the
2nd World Water Forum in the Hague, the Netherlands, in the year 2000 in my role as the Parliamentary ViceMinister of Construction at that time.
Through my participation in this Summit as Prime Minister of the host country, I feel compelled to further
accelerate our actions to resolve water issues in the Asia Pacific region.
I am confident that the discussion and outcomes of this Summit will not only contribute to the Asia-Pacificregion, but also help consolidate and underpin future global discussions on water issues, disaster prevention, andclimate change.
I believe now is the right time to take a major step toward solving the world's water problems by unifying thewisdom and determination of the Asia-Pacific region, starting here, in Kumamoto.
In conclusion, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers and all those who have contributed
to the hosting of this event.
Thank you very much for your attention.

27

Greetings

Mr. António Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations

Your Majesty Emperor Naruhito,
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida,
Distinguished Delegates,
I thank Japan for hosting the fourth Asia-Pacific Water Summit and former
Prime Minister Mr. Yoshiro Mori for championing this important initiative.
I am deeply grateful to His Majesty Naruhito for his lifelong leadership and advocacy on global water issues –including as honorary president of theUnited Nations' Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation and Patron of the Global Water Partnership.
Water is essential to every aspect of sustainable development.
Yet we are facing a growing water crisis and Sustainable Development Goal 6 is badly off track.
The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution is worsening, putting severe pressureson this precious resource.
Half of the world's population experiences severe water scarcity for at least some part of the year.
Droughts and heatwaves are becoming more intense and more frequent.
Sea-level rise is driving salt-water intrusion into coastal aquifers.
The loss of snowmelt water and glaciers further reduce water supplies.
Across Asia-Pacific – the region with the lowest per capita water availability in the world – the situation isespecially troubling.
High population growth, unsustainable consumption and poor management all threaten the region's clean water
sources.
The ramifications run wide and deep.

28

Water scarcity reverses economic and social gains, undermines human rights, and threatens peace and security.
The water crisis demands a holistic, systemic, and multilateral response.
I see three priorities:
First, more financing.
We must dramatically increase financing – public, private, and blended – for adaptation and mitigation of climate
impacts, improved preparedness, and more sustainable water management, and fully address the dramatic needsof developing countries.
Second, better cooperation.
We must transform our silo-based approach to water management to better tackle water stress, combat climatechange and enhance resilience.
We need all actors and sectors to work together to improve how we balance water needs of nations,communities, and households.
Third, accelerated action.
We are approaching the halfway point of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable
Development.
Next March, the United Nations Water Conference – the first UN conference on water since the 1970s – provides
a unique opportunity to promote policy dialogue, exchange best practices and forge partnerships.
Your Summit is an important milestone as we together strive towards a more sustainable world.
I wish you every success.
Thank you.

29

Greetings from the Host City

Mr. Kazufumi Onishi
Mayor of Kumamoto City

On this occasion of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit, I would like to extend my greetings on behalf of the hostcity.
It is a great honor to be able to host today's Opening Ceremony of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit on such agrand scale with the online presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, with the in-person attendanceof His Excellency Mr. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Honourable Mr.
Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, His Excellency Dr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao
People's Democratic Republic, His Excellency Mr. Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, and Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of the host country Japan and with the online attendance of
His Excellency Dr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and His Excellency Mr. Pham Minh
Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet nam.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard in organizing this Water
Summit, and, on behalf of the host city, I extend a warm welcome to you all.
Kumamoto City is proud of its wonderful history and culture, not least of which is the splendid Kumamoto Castle
standing tall in the center of the city. The city is also blessed with a natural environment featuring crystal-clear
groundwater, abundant greenery, and plentiful agricultural and fisheries products.
The crystal-clear groundwater, which is the source of the city's water supply, is described as "mineral water ontap." It is a precious resource that enriches our lives and is the pride of Kumamoto.
This bountiful water environment is sustained by the flow of water into the ground facilitated by the exceedingly
water-permeable geology of our local caldera - one of the largest in the world - formed by four large pyroclastic
eruptions of Mt. Aso as well as our infrastructure from 400-years of paddy agriculture.
In order to protect this precious water resource for future generations, Kumamoto City declared itself a"Groundwater Preservation City" in 1976. Since then, it has been working on groundwater conservation andriver basin flood control beyond our municipal area through collaboration between residents, businesses, andgovernment and in cooperation with other local governments whose representatives are present here today.
These activities have been widely recognized around the world, including when we received the "Water for Life"
UN-Water Best Practices Award in 2013.

30

To host this Water Summit, which is positioned as one of the milestones of the UN-International Decade for
Action on Water leading up to its midterm review, is a great honor, and we will do everything we can to makethis Water Summit a safe and secure conference.
As the organizer of this Summit, I am confident that the sharing of information on water-related issues andinitiatives as well as the robust discussion among participants here will provide a pathway of hope for the futureof water not only in the Asia-Pacific region but throughout the world.
Hosting this Water Summit has another significant meaning for us.
As you know, the Kumamoto Earthquake struck here on April 14, 2016, causing extensive damage throughout theprefecture and bringing about a drastic change to our beloved, beautiful homeland.
Since that day, the people of Kumamoto City and the people of Kumamoto Prefecture have worked hard together
for recovery and reconstruction, and, with the kind support of people in Japan and overseas, steady progresshas been made in reconstruction. I am delighted that this day has come, and I would like to express my sincere
gratitude to everyone who has supported us.
Along with a display of the strong recovery that we have made from that disaster, we would like to take thisopportunity of the Water Summit to convey our message of gratitude for the support we have received fromeveryone in Japan and overseas.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my sincere wishes for the success of the Water Summit and that great strides
can be made toward resolving the world's water problems. I would also like to extend my best wishes for theongoing development of the countries represented here today, and I wish everyone success in your endeavors.

31

Report from the Asia-Pacific Water Forum

Mr. Mark Pascoe
Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water ForumYour highness…
Your Excellency, Prime Minister…

Welcome by Governing Council
On behalf of the Chair of the Governing Council of Asia Pacific Water Forum, Mr Ravi Narayanan it gives me
great please to welcome you all to the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto, Japan. Mr Narayanan isunfortunately not able to be here and that is a great shame as he has led the APWF so expertly and with suchinclusive style for the last xx years. Can I also include the Vice Chairs of the Governing Council, Ms Chunghua
Wu and Professor Eduardo Araral in this welcome.

The Asia Pacific Water Forum
The APWF was set up in 2006 at the suggestion of Asian Water Ministers attending the World Water Forum in
Mexico to help build partnerships and share knowledge about water issues and their solutions based on thegrowing experience in different countries of the Asia Pacific region based on political commitment at the highest
level. At that time the water leaders of the world were focussed on the Millennium Development Goals; since2015 we have been focussed on the Global Goals we refer to as the SDG's. In a sense the formation of APWF
anticipated SDG 17 (cooperation, collaboration and partnerships). We do of course have a strong focus on SDG
6 though we understand that the water goals cannot be achieved without working on many of the 17 goals.
These partnerships bridge international development banks like ADB, elements of the United Nations family like
UNESCAP, apex bodies like GWP, academic and capacity building organisations like International WaterCentre
and peak national bodies like the Japan Water Agency.
It was set up thanks to the initiative of the Japan Water Forum (which volunteered to be the secretariat) strongly
supported by the Asian Development Bank and UNESCAP. It was also decided to keep the organisation lean so it
did not operate in a bureaucratic manner but rather on the basis of consensus and partnership. The Public Utilities
Board in Singapore volunteered to host meetings of the Governing Council and it has done so since 2006.
APWF from the beginning has been about bringing together high-level policy and decision makers together.
One of the early initiatives is the partnership with the ADB to develop the Asia Water Development Outlook
which is now a highly respected benchmarking tool for National Water Security that is being used by32

governments and others for investment prioritisation that is now in its 4th edition.

The Summits
So far there have been three summits (the one in Kumamoto being the fourth) starting in Beppu, Japan, thenChiang Mai in Thailand and then Yangon in Myanmar. From the beginning it was decided that this was more thana water minister's meeting but should be held at the level of heads of government.
The themes of these events have been consistent with the Forums focus areas over time and always with themission of the APWF being to seek political commitment at the highest level in the region to the cause of water
security and to promote the active exchange of information, knowledge and skills across institutions and people
in Asia and the Pacific in the pursuance of water security as an indispensable part of the development process.
The APWF has established a well-coordinated network of its member organizations that is founded upon their
willingness to meet the needs of decision-makers, policy-makers, and practitioners and identify solutions toward
water security for sustainable development.

Global Partnerships
APWF has become a key regional water network for other global events such as the Stockholm International
Water Week and the World Water Forum. APWF has acted as the co-ordinator of Asia Pacific regional inputs
to deliberation at the World Water Forums in Turkey, Franc, Korea and a few weeks ago in Senegal. We will be
participated again this year in the Asia Focus sessions in Stockholm Water Week under a partnership agreementwith the Stockholm International Water Institute.
Also APWF is now one of the key members of Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation of the Mid-term review of the UN
Water Decade (2018-28). We aim to deliver the outputs of the APWF activities, particularly of the outputs of the 4th
APWS, towards the Mid-term review for accelerating the actions that will be developed in New York in early 2023.

Acknowledgements
On behalf of the Asia Pacific Water Forum, its lead organisations and it many members in from across the region
I thank you for joining us here at this 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit. I particularly want to thank the Japan Water
Forum for it stewardship of the development of this event and also I must thank the small team who have put inan enormous effort to develop this event under the cloud of Covid-19.
We still have an enormous task ahead of us to achieve water security for our region and I do think of our current
time being that of the "Asian century" where we need to have managing water, sanitation, environment andresponding to climate change for our people at the very top of political agendas.

Thank you33

34

Youth Declaration of Summit Opening

Students from Kumamoto Kita High School,
Kumamoto Prefecture

Today, we face unprecedented challenges because of COVID-19.
Our school lives and relationships with family and friends have completely changed.
And yet, with a courageous spirit, we continue to look ahead, ready to take on all the challenges and difficulties
we face currently and will face in the future.
We know that water is an everyday and truly precious source of life.
However, water can also be fearsome when it rages out of control.
We want to speak from our hearts to the grown-up versions of ourselves and to all the people we will meet in the
future about the importance of protecting(=learning ) about water.
Leaders of the Asia-Pacific region here today, please guide us.
Now, we announce the start of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

35

Commemorative Speech
Hearts, Minds and Water- Touching Water in People's Beliefs -His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Prior to my lecture, I would like to express my sincere condolences to all the victims of disasters that haveoccurred in Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan, as well as in other countries around the world. Please accept mysympathy for all who are affected by disasters.
Your Excellency Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Chair of the Asia Pacific Water Summit,
Your Excellencies Participating Heads of State and Government,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Prologue – People and Water in Kumamoto –I am pleased to give the memorial speech at this Asia Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto City, where water andpeople have had a profound relationship. This area was, unfortunately, hit by recurrent floods in recent years.
However, Kumamoto Prefecture has been known as a place of lush greenery and scenic beauty.
Kumamoto Prefecture is topographically characterized by the volcanic calderas of Mt. Aso and Mt. Kinpoh.
Shirakawa, meaning the White River, is the subject of a poem composed by the poetess Higaki in the Gosen
Waka Anthologies.
"I collect water from the White Riverthat reminds me of elapsed years
as my dark hair has turned into the colorthat merges with the name of the river"In the same way, the Midori River, the Kikuchi River, the Chikugo River, and the Kuma River bring precious
water to the fields. Also the abundant groundwater that permeates the earth supports people's lives and is alsoa source of richness and vitality for the city. In particular, the area around Kumamoto city stands on pyroclastic
fall deposits, so rainfall readily permeates through the layers of the deposits, which helps to form a large aquiferof quality water. This groundwater is the single source of domestic water supply for all of the 740,000 citizens,a rare occurrence amongst the large cities of the world. This is possible because many citizens volunteer toconserve this good water environment. Kumamoto City, therefore, deserves to be called a "Pristine Water City".
Plentiful water in Japan, including Kumamoto Prefecture, has fostered fertile lands, which has nurtured a uniqueculture and society through long standing interaction between people and water. Through the history of therelationships between people and water, the culture and the society have been formed, not only in Japan, buteverywhere in the Asia Pacific and the world. If you look around the world at various cultures and civilizations,
you may find that water not only upholds the lives of people but affects the relationships between people and36

nature, and even their conception of nature and the world. There are cases in Japan and the world in whichpeople's appreciation and fear of water led them to see water as a means to purify their minds and hearts andeven a subject of their worship, leading to a worship of water. Today, I would like to talk on this topic of therelation between our hearts and minds and water, by examining folk religion related to water.

2. Mountain Worship and Water
Mountain worship is a form of folk religion widely found in Japan. Famous examples in Japan are the worshipof Mt. Fuji, Mt. Hakusan, Mt. Ohmine, and Mt. Daisen. Shrines that deify those mountain gods have spread out
all over the country. Worship of mountains is found not only in Japan but throughout the world. They develop inplaces where close ties exist between characteristic mountains and ethnic groups. In Asia, Mt. Kailas in China is asacred mountain for Buddhism and Hinduism. Many people visit the mountain for pilgrimage. Mt. Machapucharewhich I visited in Nepal and Mt. Chomo Lhari in Bhutan are also worshiped as sacred mountains (Fig.1).

37

Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture is widely known as a representative of active volcanoes of Japan. It has been asubject of worship. The famous crater of Nakadake (Fig.2) contains water at its bottom and the god Take-iwatatsuno-mikoto is enshrined as a subject of worship. A legend says the god cut open the ring mountain of Aso todischarge water dammed up in the Aso caldera, thus producing fertile paddy fields. His son, the god Hayamikatama-no-mikoto, is enshrined as a water-distributing god at the Aso Shrine at the foot of the mountain (Fig.3).
As seen in this case, it is said that there is a religious fusion which has existed since ancient times of the worshipof a volcano god in Mt. Aso and the worship of an agricultural god and a water god through the opening up of
the Aso Valley.

38

This picture shows water springs abundant in Kumamoto City (Fig.4). There are a number of prominent water
sources such as Lake Ezu and Mt. Kinpoh Springs in Kumamoto City. There are also some scenic places suchas the Shirakawa Water Source in Kumamoto Prefecture where abundant pure water springs forth. Not only
the worship of Mt. Aso, but also many of these prominent water sources are the subjects of worship, and small
shrines are located beside the water sources (Fig.5).

39

Let us turn our eyes to the relationship between water and Mt. Hakusan, a prominent sacred mountain of Japan,
which straddles Ishikawa, Gifu, and Fukui Prefectures (Fig.6). The altitude of Mt. Hakusan exceeds 2,700 meters,
and it is the source of major rivers such as the Tedori River, Kuzuryu River, and Nagara River. Presumably becauseof this, since ancient times, Hakusan has been referred to as "God the Parent that sustains life", and also worshipped
as a god of agriculture and water. It is said that Hakusan was established as a sacred mountain in 717 A.D. of Nara
period by a Buddhist monk named Taicho. Its 1,300-year anniversary was celebrated in 2017. As you can see, there
is much mountain worship in Japan that is associated with legends and worship that is connected with water.
In addition the water-related folk religion is connected not only to mountains but also to people's livelihoods
such as forests and forestry. These pictures show the Shikobuchi Shrine in the Ado River Basin in Shiga Prefecture(Fig.7). In this watershed forestry used to prosper. Logged timber was built into rafts that had to flow through many
dangerous spots along the river to reach the market places. It is said that thus a network of "Shikobuchi Shrines"
was formed to pray for the safety of raft navigation. As we have seen, people's various desires, appreciation, andthoughts for water have led to the folk worship of water.

40

3. Water beliefs connecting the Asia Pacific Region(1) –Journey of the Nagas–
Now, let us take a look at the connections in the Asia-Pacific Region through water-related beliefs. I will first of all
take up divine snakes, and then dragons as a clue to exploring the connection.
Please have a look at this figure (Fig.8). These are earthen wares of the Jomon Period. They are adorned withpatterns of snakes, which suggest that the snake was a subject of worship during this period. In fact, there areexamples of snake worship in many parts of the world besides Japan, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, andAfrica (Fig.9), where the snakes were considered as gods or messengers of gods. There are numerous mythologies
and legends of snakes, which are in many cases associated with hydrological and meteorological events, suchas heavy rain, drought, praying for rain, rainbows, and clouds. There are various explanations. One reason isthat meandering rivers resemble snakes, for example, the shapes of rainbows and lightning are similar to thoseof snakes, and that snakes stay or live in water. In any case, it seems certain that simple forms of water worshipdeveloped through deifying snakes at local levels before major trans-national religions such as Buddhism and
Hinduism prevailed. One example from Japan is the story of Yamata-no-orochi, or a huge snake with eight heads
and tails, which appears in the book of Japanese history "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki".

41

After the rise of civilization in each region of the Asia Pacific, the propagation of major religions and the spreadof related legends and icons took place in tandem. In particular the propagation of Buddhism influenced people's
hearts and minds in the region (Fig.10), while concepts such as those of snake gods and associated icons started
to move across the continent along with it. This photo shows Nagas, or the snake gods of Hinduism (Fig.11), and
it is said to be modelled on the poisonous cobra. As Hinduism places importance on purification with water fromthe Ganges River, water gods are hence given importance. There are numerous statues of Nagas, half-human andhalf-snake, on the reliefs of many Hindu temples in India.

I visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia in 2012 (Fig.12). There were many reliefs and sculptures of Nagas in the temple(Fig.13). Above all there was a stone relief depicting the Hindi genesis story of the "Churning of the Ocean of Milk"in the first corridor of the temple (Fig.14). The relief depicts a scene where in search of immortal portion, as shownin the photo at the bottom, the gods of virtue and those of evil are pulling the Naga coiled around a mountain in
the center, from both the head on the left and the tail on the right. Another story, of the birth of Cambodia, reveals
that a Naga drank up the water that had immersed the entire ground, thereby creating the country, which suggests
the strong relationship between Nagas and water. Statues of Nagas are also found in Indonesia (Fig.15).
42

43

Now, I would like to take a look at the examples of Japan. Please see this picture (Fig.16). This is a statue of the
god Ugajin of Honzanji Temple in Osaka, Japan. Many Ugajin statues with a human head resting on a coiled
snake body are also seen in Japan. This picture shows a statue of the Goddess Benzaiten on Chikubushima Islandin Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan (Fig.17), and on its head lies a statute of Ugajin.

44

Speaking of Benzaiten shrines, famous ones are those on Itsukushima in Hiroshima Prefecture, one of three mostscenic spots in Japan. Another is the one on Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture that is known for yachting sports. Bothof them are enshrined on islands, places related to water (Fig.18). Furthermore, being also an island in the Shinobazu
Pond in the Ueno quarter of Tokyo, an island was created to resemble Chikubujima Island in Lake Biwa, on whicha shrine that enshrines Benzaiten was built. I also heard that there is an island enshrining Benzaiten in Kumamoto
Prefecture. Also, at the summit of Mt. Misen in Omine Mountain Range in Nara Prefecture, a well-known site formountain worship, there is a rear shrine of Tenkawa Benzaiten (Fig.19). Mt. Ohmine is the source of the Yoshino
River which has provided water to the Kii Plain since ancient times and later even to the Yamato Plain thanks to its
abundant water flow, from which we can infer the close relationship between water and the worship of Benzaiten. In
Japan, Benzaiten is listed as one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, and is familiarly known to people as "Benten-sama".
Benzaiten had her origin in the Water Goddess Saraswati in India. The concept of a water goddess seemingly migrated
along with the propagation of Buddhism. The name "Saraswati" means "the one holding water", which suggests thatthe snake and the god of water are closely related (Fig.17). As I have explained, water beliefs related to Naga, or
snakes, travelled across the continent and the ocean and left a gigantic spiritual vestiges on the region.

By the way, the palace which I moved to last September was the former residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Interestingly, when I was studying the history of the residence, in the 18th century of the Edo period, I was
surprised to find that there was a Benzaiten enshrined on a small island in a moat on the palace premises, and I
felt that ties to water are continuing.
45

4. Water beliefs connecting the Asia Pacific Region(2) –Journey of Dragons–
Let us now look at the case of dragons. The dragon is an imaginary creature of legend and folklore. It is said thatthe concept of the dragon took shape thousands of years ago in China even before the beginning of Buddhism
and other religions. These photos show such examples (Fig.20). Both in the Chinese First Dragon in the Yangshao
Culture in 6,000 B.C. or earlier and in the Jade Dragon in the Hongshan Culture in 3,000 B.C. or earlier, the shapesof dragons were already appeared. The dragon in China is also a symbol of authority, and is said to govern water,
and thus has been the subject of prayer for rainfall since ancient times. As there were no snakes such as the Indiancobras in China, it is assumed that this ancient concept of dragons was carried to East Asia and South-East Asia,
combined with the teaching of Buddhism relating to the snakes (Fig.21).

46

The Japanese dragons are thought to be a result of the propagation of this conceptual formation in ancient China.
They are often enshrined as water gods. There is a cave in which a dragon is said to live in Murou, Nara Prefecture.
A ritual praying for rain was performed in the cave in the 9th Century A.D. according to a historical document titled"Nihon Kiryaku" (Fig.22). Also, as Sanetomo Minamoto, the third Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, wrote:"People's sorrow will unbearably increase
When rain falls in excess.
May I plead to you, Great Eight Dragons,
To make the downpours cease."
Dragons became the subject of prayer, especially during extreme weather such as floods and droughts, giving
rise to folktales in many parts of Japan about water dragons (Fig.23). Among dragons, there are nine-headed ones
called "Kuzuryu". It is said that Mt. Hakusan and Mt. Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture, which I introduced earlier,are closely related to the worship of Kuzuryu. This picture shows Mt. Togakushi (Fig.24). A theory says that theunique jagged shape of the peak was thought to resemble a multi-headed dragon, and was worshipped as the "GodKuzuryu", which led to the origin of the Togakushi belief. Looking at this picture, this theory seems to some extent
to be convincing.

47

By the way, a hybrid and imaginary creature of a snake and a turtle from China called "Ga-meh" appears in the
Myoken Festival in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Fig.25). "Ga-meh" was said to be the 6th child of a
dragon in ancient China. Considering that the festival is held for good harvests, the close ties between water anddragons - as well as between Japan and Asia - are felt even in a cultural event like a festival.

In this way, you can see the process whereby a people's appreciation and fear of water developed into myths andidols in the concrete form of snakes and dragons. Furthermore, they amalgamated with the newly introduced
teachings, and migrated across the Asia-Pacific Region, while gradually changing in shape and concept.

48

So far, we have seen cases where simple forms of worship related to water arose from a people's daily relations
with water and then developed into deeper beliefs, which migrated across the region along with the propagationof religions. Thoughts on water, appreciation and fear of water, taking on the images of snakes and dragons,
travelled from the continent over the sea and became a part of the cultures that connected various countries
across the Asia-Pacific region. The deep relationship between people and water over the ages and distance seemto have formed a stable foundation for sympathy and solidarity for all people in this region.

5. Towards the achievement of the international common goals of water
Fifteen years ago in the first Asia Pacific Water Summit in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, I presented my experiences in
Nepal where I encountered women and girls queuing up for the water from a shared water pipe. This triggered
my interest in water issues (Fig.26). While for some there is water, safe and easily available by turning on a tap,
for others, there is water only available after treading hilly paths and waiting for hours. From this photo scene,are projected the challenges for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with "no one left
behind", such as gender equality, health and education in the relationship between water and people.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations agreed in 2015, has set common goals andtargets among the international community including the Asia-Pacific Region to meet these challenges. Now that
more than one third of the implementation period has already passed, the concerned UN agencies have sounded
wake-up calls for the delays in achievements. In order for all people in the world to have access to safe drinking
water and adequate sanitation and hygiene, it is necessary to double the current pace of improving facilities andexpanding services. Furthermore, in order for all people in the world to have access to hygiene services such as
drinking water in each home and to have individual toilets by 2030, it is said that the current rates of progressshould be quadrupled.
On the other hand, water-related disasters such as floods and droughts are occurring at an alarming pace.
It is in fact feared that these phenomena may be aggravated due to climate change. Although recovery andreconstruction from the floods are in progress in Kumamoto Prefecture, the efforts need continuously to be further
promoted. Measures in the future are also considered to be urgently required. Various issues caused by lack orexcess of water bring distress and instability to people and society. The challenges of the relationship between
people and water is an urgent issue that we must work on in solidarity.
49

I sincerely hope that all people will be able to benefit from the abundant water and attain good and sustainable
lives, which will eventually lead to peace and prosperity for the Region of the Asia Pacific and the whole world.
I would like to express my deep respect to those who are engaged in building regional cooperation and stability
through water around this region and the whole world.
As I have explained through many stories today, while supporting people's lives, water brings peace andhappiness to people's minds and hearts, and even leads to sympathy and solidarity in and across the regions.
It is my wish that everyone attending this meeting will discuss the relationship between people and water fromvarious perspectives, come up with concrete directions for water-related challenges and their solutions, andrenew your resolve towards the achievement of the water-related goals and targets common in the international
community. I, too, would like to deepen my understanding and consideration towards solving the water
challenges.
Thank you.

50

Heads of State and Government Meeting
Speech by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister, Japan

Mr. Fumio Kishida
Prime Minister of Japan

I feel so honored to be given this opportunity to share my commitment to global sustainable development andthe creation of a resilient society and economy with you at this Water Summit held here in Kumamoto with theparticipation of leaders from throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Water is a blessed resource that underpins our society. In the form of natural disasters, however, it can pose athreat to human life and prosperity. Water issues are thus deeply related to a range of challenges in society suchas climate change, natural disasters, sanitation, and poverty.
In recent years, the frequency of water-related disasters has been increasing across the world. In Japan, thefrequency of torrential rains has increased by about 40 percent compared with 30 years ago, and in the AsiaPacific region, the number of water-related disasters impacting large populations has nearly tripled over the past
30 years.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to recognize once more the importance of maintaining ahygienic environment related to water. Also, using water to improve local sanitary environments is essential forthe eradication of poverty.
I am aiming for the realization of a "New Form of Capitalism", solving social issues the international community
faces such as climate change and poverty through public-private partnerships and the promotion of digitizationand innovation, while supporting sustainable economic development.
This also applies to the solution of social issues related to water. I am committed to leading the implementationof measures to develop quality infrastructure by making use of Japan's advanced technologies with the New Formof Capitalism concept as a base, thereby simultaneously contributing to both the resolution of social issues andsustainable economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
In Japan, in order to deal with climate change, we are promoting digitization and technological development forthe maximum use of infrastructure, including dams.
For instance, we are pushing ahead with the development of technologies to optimize the AI-based forecastingof the inflow of water into dams and the operation of dams, while enhancing mutual data linkage among 1,500
dams in Japan for the maximization of their flood-control effects. In addition, we are working to make optimaluse of related infrastructure such as sewerage systems and agricultural facilities and to make effective use of land,51

as well as more proactive use of the water storage function provided by rice paddy fields and reservoirs, in orderto improve river basin sustainability and resilience to water-related disaster risks.
To this end, it is essential to increase the precision of precipitation and flood forecasts. Accordingly, we arepressing forward with research and development utilizing our meteorological satellite "Himawari", which isequipped with a cutting-edge observation sensor, and our supercomputer "Fugaku", which boasts computing
speed ranked No. 1 in the world for four consecutive terms.
As I mentioned in my opening speech for the Summit, heavy rains hit Kumamoto and caused tremendous damage
in 2020. This disaster was due to the unpredicted formation of a linear rainband. With a strong commitment topreventing the reoccurrence of similar damages, we have been promoting research and development throughindustry-academia-government cooperation, and we can now predict the formation of similar linear rainbands
using the world's most advanced technology in our Fugaku super computer.
Moreover, by disclosing big data about weather events and the water levels of rivers to the private sector and byproactively adopting digital technologies they develop, we are working to minimize human losses caused bydisasters through measures such as sending out evacuation alerts and related information via smartphones in realtime.
In addition, we will make flexible use of water by utilizing our weather forecast technology for the promotion ofhydroelectric power generation, thereby also contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality.
Through these measures implemented by both the public and private sectors capitalizing on Japan's advanced
technologies, we aim to solve social issues, which will simultaneously help drive sustainable economic growth.
Today, I have the honor to declare the "Kumamoto Initiative for Water".
Japan has accumulated an abundance of water-related knowledge and technology. We will share this expertisewith other countries in the Asia-Pacific region from the perspectives of governance—namely of systems, humanresources, and capacity—and of finance, as well as science and technology.
The Kumamoto Initiative for Water will be implemented using two approaches to contribute to the creation ofquality-oriented society in the Asia-Pacific region.
The first approach is to "implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures".
Japan's hybrid technology can be applied at more than 30,000 existing dams in the Asia-Pacific region, rapidly
increasing their flood control and water supply functions for climate change adaptation while simultaneously
enhancing their hydroelectric power generation capacity for climate change mitigation, all without causing any
additional environmental impacts.
Furthermore, through the provision of Japan's cutting-edge technologies, we will contribute to improvement ofagricultural irrigation and drainage facilities, more effective use of the rainwater storage function of paddy fields,
promotion of small hydroelectric power generation, and improvement of sewerage systems for the reductionof inundation damage and creation of biomass energy in Asian monsoon areas. We will thereby promote the52establishment of "quality infrastructure" that facilitates both climate change adaptation and mitigation.
In the Asia-Pacific region, we have yet to build the capacity to collect and accumulate observational data andmake forecasts for water management planning. To meet these challenges, Japan will collaborate with European
countries, the United States, Australia, and India to conduct activities to enhance the earth observation network,
thereby making it possible for areas where not enough ground observation data is available to make use of theobservation data provided by a number of satellites for weather forecasts such as precipitation estimates.
In addition, we will support the assessment of water-related disaster risks and the visualization of theinfrastructure development and operation effects while simultaneously encouraging companies to make ESG
investments and disclose more of their climate change risk-related information. Furthermore, we will increase thenumber of partner countries for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).
In addition, it is also important to make "investments in human resources" handling water management toensure the practical use of scientific technology in society. To this end, we will provide support by using theData Integration and Analysis System (DIAS) built by Japan and conducting joint research in cooperation withorganizations in each country, thereby contributing to human resource development.
Climate change is progressing day by day and continually posing a greater risk to all of us. It is therefore essential
to implement measures against it before we face disasters as the actualization of a serious risks. The financial
costs for implementing such measures will also skyrocket if we wait until such risks have already materialized.
We need to act promptly so that later on we will not regret postponing countermeasures.
Now, as the second approach taken for the "Kumamoto Initiative for Water", I would like to talkabout measures to improve people's basic living environment.
Japan will contribute to the provision of wider access to safe water and maintenance of hygienic environments,
and we will also facilitate the improvement of water environments in various areas for the public water body.
By making use of Japan's technologies and providing financial support, we will assist in the expansion andrenovation of water supply facilities in the region while also encouraging private companies to participate in thisfield, thereby helping water utilities to expand their revenue base by establishing a billing and tariff collection
system based on the use of IoT technologies. This will help improve their water leakage detection capabilities andreduce non-revenue water, improving their profitability for the enhancement of their overall capacity.
We will also increase the number of member countries of the "Asia Wastewater Management Partnership(AWaP)" from the current six in order to share our knowledge and experience across Southeast Asia for
the further promotion of sewage management. At the same time, we will contribute to the improvement ofwater environments and biomass power generation by making use of Japan's sewerage facility development
technologies.
For water supply, sanitation, and other facilities to serve as "quality infrastructure" and an engine for economic
growth, Japan will support not only the structural development but also the digitization of infrastructure operationand the introduction of advanced technologies.

53Based on the Kumamoto Initiative for Water, Japan will provide financial assistance worth approximately 500
billion yen over the next five years.
The details of this initiative will be incorporated in the "Kumamoto Declaration" to be finalized today, and Japanis committed to implementing the measures as described in this document.
To ensure the Asia-Pacific region can achieve the SDGs and to create a quality-oriented society where people canenjoy a high quality of life with a high level of resilience against water risks, Japan will spearhead these efforts ina sincere manner.
Now, taking the opportunity presented by this meeting held with the participation of leaders from across the AsiaPacific region, I would like to comment on the situation in Ukraine, which is another very important challengethat the international community should address together.
The international community is now facing a crucial moment. In order to end Russia's outrageous aggression andto maintain peace and order in the world, we need to make a concerted effort and speak with a unified voice tomake it clear that we will not tolerate any attempts to alter the status quo by force.
To this end, I would ask for cooperation from the leaders who gathered to take part in this Summit before
concluding my speech.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.

54

Statement （on-site）

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, Chair of the Summit;- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Government of Japan in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Water
Forum to host the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit under the theme "Water for Sustainable Development-Best
Practices and the Next Generation". I am very delighted to join this important event!

On the 6th Anniversary of major earthquakes that caused many deaths and destruction especially a severe
damage to the Kumamoto Castle, which is the heart of the Japanese people, I also would like to extend my deep
condolences to the affected peoples and families in this province.
Over the past two years, COVID-19 has posed unprecedented impacts on global socio-economic development.
Yet, this crisis has also made us understand better of the need for conservation and protection of the ecosystems
and natural resources, particularly water resource, to promote and support sustainable and resilient livelihoodand socio-economic development.
Certainly, water is an essential resource for development and quality living, but this resource is becoming scarcer
and scarcer day by day in many parts of the world. This is due to human activities that are adversely affecting
water source and its quality, climate change, floods and droughts, population growth and rapid development – allof these have been impacting water resource and the ecosystem supporting it.
Therefore, our approach towards water resource management today will determine the quality of life for us
and our children in the future. In this sense, water resource has become a key agenda that requires us to work
together to manage this resource sustainably for now and in the future through:1. Continuing to promote the development and integration of infrastructure networks to support water resource
management at country, regional and global levels.
2. Continuing to promote the development of responsible socio-economic activities and to support green
development, especially for agriculture which requires great amount of water.
3. Promoting and enhancing our digital cooperation to leverage the progress of digital technology development
for the use and management of water resource in efficient and effective manners.
4. Continuing to support programs, initiatives and activities that support the promotion of social sustainability inthe use and management of water resource to ensure that all people around the world have access to water as
needed.
55

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Effective and efficient use of water resource is critical to sustainable socio-economic development. In fact, in
the UN 2030 Agenda for the sustainable development, water is defined in Goal 6 on "Ensure Availability andSustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All". For Cambodia, water is considered as "White Gold"—a driving force for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic progress and development. The Royal Governmentof Cambodia always recognizes its strategic importance and place high priority on water resource aimed topromote better management of water resource in order to ensure water security in the country. Cambodia
will continue its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders, under both regional and international
mechanisms, to strengthen and promote more effective governance and management of water resources andtransboundary river basins, towards achieving "Water for Sustainable Development" objective.
In this regard, I firmly believe that our high-level political will, joint efforts, and collective actions, will indeed
ensure a successful achievement of the above objective. Cambodia looks forward to fruitful outcomes of the 4th
Asia-Pacific Water Summit – along with the Kumamoto Declaration, which will become an important roadmap

for strengthening our joint efforts to ensure sustainable and inclusive use, development, and management ofwater resource for all generations of humankind.
To conclude, I wish Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, present here today, good health, happiness, and successin all endeavours. I also wish other related meeting success as planned.
Thank You!

56

Honourable Kausea Natano
Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Excellencies, Heads of State,
Excellencies, Prime Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction
In 2007 at Oita City, I attended the 1st APWS as the Minister responsible for Water related matters here in Japan.
The theme then was Water Security and Leadership and Commitment. Today, we are here once again to discusswater related issues that confront Asia and Pacific, under the theme "Water for Sustainable Development – Best
Practices and the Next Generation". Excellencies, I salute Japan for their standing commitment to Countries in the
Asia Pacific Region, show casing the importance of water to the future of the people of the World.
On behalf of the people and the Government of Tuvalu, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere
gratitude to the government of Japan for their hospitality to me and my delegation on our arrival.
I want to also congratulate former Prime Minister Mori for his dedication and consistency in believing thatwater is a very important matter and the World need to consider it really serious in terms of development for
generations to come. Former Prime Minister Mori was the 1st Chairperson of the APWS and has been looking
after this matter for all this time, so big thank you to PM Mori.

The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit's Theme
Excellencies, Tuvalu welcome the theme of this Summit, "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices andthe Next Generation". The people and Government of Tuvalu consider water for development as an importantmatter. Our participation reflects the close alignment to Government's priorities around water related problems
whether it is linked to infrastructure, housing, regional development, economic growth, or climate change. We
regard this sector as critical in achieving our national objectives.

Water Sources in Tuvalu
Drinking water supply is primarily achieved through harvesting and storing of rainwater. This harvested rainwateris, by far, Tuvalu's most important and widely used potable water resource. It is perhaps the only water resourcethat is essentially free and delivered by nature directly to the consumer.
Groundwater is also used for non-potable uses throughout Tuvalu, and is, therefore, an important factor in
reducing the pressure on drinking water supplies. Excessive nutrient inputs are causing eutrophication andassociated macro-algal blooms in some of our lagoons. This is leading to nearshore habitat loss, decrease infish numbers, and causing challenges for fishermen. Inadequate sanitation including poorly functioning septic

57

systems, are thought to be the main contributors to the excessive nutrient loads to the lagoon.

Water-related Challenges in Tuvalu
Like many other Pacific Island Countries, Tuvalu faces pressures of growing population, limited water resources
and storage capacity, and poor sanitation infrastructure. Limited institutional capacity, thinly spread humanresources, and irregular funding sources further challenge our ability to effectively respond to water andsanitation issues.
Compounding these challenges are the impacts of climate variability and climate change. For my country Tuvalu
and I believe for the Pacific as well, Climate Change is the single biggest security existential threat to our survival
and this requires urgent actions and ambitions to address these threats.
Our vulnerability was dramatically illustrated in 1999 and 2011 when the country entered a prolonged period ofdrought, for which a state of emergency was declared and drinking water supplies in some of our communities
were pushed to the point of exhaustion. We had an outbreak of the water-borne disease in 2011 concurrent withand apparently precipitated by La Nina–associated drought conditions. As we speak today, most areas of Tuvalu
are in the wake of drought warning.

Toward the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
Tuvalu is currently COVID-19 free. However, we are facing delays in major infrastructure projects due to theimpact of the COVID-19 pandemic on border closures, leading to delays in the transportation of construction
materials, and limited access to technical expertise in various fields to name a few.
We recognize the benefit to share knowledge and learn best practices of water-related issues that are commonly
affecting the Asia-Pacific Region amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, we have to be more resilient andprompter in our response, which I wish to share under the following thematic areas, which were proposed forfurther deliberations.

Finance
We have plans such as the Te Kete (Tuvalu National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021-2030) and theTuvalu Infrastructure Strategy and Investment Plan (TISIP) 2020-2025 that include some direction on investment
needs in water and sanitation through infrastructure development. Despite all these plans, we still havecompeting priorities that hinder the fulfillment of our aspirations.

GovernanceSeveral useful water governance mechanisms are already in place in Tuvalu. We are applying an integrated
approach to dealing with water-related impacts of climate change, through collaborative efforts between the
Public Works Department and the Climate Change Department. Tuvalu's exposures to these impacts havebeen reflected in recent climate change-related documents. Therefore, we should never lose sight on theimplementation of the Paris Agreement.

Science & Technology
Tuvalu's limited fresh water and financial resources mean that appropriate technologies must be a key componentof efforts to secure our water and climate resilience.
To safeguard against water shortages, Tuvalu has already pursued alternative sources such as desalination.
However, these are expensive to operate and maintain, limited in the volumes they produce, and cannot be relied
upon alone to protect Tuvalu from the impacts of drought. A more cost-effective approach to achieving water
security is to properly manage and conserve our scarce water resources and to power these, using renewable

58

energy sources.
Tuvalu can significantly increase its resilience to the impacts of drought by investing in Disaster Risk Reduction
approaches, rather than relying on immediate disaster response. Undertaking risk assessments and putting inplace effective Early Warning Systems and Responses can ensure people of Tuvalu are well prepared for extended
dry times. However, these systems and responses do not come cheap nowadays. The mere fact that we are being
serviced by a monopoly shipping service gave us limited avenue but to go along with very high freight costs.

Concluding remarks
Excellencies, I hope that out of this Summit we will be able to come up with a meaningful Declaration document,strong message, and identified actions to contribute and address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
and to foster the engagement of the private sector and development partners in addressing and contributing to theattainment of the SDGs, Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework.
Let me reiterate, to ensure that these efforts and best practices are taken over by the next generations, we allneed to paddle together to urgently address the current COVID-19 crisis, and accelerate efforts to achieve waterrelated SDGs while building a resilient Asia-Pacific region to cope with evolving threats.
I thank you.
Fakafetai lasi.

59H.E. Dr. Phankham ViphavanhPrime Minister of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic- Your Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan,- Excellencies Prime Ministers/Deputy-Prime Ministers of the Asia-Pacific Countries,- Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Prime Minister Kishida aswell as the Government of Japan for the excellent hosting of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in the city of
Kumamoto, Japan. I also wish to commend the Government of Japan, particularly the Kumamoto Prefecture
Authority in its recovery and reconstruction success in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2016 giving
us a good opportunity to witness and learn best practices from this success.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Water and water resources are vital elements for human life and the existence of our planet, particularly to foodsecurity, sound environment and biodiversity sustainability. Nevertheless, water has been unequally distributed
around the world. Growing population, increasing demand for water and water resources for socio economic
development, and climate change not only remain challenging and primary causes of more frequent and severe
natural disasters but also pose direct impact on water and water resources' sustainability. Therefore, it calls upon
all nations to collectively explore ways and means to manage water and water resources in an efficient andsustainable manner. Against this backdrop, the international community, particularly the United Nations has
included the sustainable use and water management as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG6),
which is incumbent upon us all to implement the goal effectively.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
The Lao PDR is one of the countries that is abundant in water and water resources. There are more than 60 river
basins across the country contributing more than 40% of the total water volume that flows into the Mekong River.
This has become a key potential for the country's socio-economic development. Therefore, the Lao Government
has adopted appropriate strategy and management plan in order to manage and utilize these water resources in amost beneficial and sustainable manner.
Furthermore, the Lao Government has attached a great deal of importance to Water Diplomacy by expanding60

its cooperation on water related issues with countries in the region and beyond. Particularly, the Government
has mainstreamed the international measures and standards on water management into its national plans andstrategies such as integrating the SDG6 into the National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Through theimplementation of the above mentioned undertaking, the Lao PDR has gained key results and targets.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
To realize the theme of this summit "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next
Generation", I would like to share some of my views on our future cooperation as follows:
1. Managing integrated, green and sustainable-led water and water resources through multidimensional andmultisectoral approach, such as: by increasing green forest coverage, environmental protection, climatechange mitigation, poverty reduction, gender equality, clean water supply and sanitation;
2. Promoting research and development cooperation on science and technology in water and water resources
development and management among countries in the region and development partners, with an aim toeffectively utilize water resources for common benefits of all countries;
3. Further enhancing effective participatory mechanisms of development partners and private sector byintegrating subregional, regional and international cooperation mechanisms, particularly: Convention
on Climate Change, Environment Cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific, ASEAN, ACMECS(Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) initiatives, Mekong Cooperation
Mechanisms with development partners, among others; and4. Building capacity and resilience for countries in the Asia Pacific region in order to respond to unforeseenchallenges relating to water utilization and water resources namely natural disasters (floods and droughts).
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Government and the people of Japan, as well as
the international community and development partners for extending their cooperation and support to the Lao
PDR in implementing our common endeavours over the past years. I strongly believe that our cooperation insustainable development and water management, as well as on addressing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic
will be further enhanced and yielded concrete results based on shared benefits of the region and the world atlarge.
The Lao PDR is pleased to support and adopt the Kumamoto Declaration of this Water Summit.
Thank you61

H.E. Mr. Sardor Umurzakov
Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of
Uzbekistan
Prime Minister Kishida!
President Mori!
Dear participants!

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Japan, especially H.E. Prime-Minister Fumio
Kishida for the warm hospitality and the opportunity to speak in front of such a distinguished audience.
The topic of today's event («Water for sustainable development – best practices and the next generation») – ismore relevant than ever.
We know that current challenges and problems related to food security, health, energy, climate and education
are closely linked to the water issues.
For Uzbekistan, solving the problem of diminishing water resources is a key factor to ensure economic
development and the vital needs of our people.
For centuries, the waters of Central Asia's two rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, have been the source of life
and well-being of the people of Uzbekistan and the entire region.
However, starting from the 1960 the Aral Sea's water level was systematically and drastically reduced, because of
the diversion of water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for purposes of agricultural irrigation, especiallyfor cotton cultivation.
As the Soviet government converted large acreages of lands into irrigated farmlands, the amount of water fromAmu Darya and Syr Darya rivers that reached the Aral Sea dropped and led to ecological disasters on a global
scale, such as the drying up of the sea.
The world's fourth largest lake has lost 90% of its water surface and 97% of its water volume in the last 60 years.
This disaster has already spread far beyond the region and become global. The traces of toxic dust contained salt,
fertilizers and pesticides from the Aral seabed have been discovered in different parts of the world, including
Norway and even Antarctic.

62

Currently, according to the UN report, our country is among the 25 states most vulnerable to water scarcity, andthe situation will worsen in the future.
Dear friends!
Uzbekistan is making significant efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Aral Sea disaster and thedevelopment of the Aral Sea region.
Recently, on the 75th UN General Assembly, based on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev, a special resolution was adopted on the declaration of the Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental
innovations and technologies.
In 2018, the United Nations Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region was established in
Uzbekistan.
In recent years, the Fund has raised $240 million for projects to decrease the consequences of the Aral Sea
disaster.
Over the past four years, nearly two (1.7 ) million hectares of the Aral seabed have been planted with trees in theregion, contributing to a favourable ecosystem conditions and climate mitigation in the area.
Today, tens of thousands of people in the Aral Sea region are covered by specialized medical care and haveaccess to clean drinking water.
At the same time, the scale of the problem requires us to jointly collaborate in the implementation of projects
aimed at improving the water management, environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region.
In September of this year, a high-level International Conference on promoting environmental innovations in theAral Sea region will be organized in Uzbekistan.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite all the participants of today's Summit to this event.
Dear colleagues!
Uzbekistan is taking concrete steps to consistently implement the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals by 2030, including ensure accessibility and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation forall.
In order to achieve this goal, our Government has been carried out concrete reforms on the efficient use of land
and water resources, improvement of their management systems, modernization and development of water
facilities.
The Strategy of water resources management and irrigation sector development covering 2021-2023 as well as
the Concept of water sector development until 2030 were approved.
As a result of the taken measures, currently Uzbekistan ranks 16th in the world for the adoption of water-saving
63technologies and the first among Central Asian countries.
The «Smart Water» system is being adopted at water management facilities of the country, with implementationof advanced IT solutions.
By the end 2030, we are planning to introduce water-saving and high-tech irrigation systems on almost 50% of
irrigated land. Cutting-edge digital technology will be installed at more than 6 thousand entities in Uzbekistan.
Dear friends!
Although, we can witness certain success, the country itself cannot solve water issues on its own.
More than 50% of the total flow of Amu Darya and Syr Darya, the largest rivers in the region, is formed by melt
glacial water. At the same time, long-term observations show that the glaciers of Central Asia have been shrinking
intensively in the last 40 years due to climate change and have already been reduced by more than a quarter.
In order to introduce effective solutions to this issue and lay the foundation for sustainable development of theentire Central Asian region, Uzbekistan is building relations on water management issues in a multilateral format– within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as well as bilateral format – within theframework of the joint Working Groups with each of Central Asian countries.
Dear participants of the Summit!
We can talk a lot about the topic of today's event, however, it is more important to show actions.
In this regard, let me briefly enumerate several initiatives, which, in our opinion, will help to find solutions to the
problems we are discussing today.
First, I would like to encourage member states, international organizations and donors to participate in joint
projects, aimed at implementing environmental innovations and technologies in the Aral Sea region.
Given the successful experience with Japan International Cooperation Agency in the field of water resources, we
invite for active cooperation in implementation of variety of solutions to introduce water saving technologies inagriculture.
Second, taking into account the unique experience of Kumamoto city, we are interested in learning that
achievement as well as implementing its new innovative solutions for groundwater usage in Uzbekistan.
Third, we propose to establish a Platform for young generation within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Water
Summit to increase their awareness and literacy in environmental protection issues, especially water resources.
Last but not least, we suggest to establish a joint mechanism for the exchange of experience, information andstrategies, in particular in the field of water reduction and introduction of fine-grained irrigation of agricultural
land.

64

Dear friends!
It is time for all countries to move beyond words and start to jointly act and consolidate to ensure water security
and address common environmental issues.
I am confident that today's Summit will be an effective platform for the implementation of new, targeted ideas inthis area.
I would like to confirm Uzbekistan's commitment to cooperate in the field of efficient water usage and engage inadvancement of joint projects as well as concrete initiatives.
I wish all the participants of the Summit fruitful cooperation.
Thank you for your attention!

65

Statement （online）

H.E. Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering
Hon'ble Prime Minister of BhutanYour Excellency Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have the pleasure of conveying the warm greetings of my King, the Queen and people of Bhutan.
Although I could not make it in person, I am glad that I am attending this important event virtually, thanks totechnology.
As we all know, water is the driving force of our life and that of our planet. I remember writing to Prime Minister
Kishida that how we deliver in this sector will have far reaching impact on our recovery from the pandemic, since
it is at the core of all other sustainable development goals.
So, thank you prime minister Kishida, particularly the Kumamoto City for the timely summit. I am excited toclosely follow the discourse and all the great ideas that the experts share here.
Excellencies,
Let me also take some time to update highlights of Bhutan's water story with you all today.
Our streams and rivers are fed by snow and glacial lakes. We take pride in having one of the highest per capita
availability of water in the world. This is part of our rich natural heritage and exotic ecosystem.
Like most of the cultures, we also attach huge importance and spiritual significance to the water, lakes and rivers
around us.
For example, we prohibit people from climbing mountains higher than 6,000 metres, as it is considered sacredand must not be disturbed. Some of the streams and lakes are regarded as blessed and have healing properties.
Such Bhutanese customs and beliefs, in a way, helped us protect water sources and preserve it for generations.
Among other things, our main source of revenue is hydropower. The variation in our altitude as a mountainous
country ensures swift flow of rivers, making it conducive for power production. But even with all the advantages,
we have our share of water problems.

66

I must also inform you that Bhutan is caught up in a little sad situation.
On one hand, we are not able to solve the issue of taking drinking and irrigation water to the homes of the people
despite generous per-capita water availability. Water projects were just seen as one component of developmental
activities and not approached in a wholesome manner. Without a dedicated institution, our approaches to water
management have been in bits and pieces.
On the other hand, climate change is inducing water scarcity at the sources. Our glacial lakes are receding, andcatchment areas are drying up. At the same time, the constant risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods threatens
whatever water infrastructure we have.
However, in all our efforts so far, I would like to share with all esteemed members here one unique story that puts
water in the heart of national solidarity and unity in such an unprecedented time.
It originated from the Golden Throne. At a time when pandemic peaked world over, causing immense disruption
to education, employment and other livelihoods, His Majesty The King called upon the young people of Bhutan
to step up and embrace activities that are timeless and of national importance.
It was at that time that His Majesty redirected our attention to the abundant water resources we have and urged
our youth to engage in building robust water infrastructure for the people and the nation. My King said it would
not just be for the food security but contribute to national self-reliance and global accomplishment.
His Majesty said conflicts and wars in future can originate over access to water… and that we must solve thisproblem once and for all in Bhutan.
With this, thousands of youth came forward to work on water projects during the peak of the pandemic, at times
requiring to work in self-containment. These group of youth are called De-suups and the project is referred to as
the De-suung National Service Water Project.
Through this Royal initiative, communities across the country were connected with water for drinking andirrigation in just about two years. In solving the water issues, His Majesty gave the youth of Bhutan a new
purpose and renewed spirit.
This is significant for Bhutan. Our young people are ensuring that water, the very source of life, is secured
with their own hands. At a time when human tendencies are to take things for granted, our De-suups will takeownership and value what matters to their future as well as the future of the country.
But this is just the beginning. While the project is ongoing and we have to build further on the foundationthat has been laid. Works are underway to institutionalise a wholesome water management system through aprofessional governing body.
That way, we be able to explore required resources, keep pace with emerging water technologies and introduce
dynamic water policies and coordination.
We are excited about what lies ahead of us, and it is a joy to be sharing our experience at such forums. In doing67

so, we are motivated with newer ideas and opportunities other countries will bring along.
Given the cross-cutting nature of water and climate, it is only through common action that we can arrive at ideal
solutions.
Excellencies
In discussing water, we are talking about the element that circulates in our shared eco-system. Together, wemust reduce net water loss and wastage. We have to harness not just every drop but every molecule of water.
For instance, breaking up H2O into hydrogen and oxygen have huge potential of sustainable energy generation,
opening up a whole new sector of economy.
Countries will have to support each other with rapid technological progress and ensure efficient water
management system. Otherwise, we cannot establish water as a core component of economic progression andhuman advancement.
In this context, I am most delighted to welcome the announcement of the Japanese initiative to strengthen
national capacities in the Asia-Pacific region. This will address our current limitations in areas of water
governance.
Excellencies,
In conclusion, I am happy to note that the outcome of the two-day Summit will contribute to the Midterm Reviewof the UN Decade of Action for Water, which is coming up next year, thus globalising the initiative.
As every country charts the national pathway to accelerate our recovery efforts, today's summit makes us rethink
and re-priorities. The way ahead is exciting. Let us all be guided by our understanding and spirit of collaborationthat will be reflected in the Kumamoto Declaration.
Let us work together in a way that we are able to harness advantages at every point in the water cycle. In
addition to meeting the conventional needs and utilities, we must prepare ourselves to embrace fast emerging
technologies around water. Only then will we be able to derive the true meaning of its reference as "white gold"that enriches every life on earth.
I wish the summit every success!
Thank you and Tashi Delek!

68H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic ofViet NamYour Majesty Emperor Naruhito,Your Excellency Prime Minister Kishida Fumio
Excellencies Heads of States and Governments,
Ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, on behalf of the Government of Viet Nam (General Sec of the Party and President of VN), and in
my own name, I would like to extend my best regards and wishes of good health to the leaders and delegates. I
wish to thank and applaud Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for hosting and inviting me to the especially significant
Conference today.
Ladies and gentlemen,

Our world and region is experiencing the compounding impact, with unprecedented intensity and scale,of global challenges, leaving behind immense and manifold consequences for the generations of today andtomorrow. Examples include the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, climate change and the extreme weather
phenomena along with it, such as storms, floods, droughts, sea level rise, and water and soil pollution, and theover-exploitation of natural resources, including water. Ensuring water security is closely related to food security,
energy security, human security and other non-traditional security issues.
To address and mitigate such negative impacts, while promoting green, sustainable, inclusive and transnational
economic growth, especially during the post-pandemic recovery process, the efforts of each country is key anddecisive, but international cooperation is important and game-changing. These global challenges require a global
approach and solution, promoting international solidarity, and upholding multilateralism.
Against this backdrop, the Asia-Pacific should prioritize the following groups of solutions:First , promote regional and international cooperation in an open, transparent, substantive and mutually-beneficial

manner, seriously and effectively deliver international commitments on the water resource, especially the 2030
SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the commitments made at the COP26, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction. In addition, in the coming time, I suggest that we need to attach importance to promoting exchange
and sharing at regional and global discussions related to water.
Second , I suggest that Japan and developed countries pay attention to, share with and support developing

countries with regards to experience, financing, governance, technologies, human resource development,69

primary research and planning of water use, for the effective management, sustainable exploration, and equitable
distribution of the water resource. We should prioritize the sustainable management and protection of ecosystems
using nature-based solutions, in harmony with nature, and preserving biodiversity.
Third , promote cooperation and support the work of sub-regional, regional and inter-regional cooperation

organizations and mechanisms for cross-border river basin management, such as the Mekong River Commission,and other river basin cooperation arrangements. To make good use of opportunities under the Fourth Industrial
Revolution, regional cooperation should also focus on promoting digital transformation, encouraging theparticipation of the business community and the people, advancing private-public partnership in managing water
resources, and strengthening smart water governance.
Ladies and gentlemen,

As it is located at the downstream of major rivers, Viet Nam's water resource always carries risks of unsustainability
that may compromise water security. The water resources face depletion due to over-exploitation in many places.
This is compounded by the impact of climate change, sea level rise and the development of hydropower. Therefore,
Viet Nam lists water among its strategic resources, requiring proper, safe, hygienic and effective management
extraction and use to promote green, circular and sustainable development, and ensure harmony and balance
between economy and socio-cultural development, environment protection and climate change adaptation,
without sacrificing social security, living environment, and water security to pursue economic growth.
Recently, Viet Nam has been actively engaging with and contributing to the common effort at all levels ofinternational cooperation, including other countries sharing the same water source with us such as Laos,
Cambodia and other international partners, in order to manage, develop, protect and make sustainable andeffective use of the water resource from rivers.
Let me take this opportunity to extend heartfelt gratitude to international partners, including Japan, for yourinvaluable assistance. We hope to continue receiving further and more effective cooperation from othercountries, international organizations, the business community, especially in strategic cooperation projects forthe development of water infrastructures, without causing drastic changes to the natural river courses, especially
the Mekong river.
We trust that given our international solidarity and cooperation, our singular understanding and sharing ofinterests, responsibility and determination to act together, we will certainly deliver in our purpose, to promote
quality water development and secure water security, especially the fair, just, coherent and mutually beneficial
use of transnational water resource in the region and the world, contributing to fostering cooperation,
development and prosperity in the region and the world.
Bearing this in mind, we support and very much applaud the Kumamoto Declaration by the Government of Japan
at the present Summit.
Once again, I wish you, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Excellency Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Excellencies
Heads of State and Government and all delegates, good health.
Thank you for your kind attention. May the Summit be a success.
Thank you very much.
70

Statement （video message）

H.E. Emomali Rahmon
President of the Republic of Tajikistan
Distinguished Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for organizing this meeting.
It is gratifying that the theme of today's meeting is "Water for Sustainable Development – Best Practices and the
Next Generation".
In 2007, at the first Asia-Pacific Water Summit in the beautiful city of Beppu, I stated that "... global development
processes are such that the cost of water can outweigh the cost of oil, gas, coal and other resources necessary forthe sustainable development of each country and region".
After almost fifteen years of development, the analysis proves the viability of those projections.
The realities of this period have made the world community to pay greater attention to water-related issues and toinclude various mechanisms of their solution in the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda.
Tajikistan has also made significant efforts over the past two decades to promote the world water agenda andmade a worthy contribution to this process.
At the initiative of Tajikistan, the United Nations General Assembly adopted eight resolutions and our country has
hosted several high-level international conferences on important water issues.
Also, at the initiative of our country, the UN General Assembly in 2016 adopted its Resolution on theInternational Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028".
The core objective of this resolution is to give impetus and accelerate water actions with a view to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Distinguished guests,

The sustainable development goal stands for ensuring decent life for future generations. However, the analysis
shows that with current pace and efforts, it is hard to anticipate that we can achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals, especially in water sector.
71

Unfortunately, the current threats and challenges, including the issue of climate change have seriously restrained
this process.
Such situation requires special attention as its impact on water resources, especially glaciers is very clear and worrying.
Tajikistan has lost more than 1000 glaciers in the past few decades as the consequences of climate change, andsuffers from severe floods and droughts every year.
It is clear that water resources play important role in adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change.
In this context, Tajikistan as a proactive member of Water and Climate Leaders' Coalition seeks to promote waterand climate issues on the world agenda.
As part of this process, we have proposed to declare 2025 the Year of Glacier Preservation and establish a special
International Fund for Protection of Glacier in order to accelerate the efforts of the international community inthis regard.
Another paramount point that should be highlighted is to be ready to commit and undertake specific targetedmeasures in this dimension.
In this regard, Tajikistan as the initiator of the New Decade of Action "Water for Sustainable Development"
launched the "Dushanbe Water Process" and in 2018 hosted the First High-Level Conference within the Decade.
We plan to host the next Conference of this kind on June 6-9 this year.
The Second Dushanbe Conference will serve as the main loop to link the chain of various global events,
including today's Summit and will play a crucial role in preparatory work for UN 2023 Water Conference for the
Midterm Comprehensive review of implementation of the Decade for Action.
It is noteworthy that the 2023 New York Conference that will be co-chaired by Tajikistan and the Kingdom ofNetherlands, will take part after almost 50 years following the First United Nations Water Conference held back in 1977.
Accordingly, the world community has substantive expectations from this world gathering on water and ourcountries have been doing their utmost to ensure the conference will come to fruition indeed.
It is my firm belief that all stakeholders, particularly the UN member states will support us in fulfilling thisimportant responsibility.
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to cordially invite all participants of this Summit to the Dushanbe
Conference to decently contribute to the process of preparation for the UN Water Conference.
Distinguished participants,

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that we will continue to proactively pursue our championship and political
determination in this process together with our partner countries.
I thank you for your attention!
72

H.E. Joko Widodo
President of The Republic of Indonesia
Thank you, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, for organizing this important meeting.
Clean water is a luxury for most people.
Water crisis is a global challenge.

785 million of global population, 300 million in Asia have no access to clean water.
1,2 billion of Asian population remains without access to proper clean sanitation.
Globally, more than 800 infants die each day because of water contamination and sanitation.
Climate change, population growth, and urbanization further complicate future challenges.

Many things that we must do together.
Sustainability is the key to the future.

Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals must be accelerated to address water crisis, climate change,and ensure green development.
We must dare to take concrete steps.
First, utilizing innovation and technology-based solutions.
Research, technological development, and education are crucial for sustainable water policy and management

in utilization, conservation, and supervision.
Indonesia encourages development of technology-based sustainable water infrastructure, including Wastewater
treatment installation using environmentally-friendly microbubble technology to increase water quality, and using
sustainable materials to build dams and water installations.
To boost sustainable infrastructure development, Indonesia welcomes investment in various sectors.

73

Second, empowering the people.

Active participation by the people enables government policies to improve the lives of the poorest by improving
access and prosperity.
Third, increasing collaboration and international partnership.
Technology transfer and collaboration across sector and generational must not stay as a mere commitment.

We must promote an integrated policy.
Last month, Indonesia pushed for the adoption of a resolution on sustainable lake management at the UN
Environmental Assembly.

This resolution integrates the policy of lake management, as one of the sources of water for human to thedevelopment plan at national, regional and global level.
Fourth, addressing the global challenges of water needs climate change and disaster management solutions.

Indonesia is committed to implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change… and Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Indonesian government is also committed in developing environmentally-friendly infrastructure for water
security, food security, and energy security infrastructure to anticipate climate change.

Excellencies,
I welcome the Kumamoto Declaration, initiated by Prime Minister Kishida, to accelerate joint concrete actions inwater sector.
I hope that this declaration can provide significant impact in creating a greener, more resilient, and moresustainable future.
Thank you.

74

H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
President of the PhilippinesYour Excellency, Prime Minister Fumio KISHIDA;
Mr. Yoshio Mori, President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum;
Distinguished participants; Ladies and Gentlemen:Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share our perspective on the value of water,
and lack of it; as well as the future of water, and not having it.
Water is universal, strategic and transformative. It has the ability to connect people and communities as well as
define relationship and determines the development trajectories.
Truly, it is a resource so vital for humans and ecosystems not only to survive but to thrive. Given these qualities,
access to water and water services is rightly considered a basic human right.
My country is a lesson in caution and an example of the necessity for urgent action.
Despite the abundance of water in my country, there remains an enormous challenge to ensure our people's
universal access to safe, affordable and accessible water.
This requires an urgent sense of community action in the region, an integrated and coherent policy and theresolve to create opportunities for investment and collaboration for technological solutions. We also need tocreate a robust regime for regional sustainable water management.
Let us use the best available science in water resource generation and climate resilient infrastructure. Let us also
secure sustainable forest protection and watershed management. Let us likewise foster collaboration between our
regional experts for technology development and transfer.
We also need to promote transboundary benefits and interest for our common people's developments towards
2050 and beyond.
After all, we have the unique but complementary national circumstances and development aspirations.
And finally, we need to forge a strong alliance between our strategic partners to address entrenched corporate
compulsions to ensure environmental compliance and just economic regulatory regimes.

75

At the end of the day, inclusiveness is imbued with national interest. This means equity and fairness in watersector development. Solutions therefore must come from government and non-government stakeholders alike.
Excellencies, now is the time for bolder vision and urgent action. We need to decide wisely for ourselves and forthe future generations.
In closing, allow me to thank and commend the Japanese Government for the continued initiative in successfullyorganizing the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

76

H.E. Hon. Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, M.P.
President of the Republic of Nauru
Your Excellencies
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ekamawir Omo.
I am honored to be invited today to make a virtual statement at this 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit. I take thisopportunity to thank the Government of Japan for convening this important gathering to address the acutechallenges our region faces on water issues in the context of climate change.
For Nauru, access to reliable, safe, affordable, secure, and sustainable water supply is a priority and a means
to meeting socio-economic development needs. This is clearly articulated in Nauru's National Sustainable
Development Strategy 2019-2030.
However, we are beset by a number of challenges inherent to small island developing states which has beenfurther exacerbated by climate change and the onset of the pandemic.
My government recognizes that there is a need to align our national quality of current supplies with internationally
recommended standards. Most of Nauru's ground water has been contaminated due to mining, ineffective seweragesystems, burial sites and dumping of commercial and household wastes. Frequent, unpredictable, and prolonged
droughts coupled with lack of proper rainwater storage facilities compound water scarcity issues.
We have made inroads to addressing our water issues. A solar powered reverse osmosis plant has improved the
supply of water, through delivery of potable water. Water storage facilities for houses have improved with mostcommunities being made aware of the importance of using clean water and either treat or boil water for home use.
Government is cognizant that despite the efforts expended, there is still a need to increase capacity for water
storage in the absence of natural reservoirs, a need to improve delivery of water from storage facilities to householdwater tank storages especially during sustainable drought periods when demand escalates and improve standards ofthe water produced by reverse osmosis. Additionally, there is a need to upgrade infrastructure, increase efficiency,
secure the benefits of renewable energy, and develop and implement sustainable water management policies.
The current circumstances of the pandemic have further encumbered national efforts to provide safe, accessible,
and sustainable water supply. While the effects of the pandemic has varied by region and context, island nations,inland areas, and vulnerable groups are suffering particularly severe impacts.
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Nauru aligns itself with the Kumamoto Declaration that will be issued as an outcome of this Summit, recognizingthat the water sector plays a vital and significant role in recovering from the pandemic. Subsequently, climatechange will continue to and further aggravate the cascading multi-hazards of tropical cyclones, flood anddrought disasters, soil and water pollution, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. But, by restoring a sound water
cycle, we can reduce disaster risks, achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strengthentransboundary cooperation.
1) Improve governance. Nauru joins members in encouraging the many water-related institutions and civilsociety organizations to collaborate across sectors and generations while enhancing capabilities andperformance in the water sector.
The Government of Nauru recognizes the co-relation between water and climate change and has established
the Water Resource Management Division (WRM) under the Department of Climate Change and National
Resilience. The Water Division is mandated to ensure that government meets its goal of providing reliable,safe, affordable, secure, and sustainable water supplies to meet socio-economic development needs andappropriate sanitation systems for healthy communities and environments. However, there is a need todevelop and implement water management policies which incorporates existing legislation and policies toaddress past and emerging issues which will impact detrimentally on Nauru's water supplies.
2) Close the financial gap. Recognizing the contribution to growth from investing in water, building on the
Yangon Declaration, Nauru acknowledges the importance of mobilizing investment in the water sector
not only by national governments but also by international and regional organizations, international andregional financial institutions, international donor communities, subnational authorities, non-governmentalorganizations, private sector, and local communities.
For Nauru and similar small island developing states, mobilizing investment and finance in the water sector
can form part of the solution to addressing water issues. A priority undertaking for Nauru is a sewage andwater waste treatment facility, required to protect public health. The ability to properly dispose of liquid,chemical and hazardous waste is limited by the excessive cost of waste treatment. Waste disposal not only
threatens natural environment and biodiversity, it also decreases air and water quality.
3) Appeal to the science and technology community. Nauru joins members in calling upon the science andtechnology community to provide context-specific innovations for resolving water problems, respecting thenatural environment, geographical features, and historical backgrounds of the local community. Additionally,
we emphasize the importance of promoting capacity building for a new generation of water professionals toensure, maintain, and improve a sound water cycle.
Your Excellencies, climate change and COVID-19 continue to seriously impede our development plans. I
am nonetheless confident that our collective and combined efforts in addressing the region's water issue will
spur action in meeting our national priority goals and without waiting until 2030, achieve access to safe andaffordable drinking water and sanitation facilities for all.
In conclusion, I take this opportunity to wish you all a successful and fruitful meeting.
Tubwa kor. Thank you.
78

H.E. Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka
Chairperson
Excellencies
Delegates.
Sri Lanka is an island nation with a rich heritage of water management that spans millennia.
Our ancestors transformed our landscape through vast hydrological projects, sustaining a sophisticatedagriculture and earning Sri Lanka a reputation as the granary of the East.
My government's commitment to the water-related Sustainable Development Goals is guided by this richheritage, and it is a key partof our national policy which emphasises sustainability.
Protecting the sustainability and resilience of our water systems is a priority for us.
Our discouraging the overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides in favour of a more organic andsustainable agriculture was based, in part, on this requirement.
So too is our national programme to clean over 100 rivers and reduce riverbank erosion, prevent sand mining,illegal construction, and discharge of effluents and plastic waste into our waterways.
Significantly improving water related infrastructure, including clean water supply and sanitation for all by 2025
remains a national target.
We are continually improving capacity and quality of existing water supply schemes and initiating new ones tocater to areas with poor coverage.
Even during the COVID19 pandemic, my Government was able to increase the number of new water
connections to the public by more than 50% compared to what had been achieved annually in previous years.
Several projects intended towards improving water cycle management were also undertaken.
These achievements reflect the emphasis we give to inclusivity and to fostering participatory growth to all Sri
Lankans, which is at the heart of my government's development efforts.

79Despite considerable resource constraints, made far worse through the pandemic and our ongoing financial
crisis, Sri Lanka's commitment towards such development as well as towards sustaining a progressive agenda on
the environment remains unchanged.
Sri Lanka welcomes investments, technology transfers, and financing for our sustainability efforts, as well as
broader development assistance and cooperation for debt restructuring to support our economic recovery during
this critical time.
All of us alive today are custodians of this planet on behalf of future generations.
Managing water for sustainable development is a duty incumbent on all of us on behalf of our future generations.
Let us work untiringly towards this on behalf of our people and our planet.
Thank you.

80

H.E. Mr. Sadyr Japarov
President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very pleased to welcome all participants of the Summit.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to distinguished Prime minister of Japan Mr. Fumio Kishida for
invitation to an important and global event.
The Kyrgyz Republic fully supports the goals of the Summit and expects that the event will contribute to thesolution of current challenges in the field of water resources in the interests of sustainable development.
I want to confirm that the Kyrgyz Republic is fully committed to the obligations of the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. It should be noted that the coronavirus pandemic had most negative impact on the timely
implementation of the Goals in my country.
Today, when the pandemic has already been brought under control and humanity is gradually returning tonormal life, I call the world community to intensify collective efforts to achieve the delayed Goals by 2030.
Dear Ladies and Gentleman,
The Kyrgyz Republic is a country of celestial mountains, where the water sources of Central Asia are formed.
Climate change has become a very serious challenge for our unique nature, especially for century old glaciers.
In recent years, the diseases of melting glaciers and dry winters in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia are alreadybearing all the negative consequences of the reduction of water resources.
There is a shortage of water for the needs of the population and agricultural purposes and the risks to the lifeand health of citizens, food security and socio-economic development have increased. In turn, we are taking allnecessary steps to mitigate these negative impact. In Kyrgyzstan, with the support of Japan and other international
partners, the Taza Suu (Clean Water) program is successfully implemented, aimed at expanding the access of therural population to drinking water. In agriculture, advanced irrigation technologies are being introduced, existing
were modernized and new water infrastructure facilities was put into operation.

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At the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, in 2021 the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly«International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development» and Resolution of the General Conference of
UNESCO «Expansion of monitoring and research of mountain glaciers» were adopted, which aimed at solving
the problems of sustainable development of mountain regions and protecting their ecosystems, improving thesocio-economic conditions for the life on millions of people.
In order to implement this initiatives, in Kyrgyzstan, the year 2022 has been declared as the Year of Protection of
Mountain Ecosystems and Climate Resilience, a Road Map of activities at the national level has been adopted.
One of such an activity is the nationwide campaign «Green Heritage» within the framework of which it isplanned to plant six million seedling throughout the country as a measure to curb climate change and conserve
water resources.
Dear participants,
In the conclusion of my message I want to note that the Kyrgyz Republic will continue its comprehensive
activities aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
We are also open and ready for active international cooperation, since only through joint efforts we can ensure
the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
I wish all of a susses to the Summit.
Thank you.

82

H.E. Mr. Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV
President of Turkmenistan
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Please allow me to express my gratitude to His Excellency the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Fumio Kishida, theGovernment of Japan and the Asia Pacific Water Forum for the invitation to take part in this Summit and theconditions provided for its successful organization.
Distinguished participants
Today, Asia Pacific region acts as one of the most powerful poles of global development and progress.
Accordingly, great responsibility falls on the states of the Asia-Pacific region in their approaches to the issueof conserving and using the planet's water resources. This approach is an integral element of ensuring generalinternational stability and security based on multilateral consideration of interests, reasonable balance andmitigating the damage when national and regional socio-economic projects and programs are implemented.
We are convinced that the main requirement for joint activities in this area should remain an unconditional
commitment to the principle of equal and fair access to water resources, and recognizing it as a fundamental
human right. According to our understanding, ensuring the right to have access to water and responsibility for thisshould become an obligation for all states. This is especially important in the current circumstances, when thecoronavirus pandemic has seriously undermined the global economy, global food security, and had a negative
impact on the implementation of sustainable development goals.
Our country closely and consistently cooperates on water issues with the global community, primarily with the United
Nations on the basis of program documents that were adopted at the «Rio + 20» UN Conference on Sustainable
Development in 2012, the 7th World Water Forum in Daegu in 2015 in the Republic of Korea, Dushanbe Highlevel International Conference in 2018 and other important forums. The initiatives of Turkmenistan proposed at thoseforums are extremely specific, relevant to the real needs of people, goals of regional development and cooperation.
The proposals are the followings:
To develop UN Special Program for the Aral Sea Basin and dealing the Aral Sea problem as a separate area of theOrganization's activities;
Initiatives to develop and adopt the Central Asian Water Strategy;83

New Program of Action to assist the countries of the Aral Sea Basin;
Implement Regional Action Plan for Environment protection as a unified ecological program of the countries in
the Central Asia and many other measures.
The UN General Assembly Resolution «Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for
Saving the Aral Sea», drafted and adopted by Turkmenistan with co-sponsoring 19 countries is an important tool
for the implementation of international plans in the water sector for Central Asia.
Our position is principled and consistent: Turkmenistan has stated and continues to state that water and energy
problems have to be resolved:- First, it should be based on universally recognized norms of international law;
- Second, it should take into account the interests of each country;- Third, they should be dealt with the active participation of international organizations, primarily with the United
Nations.
I think that, in general these principles may have a universal character and be applicable in the approaches of theinternational community to water issues.
I would also like to underline Turkmenistan's efforts at the national level. In particular, I am talking about theCode of Turkmenistan «On Water» adopted in 2014, which is the basis of a comprehensive program for thedevelopment and application of scientifically proven, more effective rules for the rational use of water resources,
their conservation and restoration, protection from pollution and depletion.
Creating unique artificial lake «Altyn Asyr» in the Karakum desert is one of the largest national projects.
Construction of this man-made reservoir which has the most complicated hydrotechnical engineering system
will allow us to successfully address pressing environmental, economic and social issues and work effectively toensure long-term environmental well-being both in Turkmenistan and entire Central Asian region.
When we implement such important endeavors, we believe that effective international cooperation onwater issues should be firmly based on appropriate work at the national level. These are complementary andinseparable processes. Here, we count on closer and more effective cooperation with Asia Pacific countries, aswell as broader exchange and application of experience.
Distinguished participants
Turkmenistan fully supports the goals and objectives introduced to the agenda of this Summit.
We expect that the outcome Declaration will be one of the platforms for further targeted and substantive
international cooperation. It will also determine long-term benchmarks taking into account current realities,
develop innovative models and management strategies to coordinate national water use programs with regionaland global development plans.
I wish all participants of Summit fruitful work.
Thank you for your attention.
84

H.E. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister of the People's Republic ofBangladesh
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaikum and good morning to you all.

I thank Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for inviting me to join the Fourth Asia-Pacific Water Summit being held in
the Japanese city of Kumamoto.
Water is vital for life. It is fundamental for sustainable development and for promoting a culture of peace. We
need to ensure sound water management to 'build back better' from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2016, I was a member of the UN High-level Panel on Water that adopted a 'Call to Action'. The mid-term
review of the Water Action Decade next year will provide us a platform in implementing the action agenda. The
Kumamoto Declaration will be a useful contribution to that process.
In Bangladesh, our government has taken an inclusive, whole-of-society approach to water management. Morethan 85% of our people have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities. We have almost
ended open defecation. Our fight against water-borne diseases is a continuous effort. From next month, we shalladminister 2.3 million cholera vaccines in the capital city.
Bangladesh is considered a "role model" in water related disaster management. Our investments in floodembankments, cyclone shelters, coastal polders, green belts, floating agriculture, river dredging, urban storm
water drainage systems have increased our resilience. We have benefited from developing early warning systems
and community-based interventions. Our floodplain management aims at managing the seasonal variations inwater availability.
We have drawn up a cross-sectoral Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to work towards a resilient and prosperous
delta. Our government is hosting an International Financing Conference next month for mobilizing resources for
implementing projects under the Plan.
We look forward to using the sediment loads flowing into the Bay of Bengal for reclaiming and elevating lands inour coastal areas. Bangladesh also stands ready to harness the untapped potentials of Blue Economy.

85

We are aware of the immense impacts of climate change on water. We see growing saline intrusion in our coastal
areas. We also see a sharp decline in ground water level in some parts of the country. Our government is giving
emphasis on nature-based solutions, including on rainwater harvesting. Our scientists have been working on
developing salinity and water-resistant, and drought-tolerant crops, and already invented a number of varieties.
We are taking an eco-system based approach to protecting our wetlands. We recognize our rivers to be living
entities.
In the Asia-Pacific region, we must combine our forces to share good practices, knowledge and technologies tohelp address our common challenges. A basin-wise approach is needed to manage the waters of trans-boundary
rivers. We attach importance to regional or sub-regional cooperation, including for hydro-power generation andtransmission.
We are indebted to our future generations to deliver on our international commitments on water, including
the water related SDGs. Our youths must be empowered so that they can become responsible actors for water
inclusiveness, efficiency and sustainability.
I thank you all.

86

H.E. Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Your Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
I am very honoured to participate in the 4th Asia-pacific Water Summit, and take this opportunity to commend
Japan's efforts and highly constructive role on this essential issue, which is vital to the development and progressof our region. I regret not being there in person today, in particular to admire and learn from the resilience ofKumamoto City and her people after the 2016 earthquake, and to experience first- hand, Kumamoto's cultural
vibrancy, especially during the spring season, including the city's renowned ground water resources.
As a country fundamentally committed to the agenda of water and sustainable development, Thailand has
placed strong emphasis on effective and integrated water resources management for sustainability and balanced
development, taking into account the importance of safeguarding water accessibility for all citizens and inparticular, not leaving future generations with the burden of deficient water resources. As such, Thailand enacted
legislation in the form of the Water Resources Act B.E. 2561 (2018), and a 20 – year Master Plan on Water
Resource Management to serve as a guiding framework for water resources solutions and development, which
covers the issues of mitigation, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction as identified in the Sendai
Framework.
As well, Thailand is fully supporting all efforts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals within 2030,
which has included priority budget allocation for efficient and effective infrastructure upgrades.
Indeed, the COVID – 19 pandemic has highlighted the weighty challenges of water resources management for
Thailand. Water for consumption is increasing among the urban population, as well as in the manufacturing andagricultural sectors. As a result, the Royal Thai Government continues to allocate water resources to efficiently
meet such needs, but with overarching importance given to ensuring balance in terms of demand and supply,and ensuring clean water access for consumption and sanitation. At the same time, water-related mitigation andadaptation measures, as well as an integrated green infrastructure have been undertaken by Thailand to increase
climate change resilience and also minimise possible losses from disaster situations.
To further promote technology and innovation in our water management efforts, the Royal Thai Government hascontinuously campaigned for water conservation by using the 3R's, which are: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. To
complement this, we have supported the use of local wisdom for area - based water resources management, andthe comprehensive implementation of early warning systems to minimise damages caused by water - related
disasters.
87For Thailand, collaborative partnerships between government, private, and civil society sectors are anotherkey driving for integrated water resources management. In this regard, Thailand has established the River
Basin Committee to serve as a muchly needed linking mechanism between policy, planning, and area - based
implementation, for maximum efficiency in total water management. The River Basin Committee, which includes
specialists from the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors, makes recommendations and suggests
solutions to water - related issues, and collaborates with local authorities across the country on integrated water
resources management.
Your Imperial Majesty,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
As the host of this year's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC Leaders Meeting, Thailand is promoting the
Bio - Circular - Green Economy Model or BCG Model as a socio economic recovery guideline in the aftermath of
the COVID – 19 pandemic. In this aspect, sustainable water management is underscored as a crucial element foreconomic development based on balance and sustainability, as well as for climate and environmental resilience.
To conclude, allow me to commend Japanese initiative and exemplary commitment to water and sustainable
development for the development of quality, resilient, and inclusive societies. With this, I firmly believe that theoutcomes of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto will be an important driving force for the Midterm
Review of the Water Action Decade 2018 – 2028, as well as for the achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals. In this connection, I wish to reaffirm, once again, Thailand' s commitment to this important agenda, andto enhancing cooperation with our regional partners for the sustainability of our precious natural resources andthe well-being of our peoples.
Thank you.

88

Hon. Dalton Tagelagi
Premier of Niue
His Excellency Mr Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
Yoshiro Mori, President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto City
Respective Heads of States and Head of Governments for Asia and Pacific Region
Leaders of the sub-regional Coordinators for Asia and Pacific Region
Excellencies
Officials
Ladies and gentlemen
Fakalofa Lahi Atu from Niue, I send warmest greetings to you all and wish you all success for this 4th Asia PacificWater Summit in Kumamoto Japan.
There are no surface water bodies in Niue. The water resource consists mainly of a groundwater lens withrainwater catchment providing a small supplementary supply for the island residents.
The Niue drinking water supply is currently free of charge for all its residents.
This freshwater lens of approximately 200 sq. Km, located 34 – 55 m below ground level.
The water for the Niue groundwater lens is deemed safe and of very high quality and is thus pumped directly to
consumers without any form of treatment.
Niue's water resources are vulnerable to any land surface activities and the close link between land andcatchments activities and coastal zone impacts.
Approximately 80% of water pumped from the underground lens was used for domestic purposes and the rest is
used for agriculture and commercial/industrial usage.
Last week the Government and people of Niue, in collaboration with Tofia Niue through the Ocean Wide (NOW)
public private partnership announced bold new marine legislation passed in November 2021 that will ensuresustainable use across its entire EEZ and sovereign while also contributing to the global environment and climate
action and key sustainable development goals.
The Niue Nukutuluea Multiple-Use Marine Park safeguards 100 per cent of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ
and Territorial seas), building on legislation passed in 2020 to fully protect 40 percent as a no-take Large Scale
89

Marine Protected Area (Niue Mona Mahu).
These efforts are a culmination of collective efforts over the last 6 years, including scientific assessment,
community consultation, and cost benefit analysis, and inspired by a baseline of over 1000 years of traditional
knowledge, practice and respect for our ocean.
Niue needs to strengthen our finances and human resource capacity in order to sustainably managed our capital
infrastructure investments in 2030 and beyond.
To the President of the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit, from the people of Niue we fully support the 4th APWS's
theme "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next Generation" and the Kumamoto
Declaration.
We have a moral responsibility to leave behind for our children and generations to come, the rich endowmentof natural capital that has underpinned all the generations before them. We cannot leave behind a debt that ourchildren are unable to bear.
Fakaue Lahi.

90

H.E. Jiba B. Kabua
Acting President of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Greetings from the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
I am honored to be involved in the discussion concerning Water as an item of necessity for life and development.
I wish to commend the leadership of Japan and in particular the leaders of Kumamoto City, as this is the City thatis the prime example of an intervention of conservation of natural water resources and being as well, a model fordisaster response and recovery.
Since the first World Summit organized by the United Nations, especially during the period in which Japan
took the lead in organizing discussion on water for the Asia Pacific Region, my country has been following thisimportant lead by Japan, and the mention of Kumamoto City and hosting the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit, issynonymous with Japan's leadership and contribution to the science and technology of water for development.
However, I wish to share with you my Country's own experience by the so-called best practices in water
management and development. In the main island, that is Majuro, where the seat of Government is located, theGovernment of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and JICA of Japan have cooperated with a water system thatcollects water on Airport Runway and store the collected water in reservoirs, while also collecting and pumping
water from a natural lens 30 miles away. This method of water management has existed for about 40 years. We
have no other natural source of water like a river or a lake, but we do have the Pacific Ocean. Indeed, this iswater and water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.
This is a reality on the ground and I believe this is the focus that my country should have. In other words, anappropriate water technology is in order, besides constructing reservoirs. I am of the opinion that a simple,
portable, and affordable technology is the way to address the needs of the family living in the remotest atolls of
the Marshall Islands. Kommool tata! address this 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit hosted in Kumamoto City, which
is an important example of conserving groundwater as well as disaster recovery.
Water security is a challenge throughout the wider Asia Pacific and also in Pacific Islands region. To consider fora moment the wider Asia-Pacific, in different ways, we have shared challenges to ensure fragile natural resources
while also achieving growth and development.
In the Marshall Islands, a key source of water security is currently run-off from our airport - our groundwatersupplies are very fragile, and even small changes can produce severe drought. Rising seas can and have91

inundated our thin freshwater lens, and we lack rivers and lakes.
We hope that this year's summit can help turn the 2017 Yangon Declaration into practical action throughout the
Asia Pacific, and also in the unique island-driven context.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is pleased to be now working closely with Japan to address our water
security in Majuro atoll, including with provision to expand rainwater reservoir and storage capacity, as wellas to address climate-driven impacts. Our population centers lack consistent access to basic water resources.
This effort is linked to a further initiative with the UN Development Program, our regional resources, and the
Marshall Islands government to address water security with a particular focus in interventions in our outer islands
communities. These remote locations are often at great risk during droughts. These are strong examples of direct
progress and successful partnership towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This Summit has an important role in considering the role of our youngest and generations. The political willneeded to better implement the Yangon Declaration of the 2017 3rd water summit can play a powerful rolein accelerating regional efforts to meet the UN SDGs. There is much we can learn within the wider region,
including from larger nations which also have islands and fragile coastal communities.
As Pacific Small Island Developing States, however, we also have unique challenges. Our populations are often
small, but our geographic area is vast, and often remote. Our fragile water resources and island environments
produces difficult risks and decisions. For atoll nations, we live for our water security on rainwater that can becollected, as well as a thin freshwater lens. As sea levels rise, our thin water lens is at growing risk of saltwater
intrusion. And where growing seasonal drought patterns and risks are rising, we are increasingly challenged tomeet drought disasters with adequate response. We cannot do it alone. And we must continue with our partners
to deliver not just studies or regional workshops but also with visible results in local communities.
Unlike many of our larger nation partners in the wider region, however, our small scale of economy andremote location raise transaction costs, and produce serious hurdles needed to attract infrastructure finance andinvestment at scale. As nations with high incidence rates of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes,
our water security also impacts our healthy, traditional food sources. Further, water security must also meanwater quality, and consistent access to safe and healthy water, on land and in our coastal areas, remains a major
challenge. Our water security policy is a guidepost, but policies alone won't move us towards the Sustainable
Development Goals. We are truly in a race against time.
As small island nations, however, we also have the unique opportunity as partners who may be able to serve as
innovation hubs, and can adjust strategies quickly while also meeting goals at national scale.
In closing, I know that important connections and thematic sessions this week at the 4th Asia Pacific Summit will
have an important impact in addressing vital needs in the Pacific Islands as well as the wider Asia Pacific.
Kommol tata.

92

High Level Statement
List of Speakers
April 23
■ In person
Brunei Darussalam

India

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Ir.
Awang Haji Suhaimi Bin Haji Gafar

Hon'ble Minister for Jal Shakti

H.E. Mr.Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Minister of Development

Indonesia

H.E. Dr. Ir. M. Basuki
Hadimuljono, M.Sc.
Minister of Public Works and Housing

Lao People's Democratic Republic

H.E. Mr. Phouvong Luangxaysana
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
and Environment

Niue

Hon. Crossley Tatui
Minister for Infrastructure and Finance■ Online
Kyrgyzstan

Mr. Nurlan Sheripov
Kurmanbekovich
Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the
Kyrgyz Republic

International Water Management Institute(IWMI)

Singapore

Dr. Amy Khor
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of
Sustainability and the Environment

Organisation for Economic Co- operation
and Development (OECD)

Dr. Mark Smith

Mr. Jeffrey Lloyd Schlagenhauf

Director General

Deputy Secretary-General

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNDRR)

United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO)

Ms. Paola Albrito

Mr. Hiroshi Kuniyoshi

Chief of BranchIntergovernmental processes, Interagency
cooperation and Partnerships

Deputy to the Director General93■ Video
Azerbaijan

Mongolia

His Exccellency Mr. Muktar
Babayev

Minister of Environment and Tourism

Mr. Bat-Erdene Bat- Ulzii

Minister of Ecology and Natural
Resources of Azerbaijan

Nepal

Ms. Pampha Bhusal
Hon. Minister for Energy, Water
Resources and Irrigation

April 24
■ In person
Phillipines

H.E. Ms. Jan Elizabeth Adams

Vice Chairperson of the Climate Change
Commission

Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary

Micronesia (Federated States of)

Samoa

H.E. Mr. John Fritz

H.E. Mrs. Faalavaau Perina
Jacqueline Sila-Tualaulelei

Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary

Tonga

H.E. Dr. Tevita Suka Mangisi

Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary

United Nations Centre for Regional
Development (UNCRD)

Mr. Kazushige Endo

Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary

Director

United Nations Development Programme(UNDP)

United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-Habitat)

Mr. Tetsuo Kondo

Mr. Atushi Koresawa

Direcor, Representation office in Tokyo

Director, Regional Office for Asia and thePacific

United Nations University Institute for the
Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNUIAS)

Dr. Akio Takemoto
Head of Programme and Administration

94

Australia

Hon. Robert E. A. Borje■ Online
Armenia

China

Ms. Gayane Gabrielyan

Mr Yuanyuan Li

Deputy Minister of Environment

Vice president of GIWP/President of IWRA
General Institute of Water Resources andHydropower Planning and Design (GIWP),
Ministry of Water Resources, P. R. China
International Water Resources Association(IWRA)

Palau

Fiji

Mr. Steven Victor

Hon. Mr. Jone Usamate

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and theEnvironment

Minister for Infrastructure andMeterological Services, Lands andMineral Resources

International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

World Bank Group

Dr. Pema Gyamtsho

Global Director, Water Global PracticeDirector General

Ms. Jennifer Sara

■ VideoRepublic of Korea

Solomon Islands

Ms. Jeoung-ae Han

Hon. Mr. Bradley Smoky Tovosia

Minister of Environment

Minister for Mines, Energy & Rural
Electrification

IsraelAsian Development Bank (ADB)

Mr. Yoram Morad

Mr. Woochong Um

Special Envoy for International Water
Affairs, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Managing Director General andActing Vice President for Knowledge
Management

Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD)

Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO)

Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
Executive Secretary

International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD)

Mr. Qu Dongyu
Director-General

Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)

Ms. Jyotsna Puri

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka

Associate Vice-President - Strategy andKnowledge Department (SKD)

President95

Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR)

Ms. Michelle Bachelet
United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights

United Nations Educational, Scientificand Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
Under-Secretary-General of the United
Nations and Executive Secretary

United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)

Ms. Audrey Azoulay

Ms. Inger Andersen

Director General

Executive Director

UN-Water

United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo
Chair of UN-Water and President of
IFAD, International Fund for Agricultural
Development

Ms. Patricia Espinosa
Executive Secretary

The Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Mr. Raouf Mazou

Associate Director of Water, Sanitationand Hygiene (WASH)

Assistant High Commissioner forOperations

World Health Organization (WHO)96

United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP)

Ms. Kelly Ann Naylor

World Water Council (WWC)

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Mr. Loïc Fauchon

Director-General

PresidentParallel Sessions
Parallel Session 1 Water and Disaster/Climate Change
Session title
End-to-End Efforts for Shifting onto a Sustainable and Resilient Path under Climate Change by All

Key message from the session
The IPCC has projected more frequent heavy rainfall, thus resulting in more frequent flooding, due to climatechange in most areas of the Asia-Pacific region, which is characterized by a monsoon climate and geographicaldiversity ranging from mountainous areas to deltas and islands. Especially in low-lying coastal areas, flood
disasters will become more devastating, accompanied by sea level rises. Agricultural and ecological droughts arealso projected to increase in East Asia and East Central Asia. Water-related disasters intensified by climate change
will directly affect artificial and natural environments. The impacts will extend to the water-food-energy nexus
and consequently affect many aspects of people's quality of life (QOL), including poverty, health, education, andlabor. In addition, once a society is adversely affected at many levels, more problems are likely to arise in areas
such as gender, equality, and peace.
All things considered, adaptation to climate change first requires quantifying acute and chronic physical risks bycombining climate prediction model outputs with hydrologic and hydraulic simulations. Adaptation measures
should then be selected and implemented based on comprehensive risk assessments considering physical risks
and regional needs and characteristics in terms of the environment, economy, society, culture, and history. In
conclusion, end-to-end approaches must be promoted, in which coordinated, cooperative action is taken ina gender-equitable, socially-inclusive manner in all three areas of science and technology, governance, andfinance.

Session overview
To prepare for the Theme-1 session on "Water and Disaster/Climate Change", twelve national and internationalorganizations have been working together as the lead and co-lead organizations since November, 2021.
Lead organizations: ICHARM, HELP, ADB
Co-lead organizations: MEXT, MoE, UN-HABITAT, SPC, IUCN, IWMI, ICIMOD, EC-IFAS, GWP

To respond to the questions from the three integration groups, science and technology, governance, and finance,
the Lead and Co-lead orgnizations planed three on-line pre-sessions in February and March, 2022, and reviewed
local, national, and international experiences and identified directions and actions to be taken. Based on thediscussions, the Theme-1 session in Kumamoto was designed and prepared in cooperation among the Lead andCo-lead organizations and the participants in the pre-sessions.
In Kumamoto, the Theme-1 session invited totally four keynote speakers, one for introducing his country's
initiatives, and the other three for representing science and technology, governance and finance, respectively. The
session also invited four panelists for introducing the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, the international coordination
framework, the multi-stakeholder inclusion perspective, and the national knowledge sharing activities,
respectively.
Based on the compilation of the efforts during the half an year, Theme-1 developed a strategy "End-to-end efforts"
for shifting to a sustainable and resilient path under climate change.

97Session agenda

Theme-1 Pre-session on Science and Techonology
Date and Time: 6:00-7:30UTC, Tuesday 15, February

Opening:
Prof. Toshio Koike, ICHARM

Local and National Reports:
1) Mr. Rajendra Sharma, National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority, Nepal
2) Dr. Youichi Ishikawa, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan3) Ms. Janaki Meegastenna, Department of Irrigation, Sri Lanka
4) Dr. Liu Jiahong, Institute of Water Resources & Hydropower Research, China

International Reports:
1) Dr. Amarnath Giriraj, IWMI
2) Dr. Mandira Shrestha, ICIMOD
3) Dr. Valentin Aich, GWP
4) Dr. Riko Oki, JAXA

Panel Discussion
Theme-1 Pre-session on Governance, on-line
Date and Time: 7:00-8:30UTC, Friday 18, February

Opening:
Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, HELP

Local and National Reports:
1) Mr. M. Mokhlesur Rahman, Center for Natural Resource Studies, Bangladesh
2) Mr. Tavanh Kittiphone, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR
3) Mr. Doan Doan Tuan, Water Partnership, Vietnam
4) Mr. Vadim Sokolov, Agency of IFAS, Uzbekistan

International Reports:
1) Mr. Vishwa Ranjan, IUCN Asia
2) Mr. Avi Sarkar, UN-HABITAT
3) Mr. Fany Wedahuditama, GWP Southeast Asia
4) Dr. Mamoru Miyamoto, IFI
5) Mr. Nestor Alfonzo Santamaria, OECD

Panel Discussion
Theme-1 Pre-session on Finance, on-line
Date and Time: 6:00-7:30UTC, Wednesday 30, March

Opening:
Prof. Toshio Koike, ICHARM

Local and National Reports:
1) Mr. Vibhu Goel, Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Program, India
2) Ms. Hitomi Miura, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. Japan3) Ms. Ayako Torii, KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co Ltd. Japan

International Reports:
1) Mr. Geoffrey Wilson, ADB
2) Mr. Christian Walder, ADB
983) Mr. Takashi Hongo, Mitsui & Co. Global Strategic Studies InstitutePanel Discussion:
Theme-1 Session in Kumamoto, in-person and on-line
Date and Time: 15:40-17:10 JST, Saturday, 23 April

Moderator:
Prof. Toshio Koike, , ICHARM, PWRI

Opening:
Mr. Takahiro Hayashi, Deputy Director-General, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Government of JapanKey Notes:
1) H.E. Mr. Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan
2) Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
3) Mr. Henk Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs , Kingdom of The Netherlands
4) Ms. Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank

Panel Discussion:
1) Prof. Rajib Shaw, Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the Sixth
Assessment Report, Keio University, Japan
2) Dr. Johannes Cullmann, Director, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on-line
3) Dr. Yumiko Yasuda, Senior Network and Transboundary Water Cooperation Specialist, Global Water
Partnership (GWP)
4) Mr. Robert Borje, Vice-Chair, Climate Change Commission, the Philippines

Closing:
Ms. Keiko Segawa, Deputy Director-General, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment,
Government of Japan

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)

Theme-1 Pre-session on Science and Techonology
This pre-session shared the reports from the national countries including Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, and China andthe international organizations including IWMI, ICIMOD, GWP, and JAXA. The panel discussion followed to talkabout the key questions: how the science and technology community develops a system to integrate knowledge
and foster human resources, and how stakeholders work together to provide end-to-end solutions.

Theme-1 Pre-session on GovernanceThis pre-session shared the reports from the national countries including Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Vietnam, andUzbekistan, and the international orgnizations including IUCN Asia, UN-HABITAT, GWP Southeast Asia,
ICHARM, and OECD.

Theme-1 Pre-session on FinanceIn this pre-session, presentations were given by experts from ADB and relevant private sectors working on theenhancement of water-related disaster resilience and climate change adaptation.

Theme-1 Session in Kumamoto
The main session started with an opening speech by Mr. HAYASHI Takahiro, the deputy director-general of the
Research and Development Bureau, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He99encouraged transformation into a "quality-oriented society", the theme set by the Water Summit, by strengthening
collaboration with related parties in the Asia-Pacific region.
Next, four speakers made presentations as keynote speeches. H.E. Mr. Daler Juma, the minister of energy andwater resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, expressed the nation's strong will to take urgent action in a clear
manner to solve water issues and continue acting at the forefront. Dr. YAMAKAWA Hiroshi, the president of theJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), stated that JAXA will contribute to solving water-related issues bystrengthening its satellite observation network with the latest space technology. Mr. Henk Ovink, Netherlands'
water ambassador, spoke about the three principal pillars of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, stressingthat it should be inclusive, action-oriented, and cross-sectoral. Ms. Neeta Pokhrel of the Asian Development
Bank emphasized that it is important for governments and leaders to mobilize field practitioners leading projects
in order to formulate the best possible policies and put them into practice.
A panel discussion followed with four panelists. Prof. Rajiv Shaw of Keio University, who is also a member ofWorking Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the Sixth Assessment Report,
mentioned the importance of governance, science and technology, and financing, pointing out that risks arecomplicated and have become even more complex while addressing differences between the findings reported
in AR6 IPCC and the previous report. Dr. Johannes Cullmann of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
argued that a global water information system should be urgently put in place, for the system will effectively
support assessments, formulation of adaptation measures, and a scientific understanding of climate change. Dr.
YASUDA Yumiko of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) emphasized the importance of partnerships among
various organizations representing different groups of people, such as women, indigenous peoples, and persons
with disabilities. She also explained that support can be provided in various ways, including guidance, materials,
capacity building, and project support. Hon. Robert Eric Borje, the vice-chairperson and executive director of
the Climate Change Commission, Philippines, stated that nations and organizations need to form a partnership toensure holistic, sustainable water management.
Finally, Ms. SEGAWA Keiko, the vice-minister for Global Environmental Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment,
gave a closing speech, reminding the participants that all stakeholders should try their best to fulfill their
responsibilities from both global and regional perspectives.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
Ground and satellite observation and monitoring must be strengthened to enhance the ability to predict climatechanges, extreme events, and other relevant phenomena. In addition, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary
collaboration must be promoted to translate physical risk information into risk information related to social
benefits and to provide integrated information that incorporates local and indigenous knowledge. It is critical tocreate and share information that is understandable and reliable while ensuring transparency and accountability.
To this end, the science and technology community and society must promote co-design, co-production and codelivery. At the same time, to support this effort, they need to team up with the information and communication
technology sector to develop a system to integrate the knowledge of the water cycle.

2) Governance
Cross-sectoral coordination is indispensable in municipal, prefectural, and national governments, as well as
multi-layered coordination among a broad range of activities from national to community levels. In order to100achieve this goal, it is essential to build a platform involving all stakeholders at each level. This platform aims to
select and implement adaptation measures based on the comprehensive assessment of climate change impacts,monitor the process and evaluate the results. After all this, the outcomes of the evaluation must be consideredin making evidence-based decisions on the next step. To set this cycle in motion, what is called "Facilitators" isnecessary. Facilitators are on-site catalytic agents who promote dialogue and provide expert advice for solving
problems. Communities need to train them with support from the science and technology community. In
addition, continuous capacity development opportunities must be provided at all levels by mobilizing face-toface, online, and other possible modes.

3) FinanceMore investment must be promoted to materialize the activities mentioned above. Studying investment gaps incommunities, nations, or regions must be supported by providing professional advice to them and encouraging
cooperation in them after monitoring and analyzing the current disaster risk reduction efforts in the AsiaPacific region. Our immediate attention should be directed at implementing measures combining multiple
technologies for different purposes such as early warning, forecasting, spatial planning, and water-related
disaster risk reduction. Such measures should be urgently implemented by scheduling what investment tool
should be employed at which timing while calling for cooperation from both public and private sectors. In thebusiness sector, physical risks attributed to climate change have been recognized by the Task Force on Climaterelated Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and stated in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This ishighly encouraging to further promote climate change adaptation, and in addition to the disclosure, adaptation
measures should be integrated into business continuity plans. More efforts should be made to share information
based on scientific evidence between the science and technology community and other sectors of society.

Participants in Theme 1:
Water and Disaster/Climate Change

Panel discussion

101

Parallel Session 2 Water Supply
Session title
Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Key message from the session
Providing affordable water supply to all, including poor communities and residents of informal settlements, byfostering different models of investments, building sustainable utilities, encouraging improved governance andpromoting sustainable tariff models.

Session overview
This session focused on urban water supply. Target 6.1 of SDGs set a global target to achieve universal andequitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. To achieve the goal, it is important not simply to
expand access, but to ensure that water supplies are resilient, inclusive and sustainable. This session discussed
three key themes: science and technology, governance and finance.

Session agenda
Apr. 23rd (Sat) 15:40 – 17:10 (90 min) (Japan Time) Room A2 / Online
1) Introduction2) Opening Remarks
3) Presentation 1
4) Presentation 25) Presentation 36) Panel discussion7) Summary8) Closing remarks

Ms. Changhua Wu
Vice Chair, Asia-Pacific Water Forum[in the room]
Governing Council
Mr. ONODERA Seiichi
Senior Vice President, JICA
[in the room]
Mr. Fuimaono Dominic Schwalger
Managing Director, Samoa Water[online]Authority, Samoa
Mr. KORESAWA Atsushi
Regional Representative, UN-Habitat[in the room]
Regional Office for Asia and the PacificMs. Simi Kamal
Chairperson, Hisaar Foundation, Pakistan[online]Moderator:
Ms. Changhua Wu [in the room]
Panelist:
Mr. Fuimaono Dominic Schwalger [online]
Mr. KORESAWA Atsushi [in the room]
Ms. Simi Kamal [online]
Mr. Binayak Das
Programme Coordinator – South Asia,[online]Water Integrity Network (WIN)Mr. ONODERA Seiichi
Senior Vice President, JICA
[in the room]

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)• Many questions were raised by the panelists, the moderator, and the audiences, and active discussion andinteraction took place. Good lessons were also obtained through the dialogue.
• In the case of Samoa (JICA), the cooperation is from an island country with challenges such due to climatechange and water crisis. Since there are not many water resources in island countries, these were very
interesting examples of how they overcame these challenges, how they reached the stage of generating102

revenue in the utility by supplying water and convinced their customers, and how they reduced non-revenue
water. These are cases that need to be replicated. Furthermore, the planned digitization in Samoa would be avery interesting step to understand the role of digitalization for water utilities.
• The UN-HABITAT presentation and the presentation from Hisar Foundation, Karachi had an overlapping focus
on communities and informal settlement, and highlighted major challenges that remain.
• There were very serious numbers shared by UNHABITAT on Asia Pacific regions progress towards the SDGs,
showing that we are significantly lagging behind. This is an important issue and we need to pick up urgently
how do we address this.
• Examples of good practices of water supply to communities in Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal were presented
by UNHABITAT. They display the possibility of ensuring water services to communities that do not have aformalized structure and process for ensruing water services.
• The examples from Samoa, Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal show that water services can be ensured in small
to medium size population and are probably manageable. On the other hand, the example of Karachi, amega-city, presents the biggest challenges that we face in terms of water supply to a diverse and very highly
populated cities. It is important to undertand how water supply are handled and the major challnges in megacities like Karachi. The SDG indicators which shows poor progress towards the goals is because the numbers
and indicators that are lagging behind can be considered coming from these megacities.
• Various problems still remain, but we need to look forward. We should focus on three areas of urban water
management, one is styrengthing governance including integrity management with the utilities; the second is
to incorporate more informal settlements into water management, and the third is to improve the managementof water utilities by improving the level of water services, gaining the trust of customers, politicians, andpolicy makers, securing an appropriate level of water tariff revenue, and mobilizing funds for investment.
• Governance and finance in water sector are issues that perhaps we need to focus more on. How to protect
the investments made, how to use them for the right purposes and ensure that they are not wasted are criticalissues.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
A) Visualizing the status of water supply services and management, and promoting consensus building on water
tariffs
B) Using DX and appropriate technologies to improve management efficiency and ensure integrity andtransparency of dataC) Developing technologies that will provide breakthroughs, policy formation based on scientific evidence, andmeasurements and observationsD) Developing institutional capacity

2) GovernanceA) Mainstreaming water integrity and transparency practicesB) Communicating sufficiently with stakeholders
C) Identifying marginalised groups, gaining the trust of women and other marginalized groups, understanding thechallenges, and using innovattive approaches to reach informal settlements
D) Ensuring community participation, including informal settlements
E) Considering that different types of urban areas may have different needs and capacities available that requiredifferent approaches
F) Water management should be envisaged as a cross-cutting issues, transcending sectors of intervention, space103needs to be made for all stakeholders contribution in decision makingG) Public institutions should have the responsibility of water management to ensure adequate distribution andaccess to water for all.

3) FinanceA) Regardless of the source of funds, sound management of utilities is a prerequisite for effective conversion offunds into benefits for all.
B) There is a need to safeguard current investments and that they are used for the purpose intended. Undertaking
strong financial integrity and fiduciary measures will improve utility creditworthiness.

Showcase actions
・ Country implemented:
・ The Overview (please write shortly):
・ Referable URL:

Samoa: Capacity of Samoa Water Authority (SWA) was improved by implementing integrated cooperation withwater utilities in Okinawa Prefecture, through infrastructure development and capacity development to reducehigh non-revenue water ratio and improve water supply quality as well as its inadequate water pressure. It
evidenced that improving water services can help users' understanding on tariff payments, although the water
tariff increased for most consumers due to a shift from fixed to metered tariff.
Laos, Myanmar and Nepal: The case studies showed that how community based actions following a people's
process can enable access of safe water supply to people who are poor and people who are living in informal
settlements.
Karachi: The example of Karachi as a mega city highlighted the key challenges in providing water services to a
population of 16 million. There are no clear demarcations in terms of governance and there is a political tug ofwar between the city and provincial governments. This hampers improving services for the water utility.
Despite the challenges, there have been initiatives to ensure water to informal settlements like the Orangi where
communities built, and managed water systems. The project current is facing a crisis as there has been loss ofleaders to violence by the water mafia.
Another key message from the presentation highlighted the role and leadership of women played is critical toensuring smooth water services.

104

Parallel Session 3 Water and the Environment from Source to Sea
Session title
Water and the Environment from Source to Sea– Multi-level Governance for Sustainable Natural and Social Environment –Key message from the session
The hydrological water cycle from source to sea is essential for natural environment, and also for humansocieties. As a nature-based solution, green infrastructure is an advanced technology to balance traditional andmodern engineering. Local materials and indigenous species can boost social resiliency and stimulate local
business. As a community-based approach, intergenerational engagement is a positive procedure to encouragesustainability. Especially young people working for forests, rivers, lakes, and the ocean can foster thankful mind
and transfer it to the next generations. Integrated management of such virtuous cycles of water, economy, andsympathy throughout river basins from source to sea will incubate quality-oriented societies.

Session overview
Water and the environment security is deeply linked to natural sustainability and human well-being. In the AsiaPacific region, however, our water-related circumstances are confronted with the threat from climate change,
ecosystem degradation, unpredictable diseases, man-made pollutions, inequitable governance, and othernegative impacts from human activities. Therefore, it is crucial to restore water and environmental systems andpromote its adequate management. We are at a critical stage to preserve our habitats for the future.
For sustainability of life, business and culture of the next generations, the most essential aspect is understandingof the water and environment linkages and application of nature-based strategies in human-regulated water
management. We, especially living in the Asia-Pacific region, have a responsibility to conserve natural and social"Water and the Environment" in a holistic manner from source to sea, through a multi-level governance for all
stakeholders.
The session was a stage from which to exchange lessons learned with each other, find reasonable and feasible
approaches, and engage ourselves to long-lasting actions. The discussion focused on combination of economic
development and environmental conservation building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration
between the public and private sectors, cooperation among local, domestic, and international stakeholders, thesystem of water environment administration including continuous and comprehensive biological survey, andgreen infrastructure improvement.

Session agenda
Date: April 23, 2022 (Sat) Time: 15:40 – 17:10 (JST)

Venue: Kumamoto Jo Hall, Kumamoto City, Japan and online

Lead Organizer:
・ Public Works Research Institute, Japan (PWRI)・ Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan (MLIT)・ Global Water Partnership (GWP)

105

Co-lead Organizer:
・ Executive Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS)
・ International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)・ UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)・ Japan River Front Research Institute (RFC)

Moderator
Dr. Hirotada Matsuki, Director, Water-related Hazard Research Group, PWRI

Opening Remarks
Mr. Howard Bamsey, Chair of Global Water Partnership

Key Note Speech <Video>
H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean <video>

Presenters
・ H.E. Mr. Serikkali Brekeshev, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, the Republic of

KAZAKHSTAN <video>
・ Mr. Taizo Mikazuki, Governor of Shiga Prefecture Government, JAPAN・ Ms. Ying Li, Southeast University / Yangtze Water Partnership MSP Project Group, CHINA <online>
・ Ms. Elvira Apriana, University of Gadjah Mada, INDONESIA <online>
・ Dr. So Nam, Chief Environment Management Officer, Environmental Management Division, Mekong River

Commission Secretariat <online>
・ Ms. Keiko Muraoka, Principal Researcher, Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute,

JAPAN

Conclusion and Closing Remarks
Ms. Ayuko Kato, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)
Mr. Howard Bamsey (GWP) opened the session and confirmed the questions of science and technology,

governance, and finance.
Mr. Peter Thomson (UN) stressed the importance of hysrological cycle and pointed out plastic pollution of theocean.
Minister Brekeshev (Kazakhstan) informed the restoration of the Small Aral ecosystem is one of the mostchallenging projects in the world. Mitigation of climate change impacts and human activities require thecollaborative actions of neighboring nations within closed watersheds. Authorization of the cross-bordercooperation and participation of international development partners are indispensable. Kazakhstan appreciates
the contribution of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS) for
reservoir restoration, further plans, and perspectives.
Shiga Prefectural Governor Mikazuki (Japan) explaimed that Japanese local governance has the core functionof substantially and continually promoting environmental policies. The natural conservation actions, launchedby local housewives, gradually developed and finally the Shiga prefecture governor established the Mother Lake
Goals of Biwa. Under a clear vision, the prefectural government empowers a cross-divisional implementation
mechanism encompassing pollution control, rivers, water supply, sewage, agriculture, and education. The
prefecture engages municipalities, financial institutions, and NGOs to involve all residents in practical lake
restoration programs. (Japan)
106Ms. Ying Li (China) showed multi-stakeholder partnership in managing the problem of plastic pollution within the

Yangtze River Chief System as a holistic, collabolative, participatory, result-oriented, and adaptive network. The
system has a policy to strengthen the capacity in regards to plastic pollution monitoing and control, and provide
experience in the management of other large rivers around the world. The sourc to sea approach is also working
for upstream-downstream communication in environmental management.
Ms. Elvira Apriana (Indonesia) introduced a community-based approach related to water resiliency engages

local communities and involves stakeholders by promoting gender equity and social inclusiveness. The RinjaniLombok Biosphere Reserve has education programs aiming to engage young people with real water-related
problems and forestry preservation by challenging them to look at different aspects of water management, giving
them room to contribute ideas and solutions, and letting them learn from experienced professionals in the field.
Dr. So Nam (Mekong River Commission Secretariat) detailed the national governances of Cambodia, Laos,

Thailand, and Vietnam place emphasis on the biological diversity of wetlands under the IWRM-based Mekong
Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030. Considering regional identity, the strategy is implemented throughconservation of biodiversity, long-term food and water security, and as adaptation to climate change. The strategicplanning cycle includes a mechanism for engaging communities and other actors and establishing cooperative
partnerships and networks.
Ms. Keiko Muraoka (Japan) reported technically innovated tools are necessary to continue basic monitoring andmake ongoing biological surveys more reasonable and reliable. In field surveys, the PWRI researcher's teamis developing an environmental DNA technology that will reduce survey costs. It will involve a cross-sectoral
monitoring network that will provide a comprehensive aqua-biological dataset. The technology will enhance the"National Census of River Environment" and should spread to the rest of the Asia-Pacific region for time-series
monitoring and inter-basin comparison around the world. She stressed importance of basic and continuous biodata collection.
Ms. Ayuko Kato, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) wrapped up

the session by emphasizing virtuous cycles of water, economy, and sympathy, and closed the session.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
Scientific knowledge on natural and social environment should be integrated into a transdisciplinary intelligenceand translated into the society. The reliable information assists biodiversity protection and nature-based
technology.
Integrated information is a fundamental tool in building a public consensus, which enables political decision
making. However, pollution networks and biological big data are sometimes hard to use due to their uncertainty
and ambiguity. To tackle these issues, the science and technology sector is expected to play an increasing
important role of verification. Only scientific professionals can guarantee the reliability of evidence and provide
quantified data that underlie political decision and accelerate business judgement.

2) Governance
While multilevel governance of freshwater and salt water is important. Political leaders have a mandate to set a
clear environmental vision. Sharing it, local leadership, national legislation, and international collaboration work107

together to activate environmental conservation and restoration.
Without mutual collaboration, no governance can manage environmental issues, such as environmental
conservation, pollution control, action continuity through generations, and private fund solicitation. Multilevelgovernance and mutual collaboration are crucial for biodiversity, social sustainability, and human welfare.

3) FinancePublic budgets should harmonize social, economic, and environmental priorities. Private funds should findprofitable projects considering environmental reproductivity, community empowerment, and customer's
participation.
Profit-based financing for the environment is a driving force to promote natural sustainability and human wellbeing. Its mechanism should be established by all stakeholders' effort to make the ecology understandable andthe economy stable.

Showcase actions

Kazakhstan
Restoring the ecosystem of the northern part of the Aral Sea
http://ec-ifas.waterunites-ca.org/aral_basin/institutions/ifas/index.html

Japan
Lake Biwa comprehensive conservation initiatives in Shiga, Japan (p10)https://www.4apws-kumamoto2022.jp/common/pdf/Collections_of_4thAPWS_Showcases_and_Roadmaps.pdf

China
Innovative policy for water conservation in Yangtze river basin: river chief system (p71)
https://www.4apws-kumamoto2022.jp/common/pdf/Collections_of_4thAPWS_Showcases_and_Roadmaps.pdf

Indonesia
UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge 2021 – Rinjani-Lombok Man and Biosphere Program
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-water-resilience-challenge-2021-sustainable-environment-2030-andbeyond

Mekong River Commission
Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance
2021-2025
https://www.mrcmekong.org/assets/Publications/BDS-2021-2030-and-MRC-SP-2021-2025.pdf

Japan
National census on river nature environment of over 30 years to contribute to climate change adaptation (p12)
https://www.4apws-kumamoto2022.jp/common/pdf/Collections_of_4thAPWS_Showcases_and_Roadmaps.pdf

Japan
Nature-oriented river works (p15)
https://www.4apws-kumamoto2022.jp/common/pdf/Collections_of_4thAPWS_Showcases_and_Roadmaps.pdf
108Shiga prefectural governor withKumamoto drinking water

Ms. Apriana, Dr. So Nam, and Ms. Li on the screen
Dr. Matsuki, Mr. Bamsey, Ms. Kato, Mr. Mikazuki,
and Ms. Muraoka on the floor

109

Parallel Session 4 Water and Poverty/Gender
Session title
Water, Gender and Poverty

Key message from the session
Water governance must embrace gender equality and social inclusion if it is to truly contribute to poverty
reduction as the world closes in on 2030, the world's deadline for meeting the ambitious Sustainable
Development Goals. Consistently integrating gender and poverty issues into scientific research in the watersector, including water-related disasters, can bring us closer to achieving more equitable and inclusive policy
making, governance, and funding.

Session overview
A comprehensive understanding of the links between poverty and gender and water is key to achieving
sustainable water governance. This session will present cutting-edge examples from the Asia-Pacific region onwater-related disaster risk reduction, gender equality, and sanitation that contribute to improving the livelihoodsof socioeconomically vulnerable populations, and discuss practical policy formulations and interventions forsustainable development. Specifically, case studies will be presented by researchers from the University of
Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Tokyo, as well as Global Water
Partnership and the International Water Management Institute who are working on poverty and gender issues in
the water sector. Based on these case studies, panelists from Asian countries will then discuss priority policies topromote poverty reduction and gender equality and make recommendations on the way forward. Other topics
to be discussed include science-based climate adaptation measures that balance poverty and long-term waterrelated disaster risk reduction, and four areas of action to advance on gender equality (Institutional leadershipand commitment; Gender inclusion and analysis that drives change; Meaningful and inclusive participation indecision-making and partnerships; and Equal access to and control of resources).

Session agenda

Session convenors:
Dr. Liza Debevec, Global Water Partnership
Dr. Akiyuki Kawasaki, Instiutte of Futre Initiatives, The University of Tokyo

Agenda:Keynote address: Kusum Athukorala, Chair of GWP South Asia

Presentations:
1. The impact of floods on poverty: Through field investigation in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Gouri De Silva, Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2. Science-based policy making for reducing poverty and disaster risk: A modeling approach.
Ms. Risa Nakamura, University of Tokyo, Japan

3. Promoting Women Social Entrepreneurship through Water ATMs in low income communities for safe
water access
Dr Veena Khanduri, GWP India Country Water Partnership;
Poonam Sewak, V.P. Program & Partnership, Safe Water Network India
110

4. Basin Women Forum as a platform to represent the voice of women in the IWRM Process at the
Syrdarya River Basin
Shohida Tulieva, Focal Point on "Gender and Social Equality" and Senior Project Officer "Basin management",
HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Tajikistan.

5. Promoting inclusive index insurance: challenges and ways forward
Sanjiv Da Silva, International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka;
Mr. Mohamed Aheeyar, Researcher, International Water Management Institute

6. Expanding our monitoring toolkit for gender equality in WASH: tools and insights from experiences in
Nepal and Cambodia
Jess MacArthur, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Panel discussion:
1. Dr. Rahmah Elfithri, Deputy Regional Coordinator, GWP Southeast Asia (GWP-SEA)
2. Mrs Guljamal NURMUHAMMEDOVA, Regional Coordinator of GWP Central Asia and Caucasus, (GWPCACENA)
3. Mr. Aung Myo Khaing, Director, Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems (DWIR),
Myanmar
4. Mr. Sardor Erjigitov, Founder, Zako Golden to Global, Uzbekistan

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)
The keynote speaker, GWP South Asia Regional Chair Kusum Athukorala, challenged participants to step up their
game in view of the fast-approaching 2030 deadline to reach the SDG goals on gender and equality in the watersector and beyond.
The respective presentations from Risa Nakamura and Gouri de Silva highlighted the importance of understanding
how natural disasters impact the livelihoods of the most poor and vulnerable populations, and stressed the needto ensure that scientific results not only influence the policy making but that this is done in a way that is pro-poor.
Poonam Sewak and Veena Khanduri presented a joint project between Safe water network India and GWP India
Country Water Partnership that aimed to promote women entrepreneurs through water ATMs in low-income
communities for safe water access.
Shohida Tulieva spoke about an initiative to increase women's participation in decision-making processes in the
IWRM processes in the transboundary Syrdarya Basin in Central Asia.
Sanjiv de Silva of IWMI presented research on why social inclusion matters when it comes to climate insurance,and highlighted both its benefits and the challenges of the inclusive approach to climate insurance.
Finally, the presentation by Jess McArthur addressed the importance of adopting gender transformative
approaches in WASH implementation projects and related challenges.
In the panel discussion, moderated by GWP's Senior Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist Liza Debevec, four
panelists addressed several important issues at the interface of gender and poverty in the water sector.
Guljamal Nurmuhammedova, Regional Coordinator of GWP Caucasus and Central Asia (GWP CACENA) reminded111

the participants that Central Asia and Caucasus are two sub-regions that had fully equitable and inclusive accessto water until the collapse of the Soviet Union. From the 1990s, Caucasus countries adopted European values, but
Central Asia turned back to a male dominated mentality in terms of governance. She stressed the need to ensure
equal access for women to all resources: water is only. In her opinion, the promotion of gender equality in water
management requires ensuring equity in education and career development for women. She concluded that efforts
need to be stronger in those countries where gender equality is traditionally not considered a priority.
Sardor Erjigitov, founder of Zako Golden to Global, a non-governmental educational institution in Uzbekistan,acknowledged the water-related issues of his country during his studies in the water field. He experienced low
quality education, outdated contents, lack of qualified teaching staff, and lack of financial support. Erjigitovtalked about how low-level salaries in the water sector make young water professionals with potential moveabroad or to other sectors. The goal of his NGO is to help students have a deep understanding of water issues in
Uzbekistan and the rest of the world.
Overall, the session stressed the importance of political will to advance gender equality and reduce poverty; theneed for gender analysis and integration of gender into biophysical research; and the use of scientific findings toensure policies are gender responsive and socially inclusive.
Rahmah Elfithri, Deputy Regional Coordinator of GWP Southeast Asia (GWP SEA), emphasized the need toinclude women in the overall planning and policy framework to ensure better addressing of water-related
issues. She stressed the key role of community level involvement to improve water management and cited thecontribution of gender mainstreaming workshops in Southeast Asia.
Aung Myo Khaing, from the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems (DWIR) in
Myanmar, is involved in water-related disaster risk-reduction, including flood and cyclone risk reduction.
He spoke about how disaster risk-reduction requires the involvement of multiple departments including theEnvironment Conservation Department, Department of Forest, Department of Water Utilization, and theDepartment of Mining. He made several recommendations for mitigating water-related disasters such as
conducting technical research, public awareness programs, maintaining drainage systems, advancing weather
forecast facility, and including law enforcement in decision-making.
Finally, the summary statements from this session to the Plenery (three Integrated Sessions) was delivered by
Akiyuki Kawasaki, Instiutte of Futre Initiatives at University of Tokyo, in terms of Science and Technologies,
Governance, and Finance, as conlusions.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
Research shows that gender and inclusion analysis can drive change. Therefore, we must commit to carrying out
gender and inclusion analysis at all levels as a core component of research to ensure true integration of gender.
Furthermore, we need to ensure all research teams are gender balanced and diverse.
We need to deepen our understanding of the impact of water-related disasters on the livelihoods ofsocioeconomically to ensure we design effective policies for disaster risk reduction and climate adaption. Moredetailed household survey and data collection about vulnerable populations is needed for understanding theinterlinkages between disaster, poverty and gender related issues.
112

To ensure this, it is essential to approach research from an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary wat, blending
local knowledge, social, physical, and natural sciences. Technical assistance from scientific researchers, who canuse modelling, simulation, and scenario analysis techniques, among others, is essential in promoting evidencebased policy making.

2) Governance
Gender equality and social inclusion that leads to improvement of lives and poverty reduction should be madea core business goal for any institution, including the government. This requires institutional leadership andcommitment beyond statements of intent.
Policies for water related disaster risk reduction should be written with the objective of alleviating poverty
and addressing gender equality. This means that the socio-economic impact through water-related disaster risk
reduction should be considered not only through the direct benefit of reducing the disaster loss and damage but
also through the indirect benefit of socio-economic development.

3) Finance
Gender equality and social inclusion interventions that aim to reduce poverty and improved livelihoods require
designated funding. All budgets should aim to be at least gender responsive, if not gender transformative.
Financial support for fostering facilitators and development of data platform is essential to promote synthesis
analysis for evidence-based policy making through close collaboration between science and policy.

Showcase actions
・ Country implemented:

Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan

113

Parallel Session 5 Water & Sanitation/Wastewater Management
Session title
Toward the realization of appropriate wastewater management to contribute to sustainable development[Session No. 5 Water & Sanitation / Wastewater Management]

Key message from the session
Water is absolutely essential to human beings, especially to maintain public health. Wastewater management
is one of the potential initiatives to increase the attractiveness of urban areas by ensuring public sanitation andimproving the water environment. In order to push forward the strengthening of management, it is necessary tohave not only a well-organized governance, but also investments through public-private partnerships and theapplication of science and technology innovations in different areas of the Asia-Pacific region.

Session overview
This session was held in order to discuss the urgent and essential matter of accelerating and improving
wastewater management in the Asia-Pacific region. It was hosted on April 23, 2022 by the Japan Sanitation
Consortium and UN-Habitat, in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ofJapan and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
The session started with opening remarks from the representatives of two ministries of Japan: Mr. Norihiro
Nakayama, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Mr. Yasushi Hosaka, ParliamentaryVice-Minister of the Environment.
State Minister Nakayama emphasized that the central and local governments should commit to strong governancefor wastewater management, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka mentioned the need to develop appropriate
wastewater treatment facilities and strengthen partnerships among countries.
In the first half of the session, Mr. Seiichi Onodera from JICA gave a keynote speech on sustainable sanitation
improvement, titled "Development of wastewater treatment facilities that contribute to sustainable development,
operation and maintenance and cooperation with stakeholders". Then, Dr. Avi Sarkar from UN-Habitat deliveredan address on the achievement of SDGs, titled "Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene facilities
and improvement of water quality".
In the latter half, Dr. Taku Fujiwara, Professor at the Department of Environmental Engineering of Kyoto University,and moderator of the session, chaired the discussion with the panelists who presented different experiences andchallenges faced to accelerate the progress of SDG 6.3 and promote measures against climate change.
In conclusion, Dr. Fujiwara summarized the session through a proposal including the key messages mentioned
above for the three Integrated Sessions, respectively on governance, finance, and science and technology.
Note: Number of attendees: 27 in person; 96 online.

114

Session agenda
1) Opening Remarks
Mr. Norihito Nakayama; State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); JapanMr. Yasushi Hosaka; Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment (MOE); Japan
2) Keynote Speech
Development of wastewater treatment facilities that contribute to sustainable development, operation andmaintenance and cooperation with stakeholders

Mr. Seiichi Onodera; Senior Vice President; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
3) Thematic Speech
Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene facilities and improvement of water quality
Dr. Avi Sarkar; Regional Advisor; South-East Asia: UBS; UN-Habitat4) Panel Discussion
Sewerage in Japan and AWaP activities

Mr. Ryuji Uematsu; Director General; Sewerage and Wastewater Management Dept.; Water and Disaster
Management Bureau; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
Brief Introduction of Water Environment Partnership in Asia (WEPA)

Dr. Pham Ngoc Bao; Deputy Director; Adaptation and Water; Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Financing sanitation

Ms. Allison Woodruff; Principal Water Security Specialist; Asian Development Bank (ADB)
City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation

Mr. Numeri Zaman; Joint Secretary (Policy Support Branch); Local Gov. Division; Ministry of Local Government;
Rural Development & Co-operatives; Bangladesh
Nepal WASH sector status overview

Ms. Meena Shrestha; Joint Secretary; Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS); Nepal
Policy and future challenges in the field of Sewerage in Vietnam

Dr. Mai Thi Lien Huong; Director General; Administration of Technical Infrastructure; Ministry of Construction(MOC); Vietnam
Overall Facilitator: Dr. Pierre Flamand; Manager – International Affairs; Japan Sanitation Consortium (JSC)

Key discussion points (including each presenter's/panelist's discussion points)
Based on the legal system and framework made by the central government, the relevant stakeholders – suchas the central government and local governments, the private sector and citizens – share responsibility for thedevelopment of sewage works. In addition, it is very important to strengthen partnership among countries toshare knowledge, experiences, technologies, and solutions.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
It is recommended to consider various regional characteristics – such as population, climate change, biodiversity,
culture and health (including infectious diseases) – to select the most appropriate technologies. It is also
particularly important to promote the beneficial use of wastewater sludge, treated effluent, and risk information.

1152) Governance
It is critical to establish a legal system and technical standards in order to clarify the responsibilities of central andlocal governments, private companies, and residents. In addition, it is very important to strengthen partnershipamong countries to share knowledge, experiences, technologies, and solutions.

3) FinanceIt should be considered that the public sector (both central and local governments) ascertains whether its
investments in wastewater management provide a prompt and necessary boost to accelerate the implementationof SDGs and climate change measures as well as to attract private sector investments.

Opening Remarks by State Minister Nakayama

Panel Discussion

Opening Remarks by
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka

Session Venue

116

Parallel Session 6 Youth Leadership & Innovation by Youth
Session title
Meaningful Youth Engagement for Water security and resilience in Asia and the Pacific- Creating intergenerational partnerships for sustainable outcomes

Key message from the session
Youth play a significant role in promoting an inclusive, sustainable and resilient society in Asia and the Pacificand moving beyond the tokenistic inclusion of youth should be seen as a major priority. Youth should be seen as
valuable partners in promoting water security in the region. This would entail adopting positive attitudes toward
working with young people as equal partners; creating safe and conducive spaces for young people to engage indecision-making processes and lead initiatives; and involving them every step of the way.

Session overview
Youth are acknowledged as important actors in the achievement of development ambitions, including the
Sustainable Development Goals. In the water sector, youth-led initiatives include peer- and community-focused
education and behavior change on water issues, clean-ups and other water management practices, innovation,
research and policy advocacy, among others. Rather than working for youth, meaningful youth engagement
emphasizes recognizing youth as "experts of their own issues" with valuable contributions to development. Youthand adults should work collaboratively in shared value partnerships so that there is a sharing of expertise andknowledge between both parties; creation of value for both partners; having common objectives, joint ownershipand shared decision-making; and building a partnership on foundations of trust, respect and reciprocity.
In this session, we will gain an insight into the meaningful intergenerational partnership pathways at all levels
and discuss how they can be strengthened for water security and resilience in the Asia Pacific region.

Session agenda
Item

Time

Description

Opening Remarks

5 minsMinh Nguyen, Programme Coordinator, ADB Youth for Asia
Dr. Tsugihiro Watanabe, Secretary General, Youth Water Forum
Kyushu, Professor of Kumamoto University, Kyoto University

Feedback from Dakar

5 minsKarishma Asoodani, World Water Forum Youth Focal Point for Asiaand co-chair of session

Case Studies Presentations

20 mins

Tharika Fernando – Founder of Today for Tomorrow, Youth for Water
and Climate (YWC) awarded project: Supplying life to the village ofSinhanagawilluwa (Virutal)
Maria Tsuzuki, Student, Linden Hall School - 3R Project (Live)
Gina Kandiati - Lead Youth Project Coordinator, Asian Development
Bank's Youth for Asia (Regional) - Virtual117Panel Discussion

30 mins

Moderator: Rianna Gonzales, Water Resources Specialist, YouthGWP (virtual)
Panel Speakers:

・Rafid A. Shidqi, Atoll Youth Climate Project (virtual)
・Mr. Toshiyuki Miyazaki, Director General, Kyushu Regional

Agricultural Administration Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries) (live)
・Kei Namba, Water Industry Professional (live)
Reactions and Questions

25 mins

Statement
Japan High school students Ms. Sara Katayama and Mr. Yuta
Umesaki, Kumamotokita High School, Kumamoto, Japan introducedby KeiReactions
Hon.Crossley Tatui, The Honourable Minister for Finance andInfrastructure, NIUE Government
Hisaka Kimura, Head, Private Sector Infrastructure Finance, East Asia
at Asian Development Bank (virtual)

Professor Satoko Seino, Associate Professor, National University
Corporation Kyushu University, Urban and Environmental
Engineering
Summary and Closing
Remarks

5 minsKarishma Asoodani and Kei Namba

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)
Mr. Toshiyuki Miyazaki

Main points: He focused on the inclusion of youth in the agricultural sector and highlighted the need to shareknowledge in particular on rice paddy management. He stated that there are opportunities for youth in this space
but it is not taken up or youth ar not interested.
Kei Namba

Main points: There has to be a balance between the roles of senior experts and young professionals as there has
to be a level of trust and partnership when working together. Gave an example of being part of the SIWI Young
Scientific Committee for Stockholm Water Week. She also highlighted that youth should be part of the entire
project management cycle from design, implementation, resource mobilization and monitoring.
Rafid A. Shidqi

Main points: He highlighted the connection between the coastal zones and fresh water systems and theimportance of this for the pacific islands. He spoke on the traditional passive contribution and collaboration ofyouth that is inherently cultural. He highlighted that young people should hold their governaments accountable
for the decisions that are made and urges governments to create opportuites for young people to be moremeaningfully involved in water decision processes. He also highlighted the innovative skills of some high school
students in his region that have developed a solar powered deveice that works to desalinize water for use.

118

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
It's highlighted that young people have the potential in championing and providing innovative solutions to water
security and resilience as well as maximizing the use of technology to provide data to better inform policies. It isalso seen that there is a lack of inadequate/inclusive reliable data and statistics that show the impact that water
insecurity and climate change, such as access to education and decent employment, have on youth and more so
marginalized youth.
• Youth must be empowered to provide solutions and demonstrate their expertise in specific areas, especially intechnology, innovation, and data. This can be done through research opportunities and technical and financial

support for youth led projects and research• Invest in research and collection of disaggregated data to make sure that policymaking and programmaticinterventions are informed and address the intersectionalities and marginalisation to protect young people's
right to access education, decent employment that enables social, economic and political inclusion irrespectiveof sex, disability, race, origin, religion and economic status.

2) Governance
Governance
Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE) should be encouraged, initiated and supported further, in the ongoing
constitution of the political, social, economic, technical and administrative processes of water governance.

Stakeholders should distil the practical learning and experiences from development projects to take a pro-active,
inclusive and determined next steps to ensure the right and conducive enabling-environment (personal andinstitutionally) for MYE.
The potential areas for strengthening Youth-Government partnerships at all levels in water governance are i)
facilitating and enabling youth and community stakeholders to participate in community awareness programs,

advocacy activities; and capacity building ii) enabling formalised meaningful representation in relevant bodies
of water governance; and iii) further developing and budgeting water intergenerational programs and youth
economic empowerment in water programs.

3) Finance
To promote direct investment in the priority issues that affect young people, including youth initiatives andenterprises, youth organizations, and in productive sectors and activities that benefit them most

It is recognized that cross-cutting interventions through multi-stakeholder models require additional resources
to support the necessary additional dialogue, planning and coordination. Successful examples on the groundhave demonstrated the resourcefulness, speed and cost effectiveness of working with youth. Institutionalizing anapproach across levels to address water security and resilience is necessary to deliver on the water for all vision.
The private sector should also foster youth entrepreneurships and increase financial investment in youth-

led and small businesses and enterprises and work closely with the Government to encourage an active labour
market. Use public-private partnership as a tool for decent growth in the economy.

119Showcase actions
Tharika Fernando – Founder of Today for Tomorrow, Youth for Water and Climate (YWC) awarded project:

Supplying life to the village of Sinhanagawilluwa (Virutal)・ Country implemented: Sri Lanka
・ The Overview (please write shortly):

Project - Supplying life to the village of Sinhanagawilluwa. The project consists of getting 20 families

connected to the village's ongoing rural water supply scheme, further construction of a rainwater harvestingtank for them to irrigate throughout the year, and further construction of a latrine system for the school. The
non-structural means establishing a youth water organization in the village to practice sustainable practices
of safeguarding water and knowledge sharing sessions from experts about sustainable usage of waterand upgrading their lifestyles. This project is supported through the Youth for Water and Climate Platform
coordinated by the International Secretariat for Water and the Global Water Partnership
・ Referable URL: Bindu Drops

Maria Tsuzuki, Student, Linden Hall School - 3R SDG Project (Live)・ Country implemented: Japan・ The Overview (please write shortly):

This project showcases how to achievie sustainable economy in more circular way by reducing waste,
recycling and reusing materials. She and her team through their school SDG Project has creted a mechanism touse old clothing to create their school P.E. uniforms in collaboration with private sector and school. It is aimed
that the project will expand to other schools
・ Referable URL:

Gina Kandiati - Lead Youth Project Coordinator, Asian Development Bank's Youth for Asia (Regional) – Virtual・ Country implemented : Nepal and Pan Asia
・ The Overview (please write shortly):

The case study explains the concept of Meaningful Youth Engagement, the integration of MYE into ADB's
operations and the implementation of MYE across Asia and the Pacific to encourage intergenerational
partnerships for water security and resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Also highlights a specific project on the
Bagmati River, Nepal, A youth-led peer to peer learning program aims to enable youth and children to learn
about Sustainable Development Goals and 3R practices to take action from the ground level for a healthy andclean Bagmati River Basin・ Referable URL:

120

121

Parallel Session 7 Water and Food
Session title
Water and Food

Key message from the session
It is crucial to develop advanced science and technology easily utilized in the Asia Pacific region, to introduce
the economic/collateral mechanisms for the policy making with the acknowledgment of the regional differenceof the water cycle and to invest to the agricultural sector for promoting and enhancing sustainable water
management in agriculture.

Session overview
This Thematic Session will promote proper methods and technologies for increasing productive or efficient andinclusive water use in agriculture (irrigation) in East, Southeast, South and Central Asia, with regard to SDGs
Target 6.4, through introducing activities, their outcomes and resulting learning in these regions. The Session will
also clarify the effective connectivity with other SDGs Targets such as Target 7.2, shifting to renewable energy
with utilizing small-scale hydropower and solar system, Target 13.1, strengthening resilience and adaptive
capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters as well as Target 2.4, with proper agricultural water
management.

Session agenda
1Opening Speech
H.E. Mr. Rokuta Shimono (Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, MAFF)

2

Opening Speech
H.E. Mr. Guyzgeldi Bayjanov (Chairman, The State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan)3

Presentations

3-1 "Water Use Efficiency of agricultural sector considering heterogeneity in countries characteristics"
Dr. Kyohei Matsushita (Professor, Faculty of Economics, Shiga University)
3-2 "A Socio-Technical Approach to Water User Associations"Dr. Sanjiv de Silva (Senior Regional Researcher, IWMI)
3-3 "Between development and uptake: stories from Asia and Africa"
Dr. Maher Salman (Senior Land And Water Officer, FAO)
3-4 "ADB – Water and Food Operations in South Asia"
Ms. Mio Oka (Director, Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, South Asia Department,
ADB)
3-5 "Research trend of water use efficiency in paddy field"
Dr. Keigo Noda (Associate Professor, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University)
4

Q&A

5

Wrap-up

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)
1 As the efficiency of production technology suggests, improvement of water use efficiency defined by SDGs
might be achieved via an increase of agricultural production rather than water use saving.

122

Because substitutability among inputs varies by region, strategies to improve agricultural efficiency are
different by region, reflecting heterogeneity in countries' characteristics. (by Dr. Kyohei Matsushita)
2 Long-term sustainability of water user associations requires not only the development of irrigation facilities,
but also broader investments such as improved agronomic practices and possibly diversification, better links
to value chains, and structural investments in the region e.g. roads, transport, credit facilities, ICT. (by Dr.
Sanjiv de Silva)
3 For successful innovation and uptake with advanced water management technologies, it must be codeveloped with farmers. The pace of development and the pace of uptake at field level must be balanced
through enhanced knowledge management and sufficient training. A combination of different typesof innovations, including social, process and technology innovations, will benefit all members of thecommunities, while minimizing the risk of failure of innovation or failure of uptake. (by Dr. Maher Salman)
4 With the growing need for climate action in South Asia, the ADB has increased its climate change financing
offerings to developing member countries to $100 billion from 2019-2030.
As a scheme to realize this, ADB also established the "CLIMATE CATALYST FINANCING FACILITY" incooperation with the Gates Foundation. (by Ms. Mio Oka)
5 Most studies of Water Use Efficiency in paddy fields are based on field experiments, but should be evaluatedin whole scale of the irrigation scheme or watershed.
In order to achieve both Water Use Efficiency improvement and Ecosystem Services enhancement, scientificevidence and/or innovative technology are necessary. (by Dr. Keigo Noda)

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
In order to achieve both improvement of agricultural productivity and pursuit of sustainability, this session willpropose that developing advanced technology and science that can be easily utilized in the Asia Pacific region
in the field of water management is important and we also insist that it is important to realize the innovation
utilizing those advanced technology and science.

2) GovernanceIn this session, instead of pursuing a simple reduction in water utilization in the agricultural sector, we will
focus on the characteristics of the water cycle in each Asia Pacific region and the trend of increase / decreasein the amount of available water resources affected by the climate change. Based on this, considering aneffective approach including the policy making and the introduction of economic/collateral mechanisms tocomprehensively evaluate the positive and negative impacts of water on agricultural production and rural areas
should be needed to implement appropriate water management for water use efficiency.

3) FinanceThis session recognizes the importance of improving water use efficiency/productivity in the agricultural sector
not only for improving agricultural productivity, but also for responding to cross-sectional issues such as climatechange and for co-prosperity with other issues. Therefore, we will propose that investment in tangible as well
as non-tangible measures that contribute to the improvement of water management methods in the agricultural123

sector should be more actively taken.
In addition to this, in recent years, the mechanism of public-private partnership (PPP) in various sectors has
been very widespread, so it is effective to incorporate not only in economic support from the government orinternational organizations, but also in the utilization of this mechanism.

Opening Speech (Mr. Rokuta Shimono)

124

Presentation (Dr. Maher Salman (FAO))

Parallel Session 8 Water, Culture and Peace
Session title
Water, Culture, and Peace

Key message from thesession
We should aim for countries to work together and improve collaboration across broders. It is important to raiseawareness among leaders. While water can be a source of conflict, water can also bring peace. Transboundarywater cooperation is a key to ensure peace and multistakeholder regional dialogues can be initiator for dialogue
between countries. To ensure sustainable finance, we should ensure financial commitment from government andpartner to really commit and ensure good practices from history, i.e. practices for water and security and acrossthe border cooperation. Ancestral knowledge should be harmonized with technology in order to learn fromdisasters in the past. When we learn from history, we can better adapt to climate change.

Session overview
Peace in international water courses is intricately bound to water issues. As water is fundamental source for lives
and livelihood of people and a key element for the environment, excess, shortage, and pollution of water has
been of major concern for leaders, politicians, diplomats, stakeholders and citizens. Such concern and awarenessare heightened in particular when water is in extreme status.
Water hazards such as floods, droughts and water pollution in international water courses can lead to tensions
among countries. At the same time, water-related hazards can become an opportunity to foster peace among
riparian countries by their sharing of critical information and by their extending support to affected countries.
Countries and stakeholders can hope for lasting solutions and better relations by jointly overcoming water crisis.
Countries, people, and all relevant stakeholders should be prepared and take necessary actions to build peace
before, during and after water crisis.
In the process of fostering peace and cooperation through water, it is critical to respect cultural and historical
relationship between people and water in the riparian countries since water has been closely associated withhuman being since ancient civilization periods. It has interacted with the people in critical fields for their
existence such as health, food, energy, disasters, and environment. Therefore, relations between the people
and water are not only practical and physical but emotional, philosophical, and even spiritual, so it affects thepeople's way of thinking and beliefs.
At this session, we would learn from the history of interaction between people sharing water as well as therelationship between people and water. The lessons gleamed from the exercise will give us a clue to create better
paths towards holistic and sustainable development and peace of regions with no one left behind.

Session agenda
Moderator: Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, Professor of GRIPS/HELP Coordinator
Opening speakers: High level represetatives of the lead organizations• Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of High Eevel Experts and Leasers Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP)• Prof. Howard Bamsey, Chair, Global Water Partnership125• Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Beijing, UNESCO
Keynote speakers:• H.E. Prof. Danilo Türk, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Chair of the Global High-Level Panel on
Water and Peace and Lead Political Advisor of the Geneva Water Hub (video message)• H.E. Mr. Nazarov Azimzhon, First Deputy Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan• Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UNECE
Presentors for virtual "world tour to water heritages" by youth:• The Youth Team on Water and Heritages
Panelists:• Dr. Jerome Deli Priscolli, USA• Dr. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto, Advisor for Minister of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia• Dr. Yumiko Yasuda, Senior network &Transboundary Water Cooperation Specialist• Mr. Koos Wieriks, Chair of IGRAC

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)

Dr. Han, Chair of HELP• HELP has been actively involved to raise awareness on water and disaster in concrete matter. For example,
HELP has published a guiding principles to build resilience post-Corona world has been launched an the 5th
UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disaster in New York City in June 2021.
• History shows that there are more cases when disasters trigger collaborations between countries rather thancausing conflicts. This meeting also marks the launching of The Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, andAfter Water-related Disasters in the session by turning crisis into peace.

Dr. Howard Bamsey, Chair of Global Water Partnership• Dr. Bamsey shares how the whole human experience with water is related to culture and peace. The notion ofsustainability development is related to everything. Water is essential for sustainable development and if wehave sustainable development, we will have the water that we need.
• In some cultures, water and sources of water are venerated or even worshipped as it is the foundation of life.
However, there are also cultures which don't respect water and the role it plays in life. This difference will be
the basis of the discussion in the session.
• Dr. Bamsey agrees with Dr. Han that the sharing of water can be a way to build peace, but it can also be asource of tension and even conflict. It is really important that in fostering peace through water, we respect thecultural and historical relationship between people and water in the country concerned. The relationship is not
only practical but also can be philosophical, emotional, and spiritual. Understanding that data can help create
better path to create holistic, sustainable development, and peace.
• Sharing water resources across national boundaries is particularly difficult to mention of the balance between
territorial sovereignty and central sharing of common resources. It's not unusual occurrence as transboundary
fresh natural resources exist. Cooperation in managing transboundary water resource is essential for water
security and peace.
• Not many countries share agreement or create indicator/data sharing regarding transboundary water resources.
This underpins the need for agreement or strengthening cooperation regarding transboundary water resources.

Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Beijing, UNESCO• Dr. Khan shares about water, culture and peace link with IPCC Report: Climate Change Risks for Peace and126

Sustainable Development. UNESCO is also working on Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme.
• The UN2023 Water Conference: Water Action Decade is a very important concept in UNESCO, and they havehosted some activities including UN Water Groundwater Summit leading to the conference.
• Dr. Khan introduced the River Culture Concept: learn from the river to live with the river.
• Dr. Khan also includes a part about UNESCO heritage sites for peace and sustainable development. They
wish to do active localization of SDGS by engaging communities and youth and protecting the world's
natural heritage for future generations by fostering local economic development that is socially and culturally
appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
• Japan is taking leadership role for ESD while Korea is taking leadership role in GCED. These concepts will help
build capacity.
• UNESCO will also publish a book titled Global River Culture. Key message: nature-based solutions andsustainable innovations are very important.

H.E. Prof. Danilo Türk, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Chair of the Global High-Level Panelon Water and Peace and Lead Political Advisor of the Geneva Water Hub• Water is a powerful force and a matter of survival. It has no substitute. It shapes history, defines boundaries,
and cause civilizations to flourish and collapse. It is also shown in various forms of religions and culture.
• Prof. Turk emphasizes the importance of water, culture, and art. Peace is culture and it should be nurtured
and protected. Water action and water cooperation are instruments of peace. Prof. Turk gave example oftransboundary water cooperation as instrument of peace, with fighting over as conflict of water.
• Example given is Ukraine. Water infrastructure as object of armed attack is an issue. Peace effort in Ukraine
should include vital management of water and transboundary water cooperation.
• Another example: Sahel region in Africa. Comprehensive peace effort with water management should becentral to the issue. Comprehensive approach after management, preparedness of future disasters, and effective
preparation of future disaster is essential for future peace in the region. Global warming also exacerbates theimpact of water disaster such as flood and drought.
• Prof. Turk calls for stronger conceptual framework for international cooperation to better prepare for water
disasters. He also introduces The Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, and After Water-related Disasters
as the basis for much needed conceptual framework for effective international framework. He went on to
explain about the content of the principles briefly. For example, he explains about the significance of building
the much-needed awareness including among political leaders is fundamental to maximize use of resources
and improve existing resources. Leaders should understand the need for preparedness for enjoyment of humanrights. Prof. Turk calls for adaptation to negative effect of global warming by increasing preparedness. He calls
for the importance of sharing of information. Only strong information base can allow effective mitigation ofdisaster.
• Prof. Turk discusses about the UN2023. The Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, and After Water-related
Disasters can be an important part of the effort. He calls for finalizing the principles as conceptual framework.

H.E. Mr. Nazarov Azimzhon, First Deputy Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan• Mr. Azimzhon discusses about water sector development concept of Uzbekistan from the period of 2020-2030.
He explains about the two major rivers that are shared between central Asian countries. Transboundary water
management is a key issue that they are focusing on. Water is mostly used for agriculture in Uzbekistan.
• Some of the challenges they are currently facing are changing of the climate, population growth, urbanization,and economic development.
• Priorities of the Uzbekistan's Ministry of Water in the water sector development:

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○

Digitalization process. They try to improve forecasting and accounting of water resources, the system of○Modernization development of water facility. A lot of investments are directed to improve the current

forming and ensuring transparency of database.
facilities. 70% of their budget goes for electricity consumption, so they wish to reduce the consumption ofelectricity through the modernization process.
○Ensuring the safety and reliable operation of water reservoirs and other water facilities.

○

Improvement of water resource management system. "Smart Water" technology○

Further expansion of the implementation of water-saving irrigation technologies in the cultivation ofagricultural crops. Plan to save 10 billion m3 of water annually.

○

Improving land reclamation and ensuring sustainability of irrigated lands, increasing land fertility, increasing
effective technologies to reduce the level and prevent soil salinization.

○

Implementation of market economy principles in the water sector.

○

Implementation of public-private partnership and outsourcing in water sector.

○

Implementation of integrated water resources management principles.

○

Development of interstate relations on the use of transboundary water resources that balance the interests ofCentral Asian countries.

○

Capacity building for personnel in water sector.

• Minister Azimzhon highlighted the issue on improving relationship with neighboring countries and cooperating
on transboundary water issue. The main goal is to share common water resources to make sure that water ispurpose for peace in Central Asia and economic source for people living in the country.
• For Uzbekistan and Central Asia, water, culture, and peace are very important.

Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UNECE• Ms. Algayerova showed how rivers such as Mekong and Amazon connect people through navigation and trade,bring drinking water, sustain our economies, and agriculture, and production. Therefore, cooperation on thisresource is key. However, not enough countries work in transboundary water cooperation.
• Ms. Algayerova shows how significant gap remains. There are not enough operational arrangements between
countries. We urgently need to accelerate progress on transboundary water cooperation if we want to achieve
SDG6. This requires knowledge gap on ground water, developing legal and institutional framework, enhancing
capacity, mobilizing political willingness to cooperate, and addressing finance.
• The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lake (Water
Convention) hosted by UNECE has improved transboundary water cooperation. It provides legal andintergovernmental platform in UN by promoting transboundary agreement, exchange on experience,developing common policy responses, and strengthening of capacity. It addresses key challenges suchas adaptation of climate change, DRR, water allocation in transboundary context, financing, developing
agreement, and such.

The Youth Team on Water and Heritages• The rise and fall of civilization is related to disasters, particularly in water area. There is positive correlation
between good DRR and more stable governance. Knowledge from history of disasters and experiences on
heritages will allow countries and people to better prepare for disaster in the future.
• The Youth Team established Water Heritages Project, a creation of databases which aims to focus water anddisasters. The team aims to provide a tool to analyze and compare water and culture for establishment ofpeace. They have completed 140 out of 574 water heritage sites. The water heritage sites are taken from
UNESCO's world heritage sites.

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• In the databases, they are looking whether the site is related with water through history or religion as well as
the disasters/hazards that impacted the heritage.
• The team introduced 8 heritage sites:○

Pont Du Gard in France○

Hiraizumi, Japan○

Mammoth Cave National Park, US○

Historic City of Ayutthaya, Thailand○

Singapore Botanic Garden, Singapore○

The Classical Garden of Suzhou, China○

Dutch Water Defence Lines, Netherlands○

The Subak System in Bali, Indonesia• Their plans in the future:○

Completion of database sheets in the world○

Development of database analysis system○

Creation of systematic comparison of human relations with water and disaster• Aiming to help better identify innovative model for human interaction with disaster.

Dr. Jerome Deli Priscolli, USA• Dr. Priscolli introduces about three North American cases.
○

Columbia River■

Negotiating creation and use of benefits versus fighting over allocation of flow (integration of hydro andflood storage benefits)

■

○

○

Recognizing of sharing the benefit and operated by technical agencies

International Joint Commission■

Primarily a conflict management for United States and Canada■

The organization develops its own independent culture

International Boundary Water Commission■

Began as an effort to reduce conflict between United States and Mexico■

Expected to provide neutrality and expertise• Transboundary resources can be seen as common pool resources. We should focus on optimizing water use vszero sum water allocation. Establishment should be conducted before conflict arises.

Dr. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto, Advisor for Minister of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia• Dr. Arie made a presentation about historical temporal and spatial water management which is considered as
Sundanese and Javanese local wisdom. For example, Subak is a democratic irrigation system in Bali.
• Dr. Arie shows an ancestral system which accurately divides time period depending on the position of the sun.
It shows dry period, transition wet-dry, wet period, and transition dry-wet.
• It is probable that there is correlation between ancestral naming of sky and modern name of sky configurations.
The method to measure the position of certain stars is also very simple by using bamboo filled with water (tocheck whether it is appropriate time to plant rice).
• However, there are new challenges now faced by farmers due to climate change. There is also different trend
on monsoon, ENSO, and DME due to global climate.
• There is new satellite that Indonesia uses to monitor ocean condition etc. It lengthened lead time and provide
higher accuracy on weather hint-casting and forecasting.
• Constructed irrigation schemes somehow disrupt their basic principles of living in harmony with natures129although the irrigation scheme might bring better crops result. New technology may significantly help farmers
to hinder them from failing cultivations, yet it should be harmonized with local wisdom.

Dr. Yumiko Yasuda, Senior network &Transboundary Water Cooperation Specialist• Dr. Yasuda shared photos about Kumamoto and how shrine was built so that people will not fight over water.
It shows how water cooperation can bring peace. Historical relationship, culture similarities, religion andemotion often play a key role on how water is shared among the country.
• Dr. Yasuda shares that it is very important to keep in mind that in transboundary water cooperation, in addition
to substance, we should focus on history and relationship with neighboring countries. For water diplomacy, it isimportant to recognize culture, religion, water attitudes, etc.
• In GWP, they are fostering multistakeholder regional dialogues. Regional dialogue is important particularly
in transboundary water issue. To make a starting point at regional level is vital. It also involves training andexchanges. It can take a very long time although the result may take a long time to appear. For example, it
influences the establishment of Drin basic cooperation.
• Dr. Yasuda emphasized that understanding each other and building trusts is important for transboundary water
cooperation. She also congratulates the launching of HELP Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, and After
Water-related Disasters.

Mr. Koos Wieriks, Chair of IGRAC• Mr. Wieriks presents the role of water in society. Water is the basic driver for development and cities flourish
due to water. Early civilizations built canals, drinking water distribution networks, and other technologies tomanage and control water. Some examples of water systems are Dujiangyan in China and Subak system inBali, Indonesia.
• The Ducth apply very down to earth and practical approach. They established waterboards, a simple
democratic system to manage the water. The system still exists as a fourth layer of government with their own
tax system. The money is dedicated for water treatment and safety.
• Netherlands applied the Delta program after flood in 1953. They felt safe, yet the 1993-1995 floods hit
Netherlands again. They applied different approach called "what if" and created a new concept of living withwater, room for the river. This is the 2nd Delta program.
• The 2nd Delta Plan is a prevention program, forward looking (100 years). They also established Special Delta
Law and 5 year Delta Program. They also have investment called Delta fund which cannot be touched forother purpose than water as well Delta commissioner (connecting all ministries)• Mr. Wieriks explain that they are better prepared now in Netherlands, but there is the lack of real risk
awareness of the inhabitants. Netherlands predict that in 2120, there will be sea level rise that will impact
their lives.
• Mr. Wieriks emphasize the importance of raising awareness. Education is an instrument such as through water
museum as well. Mr. Wieriks want to invite collaboration with the Youth Team in the session to see how to
combine the water museum and the heritages.

Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, Professor of GRIPS/HELP Coordinator• Prof. Hiroki distributed the Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, and After Water-related Disasters. The
session also commemorates the launching of the Principles.

130

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
Strategic action can take form of collaboration for early warning disaster system across governments and partners.
This will be made possible through knowledge and data sharing which can be a vehicle for cooperation. In
particular, data sharing is very important with regards to transboundary water sharing. Cooperation over scienceand technology can be a vehicle for cooperation and peace among countries.
It is important to harmonize ancestral knowledge and technology. For example, The Youth Team also shows
various examples of ancestral knowledge on water system such as Subak system, Hiraizumi, and Classical
Garden of Suzhou. This ancestral knowledge can provide a way to better identify innovative model for humaninteraction with disaster. Dr. Arie from Indonesia also shows how technology can better prepare their farmers
with regards to climate change in addition to ancestral knowledge on when to plant rice. Uzbekistan Minister
also shared how they plan to improve forecasting and accounting of water resources through digitalization as
well as establish "Smart Water" technology which aims to improve the water resource management system..

2) GovernanceFor our key strategic priority, we need to really ensure and promote the importance of cooperation acrossborder on transboundary water cooperation. In order to promote regional and transboundary cooperation, we
need to hold regional dialogues at different levels including multi-stakeholders in the discussion. For example,
Dr. Yasuda from GWP shows evidences how hosting regional dialogues can help to push for transboundarywater cooperation. In order to achieve transboundary cooperation in water, peace and culture aspect, weshould enhance mechanism for more regional cooperation and understand different stakeholders' perspective.
Uzbekistan minister also highlighted the issue on improving relationship with neighboring countries andcooperating on transboundary water issue to ensure peace in Central Asia. In that sense, water can be a purpose
for peace and economic source for people living in the country.
It is also important to raise awareness among leaders and update the national policy according to climate
prediction. Mr. Wieriks shows constant improvement of Netherland's policy on water through Delta program totackle flood in the country. The launching of Principles to Foster Peace Before, During, and After Water-related
Disasters is also a key to raise awareness of leaders that cooperation over water can bring peace, asr raisedby Dr. Han and Dr. Bamsey. Data presented by Dr. Priscolli also shows various cases on transboundary water
cooperation in North America which can serve as a model. Prof. Turk also gave example of transboundary water
cooperation as instrument of peace with Ukraine and Sahel as study cases.

3) FinanceThe key message of the session is the necessity of financial commitment from government and partner to reallycommit and ensure good practices from history, i.e. practices for water and security and across the bordercooperation. Some examples raised in the session are Uzbekistan's investment for modernization development ofwater facility and Netherland's commitment of Delta program.
One of the challenges of of existing financing mechanism is to address cooperation over shared water. Trust funds
often require government endorsement letters from all riparian countries before joint projects on transboundarywaters can be started, but there is often a need to facilitate the cooperation before countries can come together tosubmit a joint project. Therefore, there might be a need for facilitation through GWP or UNECE as shared by Dr.
Yasuda and Ms. Algayerova, respectively. Ms. Algayerova from UNECE also showed how the Convention on the131Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lake (Water Convention) provides legal andintergovernmental platform in UN by promoting transboundary agreement, exchange on experience, developing
common policy responses, and strengthening of capacity.

Showcase actions· Country implemented: Indonesia, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, United States· The Overview (please write shortly):
Indonesia showscases the attempt to harmonize ancestral knowledge and technology through Subak system
and local wisdom for farming. Netherlands provides an example of living with water through Delta program.
Uzbekistan shows efforts for transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia. United States show varioustransboundary water treaties made in North America.
· Referable URL:

From presentation of H.E. Mr. Nazarov Azimzhon, First Deputy Ministerof Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan

From presentation of Dr. Jerome Deli Priscolli, USA

132

Parallel Session 9 Sound Water Cycle including Groundwater
Session title
Maintaining or recovering a sound water cycle toward quality-oriented society

Key message from the session
In order to maintain or recover a sound water cycle including groundwater, it is important for various
stakeholders to share the goal of "maintaining or recovering a sound water cycle" and to coordinate individual
measures in each area related to the water cycle based on the knowledge obtained from science and technology.

Session overview
The available water resources are part of a continuous "water cycle", and maintaining "a sound water cycle" isextremely important for developing a "quality society" that is sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
It is important for various stakeholders to share the goal of "maintaining or recovering a sound water cycle" andto coordinate individual measures in each area related to the water cycle based on the knowledge obtained fromscience and technology, which is the basic goal of developing "quality infrastructure".
The session shares knowledge on governance, finance, science and technology to maintain or recover a soundwater cycle including groundwater, and makes recommendations for concrete actions toward quality-oriented
society that should be taken by countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the future.

Session agenda

1. Opening Remark
Prof. OGAWA Hisao, President of Kumamoto University

2. Session
Presentation
Dr. ISHIDA Kei, Associate Professor, Water Resource Research Laboratory, Center for Water Cycle, Marine
Environment, and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University
Dr. Neno Kukurić, Co-coordinator the UN-Task Force World Water Day 2022, IGRAC
Dr. Hans Dencker Thulstrup, Senior Programme Specialist for Water and Environmental Sciences, UNESCO
Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the PacificMs. MITSUHASHI Sayuri, Secretary General, Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water Cycle Policy, Cabinet
Secretariat, Japan
Mr. KATSUYA Kimio, Chief of Secretariat, Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation)
Ms. Megan McLeod, Program Director, Water Stewardship Asia Pacific

Q&A
Commentator

Prof. TAKARA Kaoru, Secretary General of Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water
Resources

Moderator

Prof. KAWAGOSHI Yasunori133

3. Wrap-up
Commentator

Prof. TAKARA Kaoru

Moderator

Prof. KAWAGOSHI Yasunori

4. Closing Remark
Mr. NAKAYAMA Norihiro, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)• To realize resilient and sustainable water management under a changing climate, it is important to develop a

reliable integrated water cycle model and to promote academia-industry-government collaboration.
• Keep fostering international cooperation: climate change and human impact on groundwater resources do notstop at administrative borders.
• As the pressure on groundwater increases, global information and knowledge sharing are crucial for tacklingserious pollution and depletion problems worldwide.
• In order to maintain or recover a sound water cycle, effective water cycle management at basin levels inwhich all stakeholders work together with the same vision and according to their respective roles is essential.
• It is important to set up objective indicators and maintain relevant data in order to properly identify thecurrent situation for evidence-based decision-making and planning.
• Small Hydroelectric Power contributes globally as a mitigation measure to mitigate climate change, and also

contributes locally to the sustainable development in rural areas.
It is effective to incentivize credible water stewardship to attract and mobilise private investment in water.

Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
In order for the related parties to work together to promote water cycle policies, it is necessary to accurately
understand the current situation and issues related to Water Cycle in the area centered on the target basin,
qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the results of the efforts, and use the evaluation to improve the efforts.
The scientific knowledge should be "disclosed", "shared", and "understood" with all related stakeholders, and theabove evaluations should be based on scientific evidence.
As for climate change, it is required not only to assess impacts and establish adaptation strategies, but also to
implement mitigation strategies and thereby achieve carbon "Net-Zero". Therefore, it is expected to developscience and technology related to the development of renewable energy that effectively utilizes water, such ashydropower, while maintaining and recovering a sound water cycle, including groundwater.

2) GovernanceIn order to promote multi-sectoral cooperation on water, it is necessary to establish legal systems at the national
and local levels and to promote the approach of basin management, in which relevant parties create plans andimplement measures with appropriate division of roles on a basin basis.
It is effective to promote the establishment of a platform where governments, private companies, local residents,
educational/research institutions and other relevant parties in each basin can share issues and goals related to thewater cycle, formulate plans to achieve the goals, and promote efforts based on the plans in each country.

134

In order to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the efforts, it is necessary to establish support
systems and develop human resources in cooperation with governments and educational/research institutions. In
addition, participations of local residents, businesses, and organizations are also important.

3) FinanceIn order to systematically secure and allocate funds, a plan that clarifies the goals related to the water cycle,
specific efforts to achieve the goals, and the schedule and division of roles on a basin should be prepared foreach basin led by a River Basin Oganization (RBO) or river administrator in the case of river basins, or a local
government or other public entity in the case of groundwater basins. Then, the budget necessary to implement
the plan should be secured with accountability to taxpayers.
The funds must be used effectively and efficiently with the agreement and cooperation of relevant parties, basedon an objective analysis of the status of the water cycle using science and technology. It is also desirable forgovernments to make efforts to secure public funding as the budget and to consider the establishment of asystem that utilizes funds of the private sector beneficiary pays principle.
It is also desirable for governments to make efforts to secure public funding as the budget and to consider theestablishment of a system that utilizes funds of the private sector beneficiary pays principle.

Showcase actions• Country implemented: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, East and Southeast Asia
• The Overview (please write shortly): These countries can showcase academia-industry-government

collaboration, international cooperation, global information and knowledge sharing, effective water cycle
management at basin levels, objective indicators, Small Hydroelectric Power, and water stewardship.
• Referable URL: https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/mizu_junkan/index.html,

https://kumamotogwf.or.jp/english.html, https://www.un-igrac.org/, https://waterstewardship.org.au/,
http://geftwap.org/, https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/2022/en

SessionParticipants

135Collection of Showcase and Roadmap
4th APWS/APWF Secretariat published the collection of showcase and Roadmap in the 4th APWS. This
document gathers case studies from Asia-Pacific countries. Countries and partner organizations of the 4th APWS
introduced projects and hard and soft infrastructure to contribute to quality growth in Asia and the Pacific, whichis replicable elsewhere in the region. Initiatives were described with graphics, tables, and figures. For eachaction, the country, a project title, and an overview of the project are provided, along with the major sources offinancing. For each project, the contribution to quality growth is analyzed in terms of sustainability, resilience,and inclusiveness. Countries and partner organizations also share the points to be proud of projects in termsof governance (participation from multi-stakeholders, transparency, openness, inclusiveness, etc.), investment(life cycle cost, operation & maintenance cost, debt sustainability, investment without business delay, etc.), andscience and technology.
The document also collects roadmaps from each organization. They include plans to promote quality growth.
The concerned organizations are involved in the nine parallel thematic sessions and other national/internationalorganizations. Each government and international organization voluntarily provided the case studies.
This document is the result of the collective effort of the participants in the 4th APWS. The organizations involvedin the nine parallel thematic sessions were asked to collect the cases during the preparation process of theparallel thematic sessions. In addition to the cases that will be introduced in the parallel thematic sessions, casesthat could not be introduced in the parallel thematic sessions are also included. Countries and internationalorganizations submitted case studies between December 2021 and March 2022.
The document is posted on the website of the 4th APWS.
https://www.waterforum.jp/pdf/other/4APWS_Showcases_Roadmaps.pdf

List of showcases
End-to-End Efforts for Shifting onto a Sustainable and Resilient Path under Climate Change by All
・ Japan/MLIT: National census on river nature environment, of over 30 years to contribute to climate change

adaptation
・Indonesia: Driven action together for water security and climate resilience

・

UN HABITAT: Enhancing the climate and disaster resilience of the most vulnerable rural and emerging urban
human settlements (Lao PDR)・UN HABITAT: Encouraging Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Investments through Private Sector Engagementin Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) and Small-scale Water Supply Infrastructure (LaoPDR)

・ADB: La Trinidad (Benguet) Flood Mitigation Project (Philippines)

・

GWP: Sponge city construction promotes high-quality urban development (PR China)

・

GWP: Local Community organization for small reservoir safety management (Vietnam)

・IWMI: Based Flood Insurance (India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka)

Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture for Asian Region
・Japan/JICA: Capacity Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Mizoram (India)

・ Japan/JICA: Participatory Irrigated Agriculture Development Project in Southern Areas along the Mekong (Lao
136

PDR)
・

Japan/JICA: Participatory Agriculture Development in Savannakhet Province (Lao PDR)

・

Japan/JICA: Promotion of Irrigated Agriculture in Terai Plain (Nepal)

・

FAO: Sri Lanka-Zambia Rice・

ADB: Ningxia Integrated Ecosystem and Agriculture Development Project (PR China)

・

GWP: National Strategy on Water Management and Development of Irrigation 2021- 2023 (Uzbekistan)Achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
・Japan/JICA: Sustainable Management of Water Utility through Services Improvement with Okinawa Water
Bureaus (Samoa)

・

UN HABITAT: Access to safely managed Sanitation and Behavior Change (Nepal)

・

ADB: Karanataka Model for Sustainable Urban Water Service Delivery (India)

・

ADB: Janiuay Community-Managed Water Supply System (Philippines)

Toward the realization of appropriate wastewater management to contribute to sustainable Development
・ Japan/ MLIT-MOE-JSC: Efforts for efficient wastewater treatment under a legal framework
・

GWP: Community Participation in Domestic Gray Water Treatment Using Con- structed Wetland (Indonesia)

Water and environment from source to sea: Multi-level governance for sustainable natural and social
environment
・Japan/MLIT: Lake Biwa Comprehensive Conservation Initiatives in Shiga, Japan・Japan/MLIT: Nature-oriented River Works・UN HABITAT: Waste Wise Cities: Tackling Plastic waste in Environment (India)

・

ADB: Wuhan Urban Environmental Improvement Project (PR China)

・

GWP: Innovative Policy for Water Conservation in Yangtze River Basin: River Chief System (PR China)

・

SIWI: Foundations for source-to-sea management: Vu Gia-Thu Bon case study (Vietnam)

Science and policy collaboration to advance on gender equality and reduce poverty related to watersector・ Australia: Water for Women Fund: Gender in WASH - Impact Assessment (Cambodia and Nepal)

GWP: Promoting Women Social Entrepreneurship through Water ATMs in low income communities for safe
water access (India)

Maintaining or recovering a sound water cycle to develop a quality society
・ Japan/MLIT: Multi-layered and tri-purpose river administration of water-related dis- aster prevention, proper

water utilization and environment conservation
・

Sri Lanka: Association between socioeconomic features and risk of flood damage: a local-scale case study

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Integration Sessions
Integration Session 1 Science & Technology
Session title
Integration Session: Science and Technology

Session overview
To transform into quality-oriented societies, the Kumamoto Declaration states "We call upon the science andtechnology community to provide context-specific innovations for resolving water problems, while respecting
the natural environment, geographical features, and historical backgrounds of the local community. Additionally,
we emphasize the importance of promoting education and capacity building for a new generation of water
professionals to ensure, maintain, and improve a sound water cycle".
The leaders of the participating countries in the 4th APWS asked the Summit participants to identify barriers,
breakthroughs, opportunities, and ways forward for reform and improvement. In particular, they requested thescience and technology community to explore what role science and technology should play in cross-sectoral
decision-making by leaders.
This session responded to questions and requirements from the leaders based on the discussions made by thenine theme sessions and the special session, "Showcase".

Session agenda
Date and Time: 14:00-16:30JST, Sunday 24, April

1. Opening:
Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, United Nations Educatioal,
Scientific and Clultural Organization (UNESCO) on-line

2. Key Notes:
1) Mr. Garvey McIntosh, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Asia Representative, U.S.
Embassy, Tokyo, in place of H.E. Mr. Rahm Emanuel, Ambassador, U.S.A
2) Dr. Michio Kawamiya, Director, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
3) Dr. Johannes Cullmann, Director, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on-line
4) Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director, UNESCO Cluster Office in Beijing on-line
5) Mr. Tomoo Inoue, Director General, Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

3. Panel Discussion:Moderator: Dr. Toshio Koike, ICHARM

4. Closing:
Mr. Takahiro Hayashi, Deputy Director-General, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan

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Key discussion points of each presenter and panelist
The session started with the opening speech by Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, the assistant director-general for
Natural Sciences of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), stating thatconnecting science and society and promoting open science, which offers people access to scientific knowledge,
will speed up the solution of problems.
Subsequently, five presentations were delivered as keynote speeches. The first one was by Mr. Garvey McIntosh,
the NASA Asia representative from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, in place of H.E. Mr. Rahm Emanuel, the U.S.
ambassador to Japan. He began his speech by showing the video message from the ambassador, who addressed
the challenges posed by climate change. Then, Mr. McIntosh emphasized the importance of cooperation insolving water problems. Dr. Michio Kawamiya, the director of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science andTechnology (JAMSTEC), followed and explained a climate change prediction model while expressing his hopes
to contribute to decision-making processes with scientific knowledge. Dr. Johannes Cullmann, the directorof the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), spoke about the significance of integrating science andtechnology and the Earth Observing System and providing services such as early flood or drought warning
information in order to effectively respond to climate change. Mr. Shahbaz Khan, the director of the UNESCO
Cluster Office in Beijing, pointed out that water security requires the abilities and knowledge of local individuals
and organizations and stressed that indigenous knowledge is valuable and should be integrated with scienceand technology to help solve issues. The last presentation was made by Mr. Tomoo Inoue, the director-general of
the Water and Disaster Management Bureau, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
He explained Japan's efforts from an administrative standpoint, including the revision of flood control plans tocope with climate change impacts and the introduction of more effective operations for existing dams. He alsomentioned the importance of science and technology-based decision-making and human resource development.
After all discussions, the session concluded that it is important to develop water-cycle consilience by accelerating
the open science policy with a special focus on observation, modeling, and data integration to foster "facilitators"
and build cooperation among various fields and sectors by taking an end-to-end approach.
The session ended with closing remarks by Mr. Takahiro Hayashi, the deputy director-general of the Research andDevelopment Bureau, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

Key messages
This session adopted the following three key messages as its conclusion:・Promote water cycle consilience by accelerating the Open Science policy, particularly focusing on
observation, modeling and data integration.

・

Foster "Facilitators", that is, catalytic beings who can lead the way toward resolving problems by providing
professional advice on site using a broad range of scientific and indigenous knowledge.

・Work together beyond disciplines and sectors among different levels while taking an end-to-end approach.

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140

Integration Session 2 GovernanceSession title
Advancing water governance for optimal stakeholder collaboration across sectors and generations to achieve awater secure Asia-Pacific region by 2030.

Session overview
Water management including water-related disaster risk management and governance of water services is achallenge that requires the involvement of various stakeholders at multiple levels, from public, private andNGO sectors at all stages of decision-making, policy-planning, and collective action. Water-related policies arecomplex, as they are strongly associated with vital spheres such as health, environment, agriculture, energy,
planning, regional development, and poverty eradication. Water governance emphasizes the need for crosssectoral and multi-level coordination and for a holistic framework to ensure that water is managed holistically.
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), enshrined in the SDGs, is not only a means to monitor
water governance at global, regional, country, and river basin scales but also a process which can provide theframework to advance water security.
The session explored the challenges faced in water governance referring to key water governance processes
including Asian Water Development Outlook 2020 and SDGs; integrated perspectives from the nine parallelthematic sessions; and deepened discussions for improving water governance in accordance with the four IWRM
dimensions - Enabling Environment, Institutions and Participation, Management Instruments, Financing - leading
to the formulation of recommendations to advance water governance for optimal stakeholder collaboration
across sectors and generations to achieve a water secure Asia-Pacific by 2030.
The session covered a wide range of topics to advance water governance: at the national and local level throughthe establishment of coherent laws, policies and plans that include climate change, environmental aspects andwater related disasters are key to achieving policy coherence: regional water organisations can support riparian
countries by enhancing technical knowledge, building communities and to exercise water diplomacy to reduce
conflicts at the transboundary level; transparent data and information sharing by all relevant stakeholders canrealise evidence based water management, policy and decision making; integrity and good governance ensurethat funds are used efficiently and sustainably; and multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches,
dialogues and peer-to-peer exchanges at all levels are critical to advancing water governance in the Asia-Pacificand achieving IWRM.

Session agenda
The session was held on Sunday, 24 April, 14:00-15:30 (Japan Time, UTC 5:00-6:30), with Face-to-face andonline (in a hybrid format).
Time

Activity

Introduction by MC of the session: Ms. Sayuri Mitsuhashi, Director-General, Water Resources Dept.,
MLIT, Japan.
10 min Opening Remark: Efforts in Japan for strengthening of water governanceSpeaker: Mr. Norihiro Nakayama, State Minister of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan
20 minKeynote speech and setting the scene: Advancing water governance through Integrated Water

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Resources Management as a cornerstone to achieving the water-related SDGs by 2030.

Speaker: Mr. Howard Bamsey, Chair of GWP
45 minPanel discussion: Call-for-actions to accelerate the achievement of water governance across all sectors
in reaching sustainable development.

Moderator: Dr. Yumiko Yasuda, Senior transboundary specialist, Global Water Partnership
Panelist:• Dr. Dinara Ziganshina, Director in Charge of Scientific-Information Center of the InterstateCommission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (SIC ICWC)• Ms. Bibi Zarina Che Omar. Deputy Director General, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) of
Malaysia.
• Dr. Amgad Elmahdi, Water Sector Lead- Green Climate Fund (GCF)• Mr. Fany Wedahuditama, Regional Coordinator, Global Water Partnership Southeast Asia
• Dr. Shinjiro Kanae, Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology• Prof Santosh Kumar, Head of Division, National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home
Affairs, Government of India
10 minSummary and Recommendations: High level and concrete actions for advancing Water Governance in
Asia-Pacific.

Presenter: Mr. Mark Pascoe, Chair of Governing Council of APWF
5 min

Closing Remark, Mr. Seiichi Onodera, Senior Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)Key discussion points of each presenter and panelist

Introduction and Opening Remarks
Sayuri Mitsuhashi, Director-General, Water Resources Department, MLIT,
introduced and moderated the session.
Norihiro Nakayama, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism, Japan touched on Efforts in Japan for strengthening water governance,
highlighting the importance of integrated river basin management with 61 local
government authorities putting in place river basin water cycle plans.

Keynote Speech
Howard Bamsey, Chair of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), keynote address
focused on the topic of advancing water governance through Integrated Water
Resources Management (IWRM) as a cornerstone to achieving the water related
SDGs by 2030 which now constitutes an urgent call to action for all relevant
stakeholders at all levels as the water crisis is a governance crisis and thus
addressing effective water governance should therefore be one of the highest
priorities in Asia and the Pacific. The keynote address emphasised the need to:reverse the lag for climate action in the region, to bring together marine and freshwater policy communities toaccelerate conservation of marine and coastal areas; and that good governance can unlock finance, with good
governance, being critical to achieving the water-related SDG targets. The keynote address further characterised
the water crisis as stemming from poor management which can only be resolved through strong governancethat takes a 'systems approach' and applies IWRM to improve governance. By having strong water governancedoors can open with countries and companies that have strong climate resilience plans are finding it easier to getfinance.
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Panel Discussion
Yumiko Yasuda, Senior Network and Transboundary Water Cooperation
Specialist, GWP, moderated the panel discussion.
Dinara Ziganshina, Acting Director, Scientific Information Center, InterstateCommission for Water Coordination in Central Asia, stated that regional agreements
provide the best venue for political and legal commitments, and that river basin
commissions can adopt routines that put such commitments into practice.
Bibi Zarina Che Omar, Deputy Director-General, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Malaysia, explainedthat under Malaysia's federated system, water resources come under province-level (state) governments andmanagement is guided by its 2012 national water resources policy, the 12th Malaysia Plan, and various statutory
instruments, citing IWRM as key to achieving coherence between water sectors.
Amgad Elmahdi, Water Sector Lead, Green Climate Fund, announced a new water security guide that willcommunicate the GCF's approach to water sector transformation through greenhouse gas reduction, andclimate adaptation through IWRM. The link between governance and finance was reiterated pointing out that
integrity and good governance in climate change projects is a cornerstone to successful projects use of funds
for designated purposes and enabling adaptation. In response, we are using our resources to drive a paradigm
shift based on a four-pronged/pillars approach: Transformational planning and programming; Catalysing climate
innovation; Mobilising finance at scale ; and Coalitions and knowledge to scale up success.
There is a building momentum to scale up global climate response. To translate this momentum into action
will require significantly greater investments, investments in a different set of inclusive assets that address
water security and provides sector-based or economy wide co-benefits to direct and indirect beneficiaries,e.g., job creation, health benefits, improved resilience. Therefore, there is a need for paradigm shift in the way
the water asset is defined, developed, and financed. It is increasingly important to treat water as an new asset
class, particularly as nations around the world (development countries) are set to experience an anticipated
40% shortfall in water by 2030 due to climate change, economic recovery and growth, population growth andresource competition. Investment in water could be one of the ways of tackling this deficit through treating water
as a new asset class. The creation of a new asset class through the development of a blended finance and an
effective 'take-it-to-market' approach would ensure: De-risk water security investments; Scale-up blended financeinto water security interventions; and Increase collaboration with financial partners.
Fany Wedahuditama, Regional Coordinator, GWP Southeast Asia, noted that institutions need to create
engagement mechanisms. He highlighted GWP Southeast Asia's Integrated Water Security Open Program, which
is mapping action on the ground to be able to present opportunities for connections among different actors.
Shinjiro Kanae, Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, stressed the importance of regular dialogue mechanism,
transparent data and information sharing, and for evidence-based, science-based water management. The needfor scientific evidence which aims for carbon neutrality was also emphasized.
Santosh Kumar, Head of Division, National Institute for Disaster Management, India, stressed the important roleof local government authorities and called for addressing gender discrimination, including through action tobring more women into public policymaking.

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Summary and Recommendations
Mark Pascoe, incoming APWF Governing Council Chair, presented a list of concrete actions arising from thediscussions and highlighted the need for presenting case studies and best practices. He proposed using social
media to quickly share "what works" and what does not. With only 8 years
left to achieve the SDGs, now is the time to take this path, with the need forgovernments to commit to policy decisions and water governance frameworks
that support the acceleration of actions towards resilient, inclusive, andsustainable societies in the Asia and the Pacific, with an emphasis on a green
recovery from COVID-19 and quality growth in addressing water-related issues.

Closing Remarks
In closing, Seiichi Onodera, JICA, thanked all participants and emphasizedthat no common framework exists for water governance, which should now be
developed, allowing for the specific characteristics of each country in the AsiaPacific.

Key messages
Overall, the session encouraged the many water-related institutions and civil society organizations to undertake
efficient and acceleration action and to collaborate across sectors and generations, including youth, women andvulnerable groups and improve coherency of policy-regulatory, institutional arrangement and financial frameworkacross sectors at basin, national and transboundary levels, by incorporating the Sendai Framework, good
governance, IWRM and source-to-sea principles as a pathway towards achieving the water related SDGs and awater secure Asia-Pacific region by 2030. The session concluded that building on from the Yangon Declaration,transformation in water governance towards a resilient, sustainable and inclusive society in the Asia-Pacific isneeded now, as a business-as-usual approach will not get us there.
The outcome of the session was the formulation of eight high-level recommendations and nineteen concrete
actions for advancing water governance in Asia and the Pacific which drew from the nine parallel thematic
sessions. The high-level recommendations apply at all governance levels (regional, transboundary, national,
basin, aquifer); across all geographical scales from source-to-sea (mountains through to our coast and small
islands), across all water sectors (environment, disaster, peace, WASH, water for economy and development); andinclusive of all people:
1. Increase policy coherence, develop, or accelerate the passing and full implementation of critical laws,
regulations, policies, and standards across water-related sectors at the regional, transboundary, and national
levels, taking into account source-to-sea and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, torestore a sound water cycle and achieve SDGs.
2. Strengthen regional legal frameworks, transboundary information sharing; hold inclusive regional dialogues;
and upgrade existing transboundary water management arrangements between state authorities, where they
are lacking, to enhance transboundary cooperation.
3. Establish coherent, inclusive (special attention to youth, women, vulnerable and marginalized groups) andgender-transformative institutional arrangements and coordination across all water sectors and jurisdictions;and ensure capacity development of all water actors.
144

4. Ensure that investment and management of water related infrastructure and technologies are designed to be
multi-purpose based on the appropriate science and technologies, environmentally friendly and inclusive of
all stakeholders (Quality Infrastructure led by Japan).
5. Address capacity and data gaps by consolidating data and promoting robust, transparent, inter-operable
platforms and mechanisms for data capture, and information sharing, involving multi-stakeholders at all levels
to participate in evidence-based planning, decision-making and monitoring process; and develop mechanism
to map actors who are contributing to water security, including SDGs, APWS declaration and to enable actionalignment on the ground. (Integrated Water Security Open Program to be piloted in Southeast Asia).
6. Develop and promote the use of instruments which are accessible to all stakeholders that can help to identify
water risks which describe the hydro-meteorological and geographical features of regions in Asia-Pacificwhich are strongly impacted by climate change and use them for water management decision making toadvance Asian water governance.
7. Encourage cost sharing and pooled resources to support Water Security actions at all levels through regional
collaboration, intergenerational and inclusive for all.
8. Mainstream integrity and transparency practices across water organizations including water utilities to unlock
access to funding through innovative financial frameworks that are supportive of multiple funding sourcesfrom different sectors and levels, being channeled towards the common good for efficient and effective
implementation.

145

Integration Session 3 FinanceSession title
Integration Session on FinanceMaximizing Investment and Financing for Water Security in the Post COVID-19

Session overview
Water is essential for sustaining human life, human security, the environment, and the economy and is at thecore of sustainable development. However, progress on internationally agreed goals and targets such as SDG6,
SDG13, and the Sendai framework has been lagging even before the outbreak of the COVID-19.
Lack of funds is a key cause of the delay. According to the World Bank, it is estimated that achieving SDG 6.1(universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water) and SDG 6.2 (adequate and equitable
access to sewage and sanitation facilities) will require US$114 billion per year. There is also a significant
investment gap in sustainable water resources management, which cannot even be estimated. Regarding disasterrisk reduction (DRR), only about 4% of humanitarian assistance is used for the implementation of proactive DRR
measures, while most of the budgets are used to react to events.
This session explored how we could maximize investment to address water security and disaster risk reductionin i) government sectors, ii) private sector. It also discussed how to efficiently combine i) and ii) by integrating
the inputs from thematic sessions and good practices in water resource management and services delivery anddisaster risk reduction and management in the Asia Pacific region.

Session agenda
Moderator: Akihiro Shimasaki, Director for International Coordination of River Engineering, Water and Disaster
Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT), Japan

1. Introduction by Moderator
2. Keynote speeches
・ Ms. Neeta Pokhrel, ADB chief of the water sector group
・ Prof. Kimio TAKEYA, Distinguished Technical Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan International

Cooperation Agency (JICA) / Visiting Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, IRIDeS
Tohoku University

3. High-Level Statement
・ Hon. Roger G. Mercado, Acting Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippines

4. Panel Discussions
4.1 Summary of inputs of thematic sessions: Moderator
4.2 Presentations by panelists: 5-7 min each・ Ms. Patricia Lopez, Senior Water Specialist, World Bank・ Dr. Xavier Leflaive, Principal Administrator, Resilience, Adaptation and Water team, Environment

Directorate, OECD
・ Mr. Christopher A. Ilagan, Steering Committee member of Global Water Partnership/ Chair, GWP

Philippines1464.3 Discussion and Q&A

5. Summary of the session and closing remark
・ Prof. Kimio TAKEYA, Distinguished Technical Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction,

Japan International

Cooperation Agency (JICA) / Visiting Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, IRIDeS
Tohoku University

Key discussion points of each presenter and panelist
Neeta Pokhrel, Chief, Water Sector Group, ADB, outlined approaches to mobilizing finance including: making

effective and efficient use of available resources; mobilizing local resources through taxes and tariff reforms; andusing innovative financing to blend public and private finance.
Takeya Kimio, DRR Advisor, JICA, urged addressing water related DRR as a development issue, stating pre-disaster prevention investment is essential as it can lead to less economic loss which simultaneously can reduce
mortality inclusively align to SDGs. EW can reduce mortality but still remain as a humanitarian issue because it
can not reduce economic loss and protect the fundamental condition of society.
Roger G. Mercado, Acting Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, the PHILIPPINES, provided

an overview of disasters, saying the Government of the Philippines is working to mitigate them. He outlined
infrastructure projects that have been initiated in this regard.
Akihiro Shimasaki, Director for International Coordination of River Engineering, Water and Disaster
Management Bureau, MLIT, summarized the inputs to the session saying it integrates the nine thematic sessions.
Patricia Lopez, Senior Infrastructure Finance Specialist, World Bank, noted most developing countries' watersectors have been financed through concessionary finance, as accessing finance from the private sector isdifficult due to low-cost recovery. She encouraged enabling environments conducive to accessing private sector
financing.
Xavier Leflaive, Principal Administrator (Water), OECD, outlined four pillars for financing in the water sector:

make the best use of available assets and financial resources; avoid building future liabilities; improve tools toplan and decide on investments and financing mechanisms; and harness additional sources of finance by setting
up the appropriate enabling environment.
Christopher Ilagan, Steering Committee member of GWP/ Chair, GWP Philippines , said public finance has arole in achieving water security but is often insufficient, especially during this time of high public sector debt.
Private sector financing should play a role to bridge this gap and tapping into this finance source should include (1)public-private partnerships in infrastructure, (2) riding the ESG wave and (3) shifting the water security narrativefrom a largely climate change adaptation play to one that incorporates the mitigation lens as well. Finally, IWRM
remains a core approach in maximizing investment and finance for water security by ensuring an inclusive,
coordinated and equitable development and management of scarce water resources..
During closing remarks, Takeya Kimio emphasized the role of political leadership for sufficient progress to be
made.

147

Key messages

Recommendations for Maximizing Investment and Financing for Water Security in the Post COVID-19
The nine (9) thematic sessions identified the following challenges which may increase investment needs or hinder
the promotion of investment in the water sector:(i)Increasing climate change impacts;(ii) Lack of comprehensive assessments considering physical risks and regional needs and characteristics interms of the environment, economy, society, culture, and history;(iii) Weak positioning in policy;(iv) Lack of awareness of leaders, politicians, stakeholders, and citizens;(v) Capacity to effectively manage funds, and maintain the financial integrity in implementing bodies. etc.
Through the integration session, the recommendations for maximizing investment in the water sector from 9thematic sessions are summarized as follows:(i)

Promote more investment for water sectors, especially to urgently tackle climate change impacts(ii) Recognize that ex-ante water-related disaster risk reduction investment is a basis to achieve SDGs andnational development in Asia Pacific Region, and each state needs to urgently plan and implement inclusive
DRR investment to full fill the primary responsibility(iii) Implement measures combining multiple technologies for different purposes such as early warning andforecasting systems, spatial planning, and water-related disaster risk reduction(iv) Recognize risks or needs with scientific evidence, e.g. physical risks attributed to climate change have beenrecognized by Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and stated in the International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)(v) Utilize mechanisms for increasing public-private partnerships (PPP) in the water sector(vi) Focus on sound management of water utilities(vii) Build strong financial integrity and fiduciary measures(viii) Develop a medium- and long-term plan that integrates policy goals and finances(ix) Use funds effectively and efficiently with the agreement and cooperation of stakeholders, based on an
objective analysis of the status of the water cycle, and using science and technology, e.g. "Winter Paddy
Field Inundation Project" of Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation (KGF)(x) Develop data platforms to promote (synthesis analysis for) evidence-based policymaking to monitor progresson specific issues such as gender, environment, youth involvement, etc.

Proposed Actions
The integration session on finance proposed the following immediate actions to enable the above
recommendations.

(1) Make the water sector, including water-related disasters, a priority issue for each country andsubstantially increase the allocation of funds
・ The shift from ex-post response to ex-ante measures
・ The best mix of structural and non-structural measures, considering the effects of blue-green infrastructure thatutilizes natural functions in addition to structural measures.
・ Infrastructure that prevents water threats, stores, conserves, distributes, and returns water to nature
・ Recommend other development sectors to take into account water sector goals and targets in theirimplementation of plans
・ Consideration of new financing mechanisms, such as the introduction of private financing
148

(2) Data collection and system development for medium- and long-term planning・ Collection and accumulation of accurate data necessary for planning・ Collection and accumulation of disaster data to enable to evaluate of the effects of measures
・ Evaluation of the status of achievement of SDGs and other goals in each field(3) System development and human resources development for efficient use of funds
・ Ensure integrity and develop human resources in public institutions, etc.
・ Provide incentives for the participation of diverse actors by institutional reforms such as legal amendments andestablishment of budgetary systems, if necessary
・ Investment in education and capacity building of people to enable community-based disaster reduction

activities.

(4) Secure funding for science and technology and knowledge information systems to promote innovation(5) International academic organizations, United Nations/international organizations, international aid
agencies, etc., support the activities in (1) to (4).

High-Level Statement by Hon. Roger G. Mercado, Acting Secretaryof Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippines

Panel Discussions
149

Overall Integration Session
Session title
Overall Integration Session-Building Post-Corona World Back Better through Water- Actions and Commitments from Kumamoto to the World-

Session overview
The Integration Session 4 were held to integrate messages and advice of the three previous integration sessionsof (i) governance, (ii) finance, and (iii) science and technology in order to produce a clear-cut answer to theinquiry posed by Heads of State and Government in the Kumamoto Declaration. Special attention was given in
the discussion and outcome to synchronize the outcome of Kumamoto Summit with previous and succeeding
preparatory process such as Bonn Conference, the 9th World Water Forum, and 2022 Dushanbe Process todeliver common messages to the UN 2023 Midterm Review Conference. As the 4th Asia Pacific Water Summit(APWS) is one of the key preparatory processes towards the UN 2023 Midterm Review Conference, this process
is to accelerate actions by all towards achieving internationally agreed targets on water through collaboration,
partnership, enabling environment, youth and others.
The transformative role water should play towards full achievement of SDGs and building resilient, sustainable
and inclusive post-corona society will be discussed. Concrete ways for improving governance, finance andapplying science and technology in integrated manners at local, national and global levels as presented in all of
the nine thematic sessions towards the end were the core subject of the discussion and outcome of the Session.
The outcome of the Session was a part of Kumamoto Declaration as the holistic outcome of all nine thematic andthree integration sessions.

Session agenda

1. Opening remarks by Co-Chairs:• H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of HELP, Former Prime Minister of Korea• H.E. Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, MP, House of Representatives, and Former Minister of Justice, Japan / Chair, Japan
Parliamentary League for Water Policy Reform

2. Keynote speakers:• H.E. Mr. Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan• H.E. Dr. Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Republic of Indonesia (to be readby Dr. Ir. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto, MSc., Senior Engineering Expert, Technical Implementation Unit for
Hydraulics and Water Geotechnics, DG of Water Resources)• H.E. Dr. Christiane Rohleder, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany (Video Message)• H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for Ocean (Video Message)150

3. High-level Panel Discussion: "The transformative role water should play towards full achievement ofSDGs and building resilient, sustainable and inclusive post-corona society"High-level Panelists:• Professor Toshio Koike, Executive Director of ICHARM, representing Integration Session 1 (Science andTechnology)• Mr. Howard Bamsey, Chair of Global Water Partnership, representing Integration Session 2 (Governance)• Ms. Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, representing Integration Session
3 (Finance)• Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, CEO, Sanitation and Water for All• Mr. Henk Ovink, Special Water Envoy, the Netherlands and Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, Chairman, Executive
Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS)
Moderator:• Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, HELP Coordinator / Professor, GRIPS

4. Closing• Co-Chairs

Key discussion points of each presenter and panelist

Opening Remarks
H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of HELP, Former Prime Minister of Korea• Dr. Han discussed about how water is life yet can be a threat to life. We have seen a lot of damaging impact
due to water-related disasters. Covid-19 has also greatly affected countries all over the world and disrupted
efforts to achieve the 2030 agenda.
• If we don't learn lessons from the current pandemic, the next pandemic can hit us harder. Thus, in-post corona
society should be more resilient, sustainable, inclusive. We need to place water in the center of global agenda.
• Dr. Han discussed about the sessions preceding the Integration Session 4. He elaborated the need for
integrating previous sessions in this session, address how to improve water sectors in the area of governance,
finance, and science and technology, and connect the outcome of session and actions with other key processes
to the follow up of Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement.
• This summit is one of the key processes towards UN2023 conference. Dr. Han invited the representatives ofthree key areas of governance, finance, and science and technology to share the messages and commitment
made in the sessions.

H.E. Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, MP, House of Representatives, and Former Minister of Justice, Japan / Chair,Japan Parliamentary League for Water Policy Reform• Ms. Kamikawa shared about her view on the alarming pace of environmental degradation due to climatechange. We need a paradigm shift. Quality growth as presented in the Kumamoto Declaration as a path should
be followed. The water sector should be a vanguard in this new path. We should fundamentally change theway we think and act.
• Ms. Kamikawa encouraged to discuss and determine what our desirable future is and then establish a scenario
of action in which we can achieve the future we want. Example: SDG.
• Ms. Kamikawa suggested improvement should consider the level of nation's development stage. Leap frogging
should be encouraged. Green infrastructure is essential for water sector including forest and forest resource
system.
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• Ms. Kamikawa shared an indigenous technology in Japan, cylindrical water distribution system, which help
different communities to live in harmony.
• The role of ice can also be emphasized. Glacier can work as health barometer for global water cycle throughobservation.
• Ms. Kamikawa also notes that regional elements of water governance is important, specifically monsoon andislands need to be considered. Comprehensive water risk management is the key. The Government of Japan justrecently developed new concept of river basin disaster resilience and sustainability by all.
• Regarding finance, ways to increase total investment in water should also be addressed. Private financing andpartnership are keys. Investment in preparedness including stockpiling will be effective.
• For science and technology, we need to invest in nurturing facilitators or experts who can turn scientific finding
into practical action for social transformation.

Keynote Speech
H.E. Mr. Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan• Mr. Juma expressed that Tajikistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and tacklingclimate change is one of the highest priorities of their government, particularly related to managing andpreserving freshwater resources which is critical for the future of their country and survival of other countries inCentral Asia.
• The president of Tajikistan also emphasized on cooperation between countries to better manage water
resources. The president also delivered a message which he has previously delivered in the first APWS, claimingthat the cost of water can be the most expensive compared to oil etc.
• Scientific data also shows that water availability is decreasing yoy. Mr. Juma provides data about how water in
Asia depletes significantly compared to in 1960s. Other regions also experience similar thing. Therefore, weneed urgent action, such as through Tajikistan's initiative of Decade of Water for Sustainable Development.
Therefore, the 2023's Water Conference which is hosted by Netherlands and Tajikistan are designed to beaction oriented.
• The 4th APWS is important as it focuses on best practices and the next generation. Concrete ways for improving
governance, finance, and science and technology were discussed in thematic sessions. The outcome of thesummit will also be integrated into the discussion of the 2nd Dushanbe Water Decade Conference which will
be hosted in Tajikistan in early June this year. The 2nd Dushanbe Conference will bridge the 4th APWS, the 9th
World Water Forum, the Bonn Dialogue with the UN 2023 Water Conference.
• Tajikistan expresses their commitment to promoting water issues in global development agenda. As theirenergy is generated through hydro source and access to water is critical, Tajikistan will continue working with
Netherlands, UN, and around the world to achieve their goals and matters adopted in the Summit.

H.E. Dr. Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Republic of Indonesia (to be readby Dr. Ir. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto, MSc., Senior Engineering Expert, Technical Implementation Unit for
Hydraulics and Water Geotechnics, Director General of Water Resources)• Dr. Arie expressed three common water problems faced in Indonesia: too much, too little, and too dirty. This
problem intertwines with climate change and socio-economic issues.
• Dr. Arie congratulated the international flood initiative and ICHARM for developing e-learning system forcapacity development. The e-learning is very beneficial as it fosters facilitators who will lead formulationand implementation of policies, sustainability, and resilience of water-related disaster. This kind of scientificplatform and e-training is very vital as it discusses today's water issues and prepare for future challenges.
• The Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Indonesia is currently improving their disaster mitigation system

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and flood warning system. This includes application for technology of rainfall and water level prediction for
preparation of adequate system and infrastructure to mitigate disaster.
• The Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Indonesia is working to optimize their dam operation and modify
it to enable early water release to secure room for storing and absorbing big discharge. They also revitalize theirlake and reservoir and preserve the catchment area.
• The Ministry also continues to construct and rehabilitation irrigation networks and selected swamp irrigation
networks.
• The Ministry also prepared the first source to tap investment scheme. The approach will integrate the central
government and local government in a public-private partnership package.
• Dr. Arie expressed his wish to work together and build back better in the world post-Covid 19. He also
expresses appreciation to the Government of Japan's policy called river basin disaster resilience andsustainability by all. Indonesia will study more detail about the policy.
• Dr. Arie also expressed his support to Kumamoto Declaration and how it will have positive impact on water
resources management including in Indonesia.

H.E. Dr. Christiane Rohleder, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany• Dr. Rohleder expressed how Japan and Germany share the same view of how water plays a transformative rolein achieving all goals and requirements of 2023 agenda and other global agendas. Dr. Rohleder emphasizedthat we need to work together beyond the water sector. Close sectoral approach and actions continue to be
relevant. SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework launched by UN Water show the accelerators by government,
financing, innovation, data and information, and capacity building. This goes hand in hand with discussions on
improving governance, financing, and applying science and technology to accelerate implementation.
• Germany held Bonn Conference and the key messages and recommendation are cross-sectoral and modelled
after SDG6 Global Acceleration Framework. To date, 63 countries have expressed their support for themessages.
• Germany was happy to create synergy with the preparatory processes leading to UN2023, including withJapan's 4th APWS. We should find joint solution to speed up process. Cross-sectoral transboundary water
resource is deeply linked to peace and security. Sustainably managing our water resources is very important for
mitigating climate change and adapting to it and key for DRR.
• Nature based solution is growing more important for resilience of the water resources and preservation forecosystem. Dr. Rohleder calls for restoring and protecting natural ecosystem as foundation to the future.
• Dr. Rohleder shares that they particularly support Bonn Water Dialogue's recommendation to appoint UN
Special Envoy on Water. The recommendation is all the more important as we need to give water voice andensure the availability of the source.

H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for Ocean• Mr. Thomson discussed about the significance of hydrological cycle, particularly in island setting. However,pollution poses great threat to ocean health and human health. Mr. Thomson emphasizes that the freshwatercommunity and the saltwater community are connected through hydrological cycle and therefore there is aneed to harmonize our efforts.
• Mr. Thomson recommended source to sea management as a holistic approach which recognize environmental,
economic, and social linkages between land, freshwater, culture, and ecosystem. It brings together private,community organization, and other to building resilient society.
• Mr. Thomson commended the APWS for adoption of source to sea efforts. This integrated management

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approach will be vital for achievement of SDG. Cross-sectoral between upstream and downstream with theassistance of science and technology and financial support is very important.
• Mr. Thomson recommended the Action Platform for Source to Sea Management as a great resource for learningand connecting others. Mr. Thomson encourages everyone to join the Action Platform.

High-Level Panel Discussion
Professor Toshio Koike, Executive Director of ICHARM, representing Integration Session 1• Integration Session 1 discussed how science and technology can contribute to Kumamoto declaration. They
concluded that we need to promote observation integration, model integration, data integration & analysis. To
make maximum use of scientific knowledge, we need to build capacity especially for incorporating scientificknowledge at local site.
• This knowledge and capacity can support evidence-based decision making to support activities related to
SDG. Then, we can promote cross-SDGs coordination as water is the key. Then, we can build water cycle
consilience. This kind of activity can be supported by UNESCO's Open Science. Then, we can contribute togovernance and finance which will result in quality-oriented society.
• In conclusion:○

We need to promote water cycle consilience by accelerating Open Science policy.

○

We need to foster facilitators who can lead the way toward resolving problem by providing professional
advice on site applying scientific and indigenous knowledge.

○

Work together beyond disciplines and sectors among difference level taking end-to-end approach.

Mr. Howard Bamsey, Chair of Global Water Partnership, representing Integration Session 2 (Governance)• Mr. Bamsey discussed about coherence as part the recommendation from integrated governance session. Itmeans ensuring that the government's structure is coherent and integrated.
• Another key message from the recommendation is multi-stakeholder. It makes sure that everybody and every
institution/organization that has a real stake on the outcome of decision making about water has a role in thedecision making.
• The third key message is inclusion. It's not limited to process including the stakeholder, but the decision making
has to take into account all the stakeholders particularly women and young people who have the greatest stakeat the outcome of the decision making.
• Another key point which reflects the key concern of the experts is climate change.
○

Climate change and the respond to it has real influence on what is happening within the water governancestructure. The new paradigm is needed in the context of carbon neutrality. We can see that water is vital in all
stages of energy transition.

○

Climate change increases the urgency to build resilience as it changes water availability, frequency, andtiming.

• Water disaster is increasing in frequency and amplitude. Mr. Bamsey calls for quick and urgent response.
• It is important to build governance structure and institution with capacity to evolve under the changes that we
can see coming. Strong water governance enhances the prospect for finance. Findings show that countries andcompanies with strong resilience plan and build resilience for respond, they find it easier to get financed andthe cost of capital is lower.
• Another way to think about IWRM is integrated multisector governance. The multisector characteristic is vital.
We need transparency and clarity on different roles of stakeholder to enable different stakeholder to takeownership of their responsibility.

154• Mr. Bamsey echoes Mr. Thomson's sentiment about the relation between freshwater and saltwater. Mr. Bamsey
recognized that the source to sea concept is vital.

Ms. Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, representing Integration
Session 3 (Finance)• Ms. Pokhrel discussed about the role of various actors and emphasized that the governance must lead andcreate the right governance and enabling environment to bring finance. We need to mobilize ISP for financeand make it available. Actors on the ground are those who need finance most. Making it available to local levelis vital. We should include multiple stakeholders, especially the vulnerable. We should also have gender andyouth involvement.
• Ms. Pokhrel discussed about how bringing data and science on the forefront to help government is a planning
tool. We should also involve citizens in planning, sharing, responsibility and cost.
• Financing should be for low-carbon and resilience.
• Integration Session 3 recommends investment which is faster, more readily, and urgently to tackle climatechange impact. It is also important to make it more available for local level actors.
• Implementing measures should combine technologies like early warning system, flood forecasting, andproactive water-related disaster prevention investment.
• Ms. Pokhrel emphasized utilizing and bringing new approach to increase public-private partnership in watersector. We should have enabling environment and review what has gone right/wrong. We should also focus on
making the most of available resources and asset.
• Building strong financial integrity. Developing medium and long-term plans that integrate policy goals andfinance. Ms. Pokhrel emphasize the importance of making the data available to local level. For example, inJapan, each mayor makes commitment to DRR.

Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, CEO, Sanitation and Water for All• Ms. Albuquerque discussed about possible positive outcomes that would have happened if everybody had
access to sanitation. Sanitation and water for all goes beyond the immediate impact of better health. This caneliminate poverty and hunger, achieve equality, and tackle climate change.
• Ms. Albuquerque discussed about how education and opportunity which would be denied if we don't deliver
the basic human rights of access towards water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Ms. Albuquerque calls for political will. Experience shows that generating greater political will improved
governance and efficiency, leading to greater financial flow. Having a legal and regulatory framework andinstitutional set up with clear role and defined responsibility through policies and strategies with universal
access, monitoring, and accountability is vital.
• Ms. Albuquerque calls for leadership with characteristics of cooperation, coherence, and courage.
• SWA for partnership is determined to try a better path forward. The sector ministerial meeting in Jakarta (April
2022) gathered over 80 ministers will be an opportunity to scale up efforts on sanitation and water.

Mr. Henk Ovink, Special Water Envoy, the Netherlands and Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, Chairman, Executive
Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS)• Mr. Ovink introduced about UN 2023 Water Conference. The UN2023 Water Conference aims to be thewatershed moment to unite the world.
• Mr. Rahimzoda discussed about the processes leading towards the UN2023 Water Conference from 2016 to
2020. Tajikistan and Netherlands are co-hosts for the conference.
• Three principles for the UN2023 Water Conference:

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○

Inclusive○

Action-oriented○

Cross-sectoral• The vision statement of UN2023 Water Conference is to think beyond the 2023. Mr. Rahimzoda calls formaking effective use of the opportunities presented by the conference.
• The conference will:○

Deliver summary of the conference proceedings○

Present a set of voluntary commitments in a Global Water Pact■

Global Water Pact is a combined commitment. This will be a commitment to scale and replicate and use
water as driving force for delivery of 2030 agenda.

○

Provide roadmap towards 2028 (Decade) and 2030 (SDG)

Key messages

Governance• Regional elements of water governance is important, specifically monsoon and islands need to be considered.
Comprehensive water risk management is the key.
• Coherence, multi-stakeholder, and inclusion, response to climate change are the key messages.
• It is important to build governance structure and institution with capacity to evolve under the changes that we
can see coming. Strong water governance enhances the prospect for finance. Findings show that countries andcompanies with strong resilience plan and build resilience for respond, they find it easier to get financed andthe cost of capital is lower.
• Another way to think about IWRM is integrated multisector governance. The multisector characteristic is vital.
We need transparency and clarity on different roles of stakeholder to enable different stakeholder to takeownership of their responsibility.
• We need greater political will. Experience shows that generating greater political will improved governanceand efficiency, leading to greater financial flow. Having a legal and regulatory framework and institutional set
up with clear role and defined responsibility through policies and strategies with universal access, monitoring,
and accountability is vital.

Science and technology• For science and technology, we need to invest in nurturing facilitators or experts who can turn scientific finding
into practical action for social transformation.
• We need to promote observation integration, model integration, data integration & analysis. To make maximum
use of scientific knowledge, we need to build capacity especially for incorporating scientific knowledge at
local site.
• This knowledge and capacity can support evidence-based decision making to support activities related to
SDG. Then, we can promote cross-SDGs coordination as water is the key. Then, we can build water cycle
consilience. This kind of activity can be supported by UNESCO's Open Science. Then, we can contribute togovernance and finance which will result in quality-oriented society.
• We need to promote water cycle consilience by accelerating Open Science policy.
• We need to foster facilitators who can lead the way toward resolving problem by providing professional advice
on site applying scientific and indigenous knowledge.
• Work together beyond disciplines and sectors among difference level taking end-to-end approach.

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Finance• Regarding finance, ways to increase total investment in water should also be addressed. Private financing andpartnership are keys. Investment in preparedness including stockpiling will be effective.
• Investment should be faster, more readily, and urgently to tackle climate change impact. Financing should beavailable at local level. The governance must lead and create the right governance and enabling environment
to bring finance.
• In the planning part, we should bring data and science on the forefront to help government. We should
also involve citizens in planning, sharing, responsibility and cost. We should include multiple stakeholders,
especially the vulnerable. We should also have gender and youth involvement.
• We should have enabling environment and review what has gone right/wrong. We should also focus on making
the most of available resources and asset.

From the presentation of Prof. Toshio Koike (Science & Technology)

From the presentation of Mr. Howard Bamsey (Governance)

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Special Sessions
Showcase
Session title
Showcase

Session overview
Water is essential for human life and wellbeing. It provides a bridge between atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial
natural sciences and socio-economic benefit areas including agriculture, forestry, health, energy, economy andhuman settlement. Water-related issues are critical in Asia and the Pacific. Flood and drought prediction andwarning systems are urgently needed. Water discovery and water resource development are essential for survival.
Good water quality is indispensable for human health. Climate change is now a fundamental threat to this region.
The Covid-19 pandemic broke out and has been threatening humanity beyond boundaries in space and time.
On-site stakeholders should develop integrated scenarios and execute concrete measures by sharing theunderstanding of water-related benefits and risks through cross-sectoral dialogue with the science and technology
community; and making maximum use of global monitoring and prediction information as a public good in
traditional and indigenous knowledge. It is also important to foster the human resources that can act as catalytic
beings addition to capable of moderating meetings, leadind the way toward resolving problems, and providing
professional advice on-site. Tripartite cooperation among science, policy and operation is essential at different
spatial scales and in thematic and functional terms.
This special session shared four cases ranging from local to national levels as lessons learnt.

Session agenda
Date and Time: 17:30-19:00 JST, Saturday, 23 April

1. Introductory Video
2. Opening:
H.E. Mr. Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

3. Presentation:
1) Eng. K.D.N. Siriwardana, Director General of Irrigation, Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka on-line
2) H.E. Dr. Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia3) Dr. Anthony C. Sales, Director, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI, Philippines
4) Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, Mayer, Kumamoto, Japan

4. Panel Discussion
1) Dr. Han Seung-Soo, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea and Chair of the High-level Experts andLeaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP) video
2) Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Member of the House of Representatives, Former Minister of Justice, Japan3) Ms. Maria Angelica Sotomayor, incoming Practice Manager, East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank on-line
4) Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira, Vice-Chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) for the Sixth Assessment Report, Professor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on-line
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Moderator:

Dr. Toshio Koike, Executive Director, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM)

5. Closing:
Mr. Tomoo Inoue, Director General, Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

Key discussion points of each presenter and panelist
The introductory video overviewed the impacts of water-related disasters and COVID-19 and stated that thisspecial session would share cases in line with the context of the Declaration, ranging from local to national
levels, as lessons learned and discuss the next steps.
Mr. Tetsuo Saito, the minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), delivered an opening address,
saying that Japan would contribute to solving water-related problems solving and achieving transformation into
quality-oriented societies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The four showcases presented by the four countries commonly highlighted the importance of "multi-sectoral andmulti-layer activities", "knowledge integration", "facilitator training", and "inclusiveness".
Eng. K.D.N. Siriwardana, the director general of Irrigation of the Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka, started his
presentation by talking about their ancient irrigation system, which is more than 3000 years old and yet is still inservice. He then explained their current activities, in which national and local experts cooperate with farmers tobuild a society resilient to climate change.
H.E. Dr. Basuki Hadimuljono, the minister for Public Works and Housing, Indonesia, spoke about cross-agencies
activities to combat climate change, including an effective dam operation practice coupled with a rainfall andriver level prediction system. He also described an e-learning program to train facilitators who will contribute toimplementing policies to improve communities' resilience and sustainability.
Dr. Salles, the regional director of the Department of Science and Technology Region XI, the Philippines,
mentioned two crucial components for the integration of "scientific knowledge integration" and "local community
activities": "Online Synthesis System for Sustainability and Resilience (OSS-SR)" and "facilitators". Moreover, heintroduced innovative, comprehensive activities by the HELP Davao Network, an organization working to help
the community improve its flood resilience and sustainability by involving volunteers from various fields andsectors such as academia, media, government, industry, and civic organizations.
Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, the mayor of Kumamoto City, spoke about the current status of the city's vital water
resource and water-related disasters. After explaining that its groundwater has been decreasing in volume andquality and that the city has been experiencing floods frequently, the mayor described their efforts to reduce
flood risks, such as evacuation drills using a VR-based flood experience system and their plans to conserve water
resources and improve water quality by involving neighboring municipalities and farmers.
During the panel discussion that followed, Dr. Han, the chair of the High-Level Panel on Water and Disaster(HELP), commented that the "cross-sectoral" and "multi-layered" approaches presented in the four cases shouldbe pursued simultaneously.
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Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, a member of the House of Representatives and a former minister of Justice of Japan, addedthat although the four case regions faced different challenges, they all shared a cross-sectoral, sustainable, andinclusive approach, and that they commonly had the need to maximize the use of scientific and technologicalknowledge, on-site experience, and community power. She also mentioned the importance of cross-sectoralcollaboration, support for cutting-edge science and innovation, and the training of experts who can serve as
facilitators to bridge the gap.
Ms. Sotomayor, the World Bank Africa practice manager of the Water Global Practice, commented on each casestudy from the perspective of the World Bank, which provides financial support for activities in all four regions.
Finally, Prof. Pereira of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the vice-chair of Working Group II of the IPCC Sixth
Assessment Report, pointed out that the common denominator in each case study was the impact of climatechange, which was confirmed by the IPCC, and explained future risks caused by climate change.
The representatives of the four regions expressed their appreciation for the panelists' comments and responded
to the points raised. The session concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Inoue, the director general of the Water
Management and Land Conservation Bureau, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
It is worth keeping in mind that all four presentations stressed the importance of a "multi-sectoral and multilayered approach", "knowledge integration", "facilitator training", and "inclusiveness". Parts of the presentations
and discussions in the showcase event were reflected in the APWS4 Chair's Summary.

Key messages
It is worth keeping in mind that all four presentations stressed the importance of a "multi-sectoral and multilayered approach", "knowledge integration", "facilitator training", and "inclusiveness". Parts of the presentations
and discussions in the showcase event were reflected in the APWS4 Chair's Summary.

Picture 1 Kumamoto City Showcase

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Picture 2 The panelists and speakers of the session

Small Islands State Session
Session title
Special High-level Session for the Small Island States

Key message from the session
The session emphasizes the unique vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the needfor international cooperation through sharing of technology, capacity building, and disaster response. As SIDS are
vulnerable to water-related disasters which is exacerbated by climate change, it is vital to improve climate anddisaster resilience. Various suggestions to improve resilience for SIDS are raised in the session such as throughbetter water technology, satellite and assessment to predict disaster, and capacity building. There is also a needfor financing as water technology is very expensive.

Session overview
The special high-level session for SIDS is intended to bring forward SIDS-specific water issues, including how toaddress their vulnerability to disasters due to climate change. This session was co-organized by the Governmentof Australia, the Government Japan, ADB, UNDESA/UNCRD, and JAXA. Representatives of SIDS countries areinvited to share their common problems, vulnerabilities, and existing efforts. In total, there are seven participantsfrom SIDS countries including Prime Minister of Tuvalu and President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands(through video message). The result of the discussion is expected to feed into the outcome document of the AsiaPacific Water Summit and will also contribute to the 7th Global Platform for Disaster Reduction in May 2022
in Bali, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in September 2022 in Brisbane, theMidterm Review of the Water Action Decade in 2023 and the 4th International Conference on Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) in 2024.

Session agenda
Moderator: Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, HELP Coordinator / Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Opening (15 minutes)• Opening remarks by H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water andDisasters (HELP) / Former Prime Minister of Republic of Korea• Welcome remarks by Mr. Masafumi Yokota, Deputy Minister for International Projects• Welcome remarks by H.E. Ms. Jan Adams AO PSM, Ambassador of Australia
Keynote speeches by heads of states and government (7 min/each)• Honourable Kausea NATANO, Prime Minister of Tuvalu• H.E. Mr. David KABUA, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (video message)
Keynote Presentation (7 minutes)• H. E. Mr. Ahmed Mujthaba, Minister of State for Environment of the Republic of Maldives• The Hon. Mr. Crossley Tatui, Minister for Infrastructure and Finance of Niue
• Dr. YAMAKAWA Hiroshi, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

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Remarks by other representatives of the countries and organizations (5 min/each)• H.E. Mr. John Fritz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Federated States of Micronesia• H.E. Ms. Faalavaau Perina Jacqueline Sila-Tualaulelei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Independent State of Samoa• H.E. Dr. Tevita Suka Mangisi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Tonga (tbc)• Ms. Alexandra Galperin, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Pacific Department at Asian Development
Bank (ADB)• Mr. Kazushige Endo, Director of United Nations Centre for Regional Development• Dave Hebblethwaite, Water Security and Governance Coordinator of SPC
Closing (5 minutes)• Final comments by Mr. Henk Ovink, Special Water Envoy, the Netherlands• Closing remarks by the moderator

Key discussion points (including each presenter/panelist's discussion points)

Prof. Kenzo Hiroki• Water challenges in SIDS include among others securing water sources, access to safe drinking water andsanitation, and coping with sea level rise/droughts.

H.E. Dr. Han Seung-soo, Chair of High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP) /Former Prime Minister of Republic of Korea• SIDS have high potentials with expansive area of biodiversity. SIDS however face challenges due to rapid
climate changes. SIDS are very susceptible to water-related risks. Covid-19 also causes significant impact on
SIDS. They are very affected such as in the form of their GDP.

Mr. Masafumi Yokota, Deputy Minister for International Projects, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan• Japan is surrounded by all sea and composed by a lot of islands, and therefore it shares common issues withSIDS countries. MLIT is also focusing on water-related disasters. They are focusing on methodology observation
by utilizing various technologies, such as JAXA.

H.E. Ms. Jan Adams AO PSM, Ambassador of Australia• Ambassador Adams discusses about the regional or multinational processes that can support Pacific countries
in managing challenges related to disaster risk reduction and climate change.
• Ambassador Adams notes about the vulnerability of Asia Pacific region to water disasters, such as flooding.
Therefore, Australia works closely with the Pacific to improve climate and disaster resilience. Australia aims to
make everyone's voices heard and since DRR is important, they aim to include marginalized group in decision
making as well as increasing resilient infrastructure.
• Australia is also committed to investment in science and technology to ensure good early warning system. They
have also increased commitment to climate finance for developing countries in the Indo-Pacific.
• Australia just launched partnership with SPC to strengthen flash-flood early warning.

Honourable Kausea NATANO, Prime Minister of Tuvalu• PM Natano discusses about the climate change that threatens SIDS as it bring further the scarcity of fresh
water, threatening sustainability. PM Natano brings forth the issues in Tuvalu such as damage to crops and162infrastructure due to water disaster. For example, the impact of cyclone in the past. Lower rainfall is also
another issue due to ongoing impact of La Nina. Some of their islands are currently in the drought warning
status.
• PM Natano calls for increased of water storage capacity and sustainable use of local water resources as highpriority for Pacific islands nations. Water catchment needs to be improved as well as strengthened cooperation
regarding water resource management. Building resilience is top priority for Tuvalu. He emphasizes thatclimate change is human rights and security issue. As the pressure for climate change increases, it can bringdisplacement.
• He brings commitment for resilient development by multi-stakeholders approach in the Pacific. He wishes tofocus on preparedness and to seek capacity through cooperation between various stakeholders and adapt tomake sustainable development possible. Sustainability is intended to be the objective. He stresses the need tocome out of the pandemic as resilient and in cooperation with others.

H.E. Mr. David KABUA, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands• Sharing the best practices of Marshall Islands: the government of Marshall Islands and JICA has collaborated ina water collection system. The system has existed for 40 years. As they don't have source of fresh water, theywish to focus on water technology.
• They wish for simple, portable, and affordable water technology as a way to address families living in the ruralarea in Marshall Islands.

H. E. Mr. Ahmed Mujthaba, Minister of State for Environment of the Republic of Maldives• Minister Mujtabha discusses about the situation in Maldives. The island communities in Maldies rely on
groundwater and rainwater. However, the geography and scarcity of ground water pose serious limitation onwater security related to catchment and storage. Climate change and high population density add up to thewater-related issues faced by Maldives.
• The Government of Maldives is committed to provide portable water for all as a form of basic human rights.
The government has embarked on infrastructure development that will provide sustainably managed safe waterin islands irrespective of size and population number.
• Minister Mujtabha strengthens the importance of sharing international expertise in scientific research,
exchanging assistances in capacity development, and advances in technology are necessary in order toenhance services in SIDS.

The Hon. Mr. Crossley Tatui, Minister for Infrastructure and Finance of Niue
• Minister Tatui emphasizes the need to increase resilience and the problems faced by Niue. Water mostly comesfrom underground. However, maintenance of water system is expensive, and the existing national water system
and infrastructures are obsolete. Cyclones are devastating and unpredictable as the one which hit Niue earlier
in 2022. Rainwater storage also has limited catchment capacity. Niue is remote, vulnerable, geographicallyisolated, and has small number of population as many of their people migrate overseas. As the people live
physically scattered, it is expensive to build and maintain infrastructure.
• Water actions together is needed to ensure resilience. Niue wishes to attract people back to their nationbuilding and therefore, water is important for them.

Dr. YAMAKAWA Hiroshi, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)• Dr. Yamakawa discusses about space technologies contributing in island states. The island states are vulnerable
to crisis due to climate change. The 3rd international conference on SIDS in Samoa in September 2014163

identified DRR as one of the major priorities. Observation from space allows monitoring of ocean and satellite
data is an effective mean to understand the real time status of disasters. Comparisons of pre-disaster and postdisaster observations can also be applied to damage assessment. For example, Dr. Yamakawa shows how
meteorological satellite could observe the large-scale eruption of a volcano in Tonga.
• Dr. Yamakawa also shows the image of cyclone Winston visualized by Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation(GSMaP). GSMaP can be very useful as it can confirm the possibility of disaster occurences in advance. With
the support of JICA, many local weather agencies utilize GSMaP. It can be used for local people and local
community.
• JAXA also has a website called "Climate Rainfall Watch". It is hoped to help address forest fire and drought in
Asia-Pacific. (https://sharaku.eorc.jaxa.jp/GSMaP_CLM/index.htm)• Dr. Yamakawa stresses in the end that space technologies can offer:〇

Disaster risk awareness〇Real time monitoring〇

Damage assessment• GSMaP are especially useful in the island states and provide information on preventing risks on water related
disasters. JAXA will support the necessity of science and technology through provision of continuous satellite
observation and strengthening space-based measurement technologies.

H.E. Mr. John Fritz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Federated States of Micronesia• Ambassador Fritz emphasizes the relations between water and quality of life and national development.
Micronesia has history of protecting and trying to manage their water cycle with their water resources exist
in the form of surface water and groundwater. The country's priority remains water conservation and access.
The country has passed various acts and policies to ensure access to portable water. They are also working on
national Water Master Plan.
• Micronesia is committed to provide good quality of life. The Ambassador stresses the need for international
assistance to continue supporting Micronesia's commitment to meet the basic water needs for its dispersed
population. They are committed to protecting their valuable water cycle and water resources by partnering with
development partners.

H.E. Ms. Faalavaau Perina Jacqueline Sila-Tualaulelei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Independent State of Samoa• Ambassador Faalavau discusses about the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources. This is exacerbatedby changing weather patterns, increased frequency of floods and droughts, and sea level rise due to climatechange. Rising salinity also causes health problem in SIDS including Samoa. Other issues faced by SIDS
include coastal erosion and overextraction to provide drinking water. Deforestation, pollution, and landdegradation around catchment area further place pressures on water quality and supply.
• Ambassador Faalavau calls for integrated sustainable and economically viable solutions. Science andtechnology is critical in the form of data analysis, funding and technical support, and partnership.
• Some other possible solutions are wastewater treatment facilities or artificial wetlands. Appropriate technology
is very important yet expensive and non-affordable. Samoa is still developing its wastewater treatment capacity.
To reduce freshwater loss and protect water quality in catchment, they implement zoning, protection, andrehabilitation of land.
• It is important to continue investment in initiatives and policies to ensure water efficiency.

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H.E. Dr. Tevita Suka Mangisi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Tonga• Ambassador Mangisi discussed about the vulnerabilities of SIDS and situation that hit Tonga post volcanic
eruption in January 2022. It further highlights the importance of proper water governance and need for resilient
infrastructure.
• Tonga is currently in the immediate response phase, with 3 years recovery plan in effect at the estimated cost of
USD240 million. Financing is crucial as well as sharing of technology, for example through himawari satellite
as in JAXA presentation.
• Tonga follows the 2nd Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 and wish to highlight theimportance of water within their development plan. They wish to restore a sound and secure water cycle toreduce disaster risk.

Ms. Alexandra Galperin, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Pacific Department at AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB)• Introduction about comprehensive approach to Disaster Risk Assessments. The expected output for the risk
assessment approach is for mapping, loss estimates, social impacts, and asset database.
• Ms. Galperin also shows the map of Tongatapu inundation hazards and CC impact as well as Tongatapu
permanent asset loss due to sea level rise. Another slide shown is the different level of exposure to hazard.

Mr. Kazushige Endo, Director of United Nations Centre for Regional Development• UNCRD launched a Smart City programme financed by MLIT which aims to provide technical assistanceand build resilience through the programme. UNCRD will host a series of capacity building including smart
city project. This will have direct synergy with other SDG. For the training, they can visit model city such as
Okinawa.
• Okinawa is a good case as it is highly vulnerable to natural disaster and climate change impacts, alsofrequently hit by typhoon. They have long history of addressing water issues. Capacity building workshop will
be opportunity to gain useful knowledge from Okinawa. Okinawa is integrating physical infrastructures andhuman system with digital technologies in order to deliver better service.

Dave Hebblethwaite, Water Security and Governance Coordinator of SPC• Mr. Hebblethwaite stresses the need for strengthening dialogue that water is critical for climate change andresilience. SDG6 is very critical for climate change adaptation.
• A video is shown about resilient groundwater which further support resilient pacific community through thecase of Yaro Village in Fiji. The community's drinking water is threatened, and they were hit by Cyclone Yasa
which destroyed 26 houses including evacuation center. To conserve water, the village tanks were only used
twice a week. That's how they manage the village water supply for about 6 month after the cyclone.
• After this disaster, there is groundwater project as part of disaster response by Fiji government. Now eachhousehold has access to tap outside of their house. Thus, health and general welfare improve.

Mr. Henk Ovink, Special Water Envoy, the Netherlands• Mr. Ovink stresses that SIDS is the core of development of resilience and adaptation of climate change. As cohost to UN2023, Netherland aims to bring the agenda from the 4th APWS to Dushanbe conference to UN2023.
This will be the moment where we put agenda on the table, and we should be committed to the agenda. Mr.
Ovink reiterates the need for action and unite our actions and contributions of what we need to do. We should
ensure capacity not only in technology but also at local level.
• Tajikistan and Netherlands stand ready to work with SIDS to bring forward the agenda in the UN2023.

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Answers to the questions from the three Integrated Sessions

1) Science and Technologies
With regards to science and technologies, appropriate water technology for SIDS is very important yet it shouldbe affordable. JAXA has shown some examples about how space technologies can contribute in island states.
Observation from space allows monitoring of ocean and satellite data is an effective mean to understand the realtime status of disasters. Comparisons of pre-disaster and post-disaster observations can also be applied to damage
assessment. Observation through Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) can be very useful as it canconfirm the possibility of disaster occurences in advance. With the support of JICA, many local weather agencies
utilize GSMaP. It can be used for local people and local community.
The session agrees on investment in science and technologies. President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
also agrees on the necessity for simple, portable, and affordable water technology. This commitment to provide
portable water for all is also raised by the government of Maldives through infrastructure development andsharing international expertise in scientific research.

2) Governance
The session stresses the need for international partnership and capacity building. Multi-stakeholder approach isnecessary as brought forward by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu. Minister Mujthaba from Maldives raised about the
key importance of exchanging assistances in capacity development.
Capacity development is shown through UNCRD's initiative of smart city program. This smart city program is insynergy with SDG and aims aims to provide technical assistance and build resilience through the programme.
ADB also presented comprehensive approach to DRR in Aisa Pacific with mapping, loss estimates, social impacts,
and asset database as the output of the approach.

3) FinanceFor finance, the session showcase the need for resilient and affordable water technology and infrastructure.
Ambaasador Faalavau from Samoa emphasizes the need to continue investment in initiatives and policies toensure water efficiency. Australia also expresses their increased commitment to climate finance for developing
countries in the Indo-Pacific as well as investment in science and technology to ensure good early warning
system. It is important to ensure that water technology's establishment and maintenance is affordable foreverybody, including those who live in rural area in SIDS.

Showcase actions
・ Country implemented: Japan・ The Overview (please write shortly):

UNCRD showcases Okinawa as a model city for Smart City programme. While Okinawa is highly vulnerable
to natural disaster and climate change impacts, they have long history of addressing water issues. Okinawa
is integrating physical infrastructures and human system with digital technologies in order to deliver better
service.
・ Referable URL:

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Slide from JAXA

Slide from ADB

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Closing Ceremony
APWF Governing Council Chair, RAVI Narayanan Farewell Statement

Mark Pascoe's thanks to Mr. Ravi Narayanan

It has been an honour and pleasure to be part of the Governing Council of the Asia Pacific Water Forum for 16
years, first as Vice chair from 2006 to 2013 and then as Chair for nine years since 2013 under the leadershipand guidance of our President, Mr Yoshiro Mori. During this time I have learnt an enormous lot thanks to theexperience, wisdom and generosity of the members of the Governing Council especially the Japan Water Forumsupported by the Government and people of Japan. Two other organizations, the Asian Development Bank and
UNESCAP have been instrumental in nurturing the growth of the APWF.
The APWF has grown from an idea into a formidable organization which has earned the recognition as theauthentic water voice of the Asia Pacific region. None of this would have been possible without the energy
an commitment of three individuals in the japan Water Forum, Yumiko Asayama, Taeko Yokota and Noriko
Yamaguchi who have spared no effort to make the events such as the APWS a success.
Now we welcome the incoming Chair of the Governing Council, Mr. Mark Pascoe the Chief Executive of theInternational water Centre located in Griffith University in Australia who brings with him academic rigour, a wide
network and a gentle manner all of which will take the APWF to greater heights.
I hope he will receive the support that I have had in sharing and learning and the contributions that we can all
make in bringing water security to a thirsty world.
FAREWELL AND WISH YOU ALL WELL.

Mark Pascoe's thanks to Mr. Ravi Narayanan
A huge thanks to Ravi. I am humbled by Ravi's leadership and the Governing Council's acceptance andendorsement of me as the incoming Chair; indeed I have huge shoes to fill Ravi!. I could say lots of things about
Ravithough can I just say that I, like many of you here, have a huge respect for the manner in which you have
led the organisation. An organisation which I described earlier as a lean organisation which you have masterfully
brought together as a powerful network of people and organisations to progress a joint agenda of waterleadership in this Asia Pacific region.
What we have heard in the last two days indicates huge progress against the water challenges of the region which has
been catalysed by the Asia Pacific Water Forum and its Summits. I am inspired by the last "Integration" session and I
look forward to working with Changhua and Eduardo as Vice Chairs and the whole Governing Council in meeting thechallenges you have proposed Ravi which includes championing the path forward that we discussed and of course afirst step contributing to the UN Water Conference in New York next year. Thank you Ravi for your leadership!
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Youth message

Representatives of students from Jonan High School,
Fukuoka Prefecture, and youth from the Asia-PacificregionThis declaration is a Call to Action that reflects our concerns and embodies our aspiration for sustainable,
resilient, and inclusive focused solutions on water as we move towards the mid-term review of the decade of
Action on Water.
The theme for this Summit is "Water for Sustainable Development - Best Practices and the Next Generation" andwithin the theme itself, it speaks to the importance of young people and future generations. A sustainable future
will not be possible without the meaningful inclusion of youth at the forefront of accelerated transformation andaction in the region.
As the world moves toward the recovery from the global pandemic and simultaneously moves ahead to meet
the targets of the 2030 Agenda, we call for Member States to adopt an intersectional, non- discriminatory, andparticipatory approach, that adopts meaningful youth engagement and fosters youth leadership, so we cancollectively address the issues that affect water management in the region.
There have been many lessons learned throughout the pandemic, one of which is the vital role that water playsin the recovery process and that this region will continue to be affected by the impacts of climate change as
experienced through water extremes, flood, droughts and sea level rise, which in turn affect health, food and theeconomic sectors. We also want to acknowledge the importance of the efforts that civil society and young people
have played in the response to the COVID pandemic and help communities recover and build resilience.

The Asia Pacific region is home to 60% of the global youth population, making it the most youthful region and it
is time to make the most of this valuable resource. Cross-cutting interventions through multi-stakeholder models
require additional resources to support the necessary additional dialogue, planning and coordination. Successful
examples on the ground, such as the Youth for Water and Climate programme, Young Professionals Programmes
in water organizations and Youth for Asia, have demonstrated the resourcefulness, speed and cost effectivenessof working with youth. Institutionalizing an approach across levels to address water security and resilience isnecessary to deliver on the water for all vision.
The pillars of this conference has been to promote inclusion , maintain sustainability in order to build resiliencein the Region. To do this three areas of focus were identified: governance, science and technology and finances.

We the youth, ask the member states to consider the following:169

On Governance:
The creation of formalized pathways for youth to be included in water governance processes at local, nationaland regional levels.
- Ensuring meaningful engagement of all youth in policy, decision-making and monitoring related to climatechange, leaving no one behind. This can be achieved by investing in their capacity building and ensuring
representation of their voices at the local and national level or by creating youth committees for climatechange.

- Also, training for government and other actors on how to meaningfully work with young people; providing safe
spaces and resources to support youth-led governance activities-

On Science and Technology:- Youth must be empowered to provide solutions and demonstrate their expertise in specific areas, especially intechnology, innovation, and data. This can be done through research opportunities and technical support foryouth-led projects.

- Youth centered interventions and opportunities, such as paid internships, work placements, youth leadershipand business training, early career development opportunities and youth oriented entrepreneurship skills
development programmes, must also be encouraged so that they can mobilize their skills and knowledge.
- Also, encourage the cultivation of young water professionals. Provision of mentorship opportunities to young
professionals - esppecially those with strong interest in water.

On Finances:- To promote direct investment in the priority issues that affect young people, including youth initiatives andenterprises, youth organizations, and in productive sectors and activities that benefit them most.
- Use public-private partnership as a tool for decent growth in the economy.

- Address barriers impeding young water entrepreneurs from accessing capital, financial knowledge andnetworks.
Youth play a significant role in promoting an inclusive, sustainable and resilient society in Asia and the Pacific.
Youth should be seen as valuable partners in promoting water security in the region. This would entail adopting
positive attitudes toward working with young people as equal partners; creating safe and conducive spaces foryoung people to engage in decision-making processes and lead initiatives; and involving them every step of the
way.

170

Statement[Tentative Translation]
Mr. Tetsuo Saito
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan
Read by Mr. Norihiro Nakayama
Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

As Mr. Tetsuo Saito, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, urgently left Kumamoto
last night for the crisis matters, I would like to deliver his statement on behalf of him.
The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit was held here in Kumamoto City at the Summit level with participationof Prime Ministers and Heads of State and Governments and Ministers of 29 countries in Asia-Pacific region,delegations of international organizations, from home and abroad including online participants. First of all, I
would like to express my cordial gratitude on behalf of the Government of Japan in hosting this summit.
Due to the global spread of covid-19, we were forced to postpone this Summit, but I am extremely glad to havesuccessfully welcomed the closing ceremony here today by inviting everyone to realize holding a hybrid meeting
involving in-person/remote attendees with thoroughly taking appropriate infection prevention measures.
In addition, Kumamoto City has abundant groundwater and has been known for the "City of Water", and while
receiving the "Blessings of Water." It is also familiar with "Severity and Fear of Water", being hit by many serious
heavy rain disasters. I think it is very significant that we were able to hold this Summit on the theme of "Water"here.
In addition, the spread of covid-19 has severely impacted various fields of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). Above all, "Water" is particularly related to a wide range of fields of the SDGs, and in order to achieve
the goal by 2030, it is necessary to solve the water issues and each country should work together to accelerate
the efforts. I am convinced that the discussions on achieving the SDGs at this Summit will strengthen cooperation
with the Asia-Pacific region and will be a major step.
Well, at the opening ceremony of this Summit, I received a very valuable lecture from His Majesty the Emperor.
Then, following "Kumamoto Declaration" at the Summit-level Meeting, with the main theme of "Water for
Sustainable Development-Best Practice and Next Generation -", the Chair's Summary was released a while ago
after active discussions in 9 parallel thematic sessions and 4 integration sessions. Based on it, I strongly hope thatthe "Actions" of each government and international organization will be steadily promoted.
Of course, at this Summit, Japan will steadily implement the "Kumamoto Initiative for Water" announced byPrime Minister Fumio Kishida for the sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region. As the Minister of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Minister in charge of Water Cycle Policy of Japan, I will continue toactively contribute to the "promotion of initiatives in the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures" andthe "promotion of initiatives forward improving the basic living environment" through such as Japan's advanced
technologies and high-quality infrastructure development.
In addition, we will make efforts to reflect the results obtained through this Summit in discussions at various
international conferences that will be held in the future, such as the United Nations Conference on the Medium
171

Comprehensive Review of "the Water Action Decade" to be held in March 2023, the SDG Summit, and the
medium review of the Sendai Cooperation Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
At last, the closing ceremony of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit is the last event. I would like to express mygratitude to all those who participated until the end of the Summit, and to pay tribute to all the stakeholders who
have contributed to the operation of this summit, including the Executive Committee of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water
Summit.
Finally, I will close my remarks wishing you good health and prosperity.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.

172

Closing Remarks

Mr. Kazufumi Onishi
Mayor of Kumamoto City

On behalf of the organizers, I would like to say a few words at the closing of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.
For the past two days, the Water Summit has been held here at Kumamoto-Jo Hall. We were honored by the
online presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, were joined in person by the heads of state andgovernment from 11 overseas countries and regions, and welcomed many, many participants from Japan andoverseas, including many online participants.
As an organizer, it is my greatest pleasure that the Water Summit has been held without incident.
The Water Summit was originally scheduled to be held in January 2019, but, with COVID-19 playing havoc theworld over, it was subsequently postponed once before finally being held without a hitch in this new in-person
and online format.
The successful conclusion of the Water Summit is entirely a result of more than three years of considerable
preparation in cooperation with various relevant organizations, and I would like to express my sincere respectand gratitude to all those who were involved in organizing this event.
At the Water Summit, the leaders of each country, together with other participants, engaged in enthusiastic
discussion on the theme: "Water for Sustainable Development -Best Practices and the Next Generation-."It goes without saying that water problems are connected to a variety of complex issues, such as responding todisasters that are growing in intensity because of climate change, ensuring safe food and water, initiatives for
public health, as well as social activities for the socially disadvantaged to ensure they are not left behind.
These two days, during which top leaders of each country shared their knowledge and worked to resolve such
issues, were of tremendous significance.
In particular, the Kumamoto Declaration adopted yesterday presented a common understanding that, in viewof the importance of water in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to transform into a qualityoriented society that is resilient, sustainable, and inclusive by strengthening efforts for water sustainability.
The Kumamoto Declaration will play a large part in next year's UN Water Conference, and I am confident that
it will provide a pathway of hope for the future of water not only in the Asia-Pacific region but throughout theworld.
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Following the conclusion of the Water Summit, Kumamoto City remains firmly committed to passing on to thenext generation the bounties of nature and the rich groundwater nurtured by the tireless efforts of our ancestors.
What's more, we will redouble our efforts to promote the creation of a sustainable society in which residents canlive with peace of mind even in the face of increasingly severe floods, natural disasters, and other adversities.
I hope that you have enjoyed your stay in Kumamoto and that our preparations and hospitality have made yourstay all the more memorable.
I am so pleased that this event overlapped with the ongoing Kumamoto Green Vision Expo National Urban
Greening Fair, the largest flower and greenery festival in Japan, so that we could greet you with the water andgreenery Kumamoto prides itself upon on full display. I dearly look forward to seeing all of you again.
In closing, I am sincerely grateful to everyone for all their efforts in organizing the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
and to all the participants from Japan and overseas.

174

Official Side Events
Symposium
Side Event 1: Suggestions from Elementary School Students in Kumamoto to theWorld! -Toward Zero Marine Litter Name of the Main Organizer

Umi-to-Nippon Project in Kumamoto
Name of Co-organizer

Kumamoto city education center
Time and Date

23 April, 2022, 13:10-14:40 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitator

SATOMI SHIBATA, Anchorperson, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Presenters

Hiyoshi Higashi
Elementary School, Tamukaenishi Elementary School, Amakusa High School（Science club）
Number of local participants

150
Number of online participants

35
Related Side Event Overview

Kumamoto uses a bounty of groundwater and is supported by a rich ocean. However, the problem of marine
debris is becoming a worldwide concern, and Kumamoto's oceans are no exception. Much of the marine debris isthought to be discarded by people living in towns and cities and washed into the ocean via rivers. Microplastics, inparticular, are impossible to recover, and there are concerns about their impact on the ecosystem. The results of theelementary school students' studies on these issues will be shared with the world, and proposals will be made to
reduce marine litter to zero.
Key Messages from the Event

Aiming for zero marine debris 〈Declaration of zero marine debris〉"Pick up trash, don't throw away trash, choose one that can be used repeatedly".

175

Side Event 2: Kyushu in Asia and the PacificTalks on Sustainable Life with Water by People Linked
with the Water in this Area
Name of the Main Organizer

Kyushu Water Forum
Time and Date

23 April, 2022, 15:10-16:40 (Japan Local Time)
Room and Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitator

Secretary-General, Kyushu Water Forum: Satoquo SEINO(Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University)
Presenters
・ Greetings

Chaireperson of Kyushu Water Forum Executive Committee: Masayoshi NUKI
(Counselor, Kyushu Electric Power Company)
・ Purpose of the Planning

Secretary-General, Kyushu Water Forum: Satoquo SEINO(Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University)
・ Good Practices of Canpanies and Citizens from Kyushu and the Nationwide

Ryuuzou MAEHATAKE (Head, Mimigawa Hydro Power Development Office, Kyushu Electric Power Company),
Yoshinori OONO (Executive Director, The Foundation for the Preservation of Green and Water Resources of Higo),:Hirotoshi HORINOUCHI (General Manager of Administration division, KIRISHIMA SHUZO Co., Ltd.),:Tetsuro UEYAMA (Group Manager, Business Development Department, Kyowakiden Industry Co., Ltd.),
Kimikazu SAYAMA (Secretariat, Water and Greenery Association)
・ Panel Discussion

Chair: Satoquo SEINO
Panelist ：Sachiyo HOSHINO (Special Adviser to th Regional Representative UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific),
Mitsuyuki KAMOTO uperintendent, Regional Environment Office in Kyushu, Ministry of the Environment of Japan),
Kimikazu SAYAMA (Secretariat, Water and Greenery Association)
Number of local participants

113
Number of online participants

52
Side Event Overview

Sustainable use of water and environmental conservation requires continuous efforts by a diverse group of people.

176

Kyushu is a region blessed with nature, and its people have lived a rich life in terms of history and culture.
Diverse people of many generations have been continuously working together to protect the health of water,
overcome water-related disasters, and create social systems. In recent years, from the perspective of the SDGs,
global initiatives from Kyushu have also become necessary.
This time, from the perspective of Kyushu in the Asia-Pacific region, people connected by water will discuss andconsciously formulate a sustainable life with water, connecting the region, Japan, and the world.
Key Messages from the Event

Kyushu Water Forum Declaration
Contributing to a Sustainable Asia-Pacific Region with the Wisdom of Water in Kyushu
People of the world, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, are facing a serious situation with regard to water.
Almost all of the issues in the Asia-Pacific region are found in the Kyushu region.
Kyushu is an island with an Asian monsoon climate. It is affected by various weather conditions of the oceans
and continents. Here, people have lived in harmony with various types of natural environment since ancient
times. As a result, they have overcome disasters such as typhoons, floods and droughts. By wisely using thewater provided by the diverse natural environment, we have developed high-level industries such as agriculture,
forestry, fisheries, manufacturing and consumer goods industry.
For its geographical location, Kyushu is open to the Asia-Pacific region. The mindset of the people of Kyushu
is toward the Asia-Pacific region. Kyushu has an advantage over other regions of Japan in transmitting lessons
learned from past disasters and wisdom of wisely using water to the Asia-Pacific region.
This spirit and aspiration of Kyushu will attract the most advanced industries in the world to Kyushu.
The people of Kyushu will continue to work tirelessly for "water of the future". It is our hope that the people of the
Asia-Pacific region join our efforts and that Kyushu develops into a hub for the development of the Asia-Pacific region.
On the occasion of the 2022 Asia Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto, we took a fresh look at the relationshipbetween Kyushu and water. We can help people in the Asia-Pacific region to solve their water issues because wewill work on our water issues with sincere efforts here in Kyushu.
We, the people of Kyushu, hope to contribute to the sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region throughour efforts for water in Kyushu.
We hereby declare our determination to do so.
April 23, 2022

Side-Event Participants of the Kyushu Water Forum

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178

Side Event 3: Space Technologies for addressing Water Issues
Name of the Main Organizer

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Time and Date

23 April 2022, 17:10-18:40 (Japan Local Time)
Room and Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitators

Koji Terada, Director General, Space Technology DirectorateⅠ, JAXA
Dr. Riko Oki, Director of Earth Observation Research Center, JAXA
Presenters● Mr. HAYASHI Takahiro, Deputy Director-General, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education,

Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan● Honorable Rahm EMANUEL, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan● Mr. John C. TAYLOR, Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka, Japan● Dr. Hiroshi YAMAKAWA, President, JAXA
● Dr. Karen St. GERMAN, Director, Earth Science Division, NASA, U.S.
● Mr. Stephen MEKE, Acting Principal Scientific Officer, National Weather Forecasting Centre, and RSMC Nadi,

Fiji Meteorological Service, Fiji
● Mr. Socrates F. PAAT, Jr., Assistant Weather Services Chief, Hydro-Meteorology Division, Philippine

Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippines● Dr. Mohamed RASMY, Senior Researcher, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under

the auspices of UNESCO● Mr. Keitaro KIMURA, Director for Statistics Planning, Statistics Planning Division, Minister's Office, Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan● Ms. Neeta POKHREL, Chief of Water Sector Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Number of local participants82
Number of online participants

11

179

Side Event Overview

Mr. HAYASHI Takahiro, Deputy Director-General of MEXT delivered Opening Remarks stating that stable andcontinuous acquisition and accumulation of satellite data will contribute to solutions for water-related issues suchas disaster damage reduction and food security.
Ambassador Rahm EMANUEL, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and Mr. John C. TAYLOR, Principal Officer at the U.S.
Consulate in Fukuoka, were invited for the keynote speeches addressing the importance of cooperation among
countries.
In Session 1: "Overview of space technologies", Dr. Hiroshi YAMAKAWA, President of JAXA, and Dr. Karen St.
GERMAN, Director of Earth Science Division of NASA, introduced their satellite missions contributing to waterrelated issues.
In Session 2: "Panel Discussion: Addressing for Resolution of Water Issues by use of Earth Observation Data",
moderated by Dr. Riko OKI, Director of Earth Observation Research Center of JAXA, 5 panelists were invited to
explain their achievements, and discuss what we need to tackle the water-related issues.
Key Messages from the Event

In the Kumamoto Declaration, the provision of science and technology to solve water-related issues is strongly
required to strengthen the development of quality infrastructurefor the water sector. To respond to the request,
JAXA will support strengthening the Earth Observation network and promote the significance and application ofsatellite observation to water-related issues, continuous satellite observation, and use of satellite data.

180

Side Event 4: Kumamoto Forum on What You Can Do For"River Basin Disaster Resilience and Sustainability by All"～"Urban planning" and "Capacity building" for intensifying water disaster～Name of the Main Organizer

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, Kumamoto Riverand National Road Office
Time and Date

24 April, 2022, 10:30-12:00 (Japan Local Time)
Room and Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitator

Toshio Koike ,the Director of Public Works Research Institute, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk
Management (ICHARM).
Presenters

Toshio Koike, the Director of Public Works Research Institute, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk
Management (ICHARM).
Kazunori Arita, TKU Kumamoto Telecasting press bureau's deputy manager. The managing editor and reporter,
disaster prevention expert.
Masakatsu Ikeda, A person experienced 1953 flood (Shirakawa River).
Harumi Takenaga, A disaster prevention education coordinator.
Yosuke Tanaka, The chairperson of Midorikawa River basin meeting.
Hotaru Hayata, A mom weather forecaster, disaster prevention expert.
Number of local participants

103
Number of online participants

39
Side Event Overview① Lecture: Climate change and the Transition to "River Basin Disaster Resilience and Sustainability by All" policy

Introduce climate change, Flood Damages, "River Basin Disaster Resilience and Sustainability by All" policy,
and the various roles of citizen's in the policy.
②Panel discussion: Experience around Flood and Joining to "River Basin Disaster Resilience and Sustainability byAll" from tomorrow
Introduce flood experience, disaster prevention education, local exchange activity, on-site training, anddisaster prevention news, etc in Kumamoto. And think about the citizen's approach for the future.

181

Key Messages from the Event
・ In response to the increasing risk of water-related disasters, it is necessary to engage in "River Basin Disaster

Resilience and Sustainability by All".
・ In disaster prevention activities, it is important for citizens to learn from the experiences of disasters anddevelop a cycle of action by adding ideas considering a regional and generational context.
・ Various meaningful experiences and initiatives in Kumamoto were introduced, such as passing on the tragic

flood experience, combining a disaster prevention theme with games and environmental learning, raisingawareness of the river as a local treasure, collaboration among active organizations and generations andpartnership among media organizations that compete each other.
・ We hope that these initiatives inspire the citizens to take part in "River Basin Disaster Resilience andSustainability by All". We also expect that their efforts lead to the formation of a sustainable, high-quality
society.

182

Side Event 5: "Kumamoto, Land of Water" Symposium～Groundwater Preservation Efforts in the Kumamoto Area～
Name of the Main Organizer

Executive Committee of the "Kumamoto, Land of Water" SymposiumTime and Date

24 April, 2022, 12:30-14:00 (Japan Local Time)
Room and Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitator

Jun Shimada, Professor Emeritus, Specially-Appointed Professor, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology,
Kumamoto University
Presenters
・ Tetsuya Yoshida, Kumamoto Prefectural Government Environmental Policy Promotion Division
・ Akira Hamano, City of Kumamoto Water conservation section
・ Keiichi Shinno, Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation
・ Yoshinori Oono, The Foundation for the Preservation of Green and Water Resources of Higo

Number of local participants

114
Number of online participants

71
Side Event Overview

In Kumamoto City and its surrounding municipalities, almost 100% of the domestic water is supplied fromgroundwater. We would like to explain why there exists so rich groundwater in Kumamoto Area and the uniquehydrogeological structure. We would also like to introduce the efforts of the citizens, the private sector, andKumamoto City and Prefectural government to conserve groundwater so that we can pass on to future generations
the blessing of our precious groundwater.
Key Messages from the Event

Activities that raise awareness to the invisible groundwater flow system play a very important role. These activities
allow residents living above groundwater aquifer to realize its importance and only then can they understand andcooperate to make the necessary efforts to achieve a sustainable use of groundwater.
In the Kumamoto area, there is a wide range of structures and dynamic activities promoting a sustainable use ofgroundwater. Those structures and activities by local governments and environmental organizations are goingahead of the national government, it is our belief that the model proposed in Kumamoto can be shared nationallyand internationally.
We hope that this summit will be the opportunity to convey to Japan and overseas the efforts and challenges to183preserve a sustainable use of groundwater that Kumamoto has taken on.

Keynote speech

184

Panel discussion

Side Event 6: The role of forests in contributing to water infrastructure
Name of the Main Organizer

Forestry Agency
Name of Supporter

Japan Forest Conservation Association
Time and Date

24 April, 2022, 14:15-18:00 (Japan Local Time)
Room and Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Civic Hall and Online
Facilitator

Takashi Gomi
Professor, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Presenters【Greetings from the Organizer】

Zentaro Kosaka
Director-General, Private Forest Department, Forestry Agency【Information】

Kenji Hayashi
Senior Planning Officer, Conservation Division, Forestry Agency【Keynote Speech】

Makoto Tani
Honorary Professor, Kyoto University【Case Study】

Yoshinori Shinohara
Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki
Shinichi Onodera
Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Hiroshima University
Ryuichiro Maruyama
General Manager of CSV Promotion Department, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. Corporate Communication
Supervisory Department, Management Reform Headquarters
Nang Yu War
Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University
Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Myanmar【Panel Discussion】

Facilitator:
Takashi Gomi
Professor, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Panelists: All speakers

185

【Closing Remarks】

Yorimitsu Tsumoto
Executive Director, Japan Forest Conservation Association
Number of local participants

96
Number of online participants

94
Side Event Overview

The following presentations were given by each speaker:
Policy for Fulfillment of the Water Resource Conservation Function of Forests by Forestry Agency (Mr. Hayashi)
Forest and Water - From a viewpoint of the long-life characteristics of tree species (Honorary Prof. Tani)Management of Coniferous Plantations and Water Resources, Soil Erosion, and Landslide Disasters (Assoc. prof.
Shinohara)
Evaluating Water Resource Conservation and Other Forest Functions: Estimating Water, Soil, and Nutrient Runoffs
with the SWAT Model (Prof. Onodera)
Water resource conservation activities in the Coca-Cola system (Mr. Maruyama)
Estimation of Soil Erosion under Major Land Covers of Inle Watershed in Shan State, Myanmar (Ms. Nang Yu War)The role of forests in "development of a system for groundwater use during disasters, critical water shortages, andother emergencies" (Prof. Gomi)
Toward Further Realization of the Water Source Recharge Function of Forests (Panel Discussion: All speakers)
Key Messages from the Event

The latest domestic and international research and private sector initiatives related to the water resource
conservation and disaster prevention functions of forests were introduced. The importance of further promotionof forest maintenance and conservation, research and development, as well as cooperation with foreign countries
and private sectors, was confirmed and informed widely.

The Keynote Speech by Honorary Prof. Tani

186

The panel Discussion by all speakers

Local Exhibition
Exhibitor

Theme

Infrastructure Systems & Technology Area

1

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau

2

TAISEI CORPORATION

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism/ Japan Water Agency
Jisedainotameni Ganbarokai ＆ Yatsushiro Riverand National Highway Office
Smart Energy Kumamoto Corporation
WATER WELL DRILLING COMPANYASSOCIATION OF JAPAN KYUSHU-BRANCHTEQUANAUTS Co., Ltd.
(Tobishima Corporation Group Company)
Azuma Solar Co., Ltd
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism, Kantou Regional Development Bureau,
Arakawa-Karyu River Office
SIP "Strengthening of National Resilience Against
Natural Disasters"

Water Cycle in Kyushu
Approach about the water infrastructure businessof TAISEI CORPORATION
Sustainable Water Resources Management andCooperation for Existing Dam Upgrading Project
History and Environment of the Kuma River Basinand the Torrential Disaster of July 2020
The local power business of Smart Energy
Kumamoto Corporation
Back up water for disasters
Efforts to protect the water environment withaquatic plant removal vessels
From Kumamoto to the world We deliver safe waterwith solar heat.
The advanced river management in Arakawa RiverBasin
SIP National Resilience breaks up a safe and securesociety

Kumamoto's Natural Environment Area

11

Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Service
Corporation

12

Aso UNESCO Global Geopark

13

Land Improvement District Council for the
Shirakawa River's Middle Basin Network for
Fostering Abundant Groundwater

14

Working Group for Water and Its Environment15

Non-Profit Organization Kumamoto Mirai
Network / Organic Farming Hyakusouen

Compare the water of the world with the water ofKumamoto
Kumamoto's water nurtured by the catastrophic
eruption of Aso
Paddy fields in the middle reaches of the Shirakawa
River nurture groundwater in the Kumamoto area
Mashiki Winter Paddy Flooding & Suntory Holdings
Mizu no Kuni Support Project
What shoud we do NOW? In order to make ourorganic agriculture sustainable, which will help
protect life and water.

Efforts for the Future Area

16

Non-Profit Organization Discovery Kumamoto

17

Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment andDisaster Management, Kumamoto University

18

Youth Water Forum Kumamoto

19

Youth Water Forum Kyushu

Sustainable Development Support Program―
Introducing the groundwater in Kumamoto to theworld.
Introduction of studies on water circulation andworks for the development of Kumamoto
Youth Water Forum Kumamoto: Introducing videos
and activities by Japanese high school students
Introducing videos and activities by Japanese highschool students who applied to Youth Water Forum
Kyushu187

Water Issues Seen Around the World and from Space Area

20

Teco-Japan (Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in Japan)

The Sustainability of Subsurface Water ―Taiwan's
Underground Weir "Erfeng Canal"

21

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)Space Technologies for addressing Water Issues

Culture, Research & Sustainability Area

22

Yasaka Kappa Club（OITA Prefecture）

23

Shiga Prefecture24

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.

25

Mizkan Center for Water Culture

188

Take a Look at Oita's Water Protectors!
Shiga's Efforts to Protect Lake Biwa's Water
Environment
Water Resources Conservation Activities and World
Without Waste in the Coca-Cola System"Being grateful for water and raising awarenessabout its importance" Mizkan Center for Water
CultureOnline Exhibition
Exhibitor

1

Youth Water Forum Kyushu （Japan Water Forum）

2

Kumamoto City

3

HICOM WATER

4

Hirata Corporation

5

KAJIMA CORPORATION6OBAYASHI CORPORATION7SHIMIZU CORPORATION8OYO Corporation

9

Takenaka Civil Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

10JFE Enginnering corporation

11

Fujita Corporation

12

Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering and Technology

13

Kumagai Gumi Co.,Ltd.

14

MAEDA CORPORATION

15

SATO KOGYO Co., Ltd.

16

Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.

17TOA CORPORATION

18

Tequanauts Inc. (Tobishima Corporation group company)

19

TOKYU CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

20

Tokyo Electron Limited.

21

Awa Paper & Technological Company inc.

22

Japan Global Center for Urban Sanitation

23

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kantou Regional Development Bureau,
Arakawa-Karyu River Office24

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau

25

United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

26

Pacific Community

189

Related Events
1. Special Sponcership from CELMO CO.,LTD: Kumamoto Spring Uekiichi
Name of the Main Organizer

Kumamoto Spring Uekiichi Executive Committee (Kumamoto Uekiichi Promotion Association/Kumamoto city)
Time and Date

1 February, 2022 - 11 March, 2022
Venue

Shirakawa riverbed, east side of JR Kumamoto Station
Number of local participants

82,000Related Side Event Overview

The origin of the Kumamoto Spring Uekiichi is said to have been more than 440 years ago, during the Tenshou
era, when Lord Chikamasa Jo, the lord of Kumamoto Castle, held a market to liven up the community andprovide fun for children.This event has been passed down to the present day and has become a major early
spring event with a history of over 440 years.
A wide variety of garden plants, bonsai trees, and flower seedlings of all sizes are sold at the festival. Succulents,
which are popular among the younger generation, and air plants that can be grown without soil are also sold.
Key Messages from the Event

Citizen oneself is energized and regains green to wait and is connected for
activation of the regional economy in its turn by holding the garden plant
market where has been got close to to many citizens as a spring pastime thatgives poetic charm of Kumamoto.

190

2. Symposium on creating liveliness by utilizing the waterfront in Kumamoto
Name of the Main Organizer

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kyushu Regional Development Bureau
Time and Date

12 February, 2022, 13:30-15:30 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Kumamoto-Jo Hall 3rd Floor A3 and A4 meeting rooms
Coordinator

Panel Discussion: Naoto Tanaka (Associate Professor, Kumamoto Innovative Development Organization,
Kumamoto University)
Presenters

Keynote Speech/Panelist: Yuji Hoshino (Associate Professor, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment andDisaster Management, Kumamoto University)
Panelists (Panel Discussion): Ryosuke Minami (President, Shiromimachi Zeneikai), Jason Morgan (CEO, Shirakawa
Banks), Kazunori Hoshiko (Mayor, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City), Masafumi Uemura (Director, River Environment
Division, River Department, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism)
Number of local participants

67
Number of online participants

67
Related Side Event Overview

This symposium focuses on the effective use of river space and regional revitalization, as represented by the"Green Section" of the Shirakawa River, which runs through the urban area of Kumamoto City. Keynote speeches
are given on the past flood control in the Shirakawa River and the utilization of river space in recent years, andpanel discussions are held on the utilization of river space by private sector vitality and the future prospects ofcity planning by inviting regional representatives of the private sector and city planning, experts, and governmentas panelists.
Key Messages from the Event

We are still experiencing serious flood damage, such as the torrential rains in July 2020, and we are now ata point where we need to change the direction of flood control throughout the entire watershed to cope withclimate change caused by global warming. In the future, it will be necessary for all parties involved in thewatershed to work together to implement flood control measures for the entire watershed, and the participationof residents will be important. To achieve this, we believe that getting familiar with the waterside during normal
times will lead to thinking about and understanding the river.
We hope that the past efforts of the "Green Section" will help Kumamoto citizens become more interested in the191

Shirakawa River (waterfront) and deepen their understanding of the importance of water.

192

3. Spring Kumamoto Castle Festival
Name of the Main Organizer

Kumamoto Castle Festival Steering Committee
Time and Date

12-13, 19-21, 26-27, March, 2022
Venue

Kumamoto Castle Ninomaru Square Special Stage
Number of local participants

18,116
Related Side Event Overview

In addition to stage events centering on traditional events that have been held continuously at Kumamoto Castle,
such as kobudo performances and taiko drumming performances, "The Spirit of Samurai" and "Kyushu Gassai"
will be performed by Busho-Tai from all over Japan.
Key Messages from the Event

Kumamoto Castle sends out a message of recovery from the earthquake disaster.

193

4. Postmaster recommended tour, Follow the roots of Kumamoto,a world-class groundwater city
Name of the Main Organizer

Mifuneueno Post Office
Time and Date

23 March - 24 May, 2022
Venue

Kashima Town, Mifune Town
Facilitator

Mifuneueno Postmaster
Presenters

Kashima Postmaster, Rokka Postmaster
Number of online participants

29
Related Side Event Overview

Using "Spot Tour"(digital sightseeing tour app),we departed the Rokka springs in Kashima-town,I went to the
Yoshimuta water source in Mifune-town while tracing the spots related to water upstream.
Key Messages from the Event

The abundant water of Kumamoto is created by Aso volcano and the symbiosis between nature and humans.

194

5. ADBI-Stanford University Country Policy Dialogue on Innovative Solutions
for Achieving City-wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS)Name of the Main Organizer

Asian Development Bank InstituteName of Co-organizer

Stanford University
Time and Date

6 April 2022, 9:30-17:10 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

OnlineFacilitators

Hiroshi Takami, Seungju Baek, Megumi Muto
Presenters

Naohiro Kitano, Sujatha Srinivasan, Patrick Lester Ty, Kazushi Hashimoto, Michael Bennon
Number of online participants

53 participants from Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan, US, UK, and several other countries
Related Side Event Overview

ADBI and Stanford University, in cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Asia PacificWater Forum, and development partners (ADB, JICA, Worldbank, IsDB, and others), hosted a virtual policy
dialogue on 6 April 2022 to share expert knowledge and discuss key issues pertaining to city-wide inclusive
sanitation (CWIS).
The event was attended by government officials of Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan,along with key persons at bilateral and multilateral development partners (Ministry of Finance Japan, ADB,World Bank, JICA, IsDB, BMGF, UK Water Aid, etc.) and knowledge partners (World Toilet Organisation, CEPT
University, Japan Sanitation Consortium, EAWAG, Japan Education Center of Environmental Sanitation). The main
objective of the policy dialogue was to strengthen "buy-in and demand" for future investments in CWIS among
governments.
The event opened with a presentation from Professor Naohiro Kitano (Waseda University) on Japan's
development experience and official development assistance (ODA) to the People's Republic of China (PRC).
This session focused on good practices in water and sanitation investments that could be adopted by otherdeveloping member countries. The presentation explained how sanitation investments, particularly thosesuch as the Gaobeidian wastewater treatment project, can effectively reach the poor and foster other positive
outcomes. Professor Kitano added that long-term foreign loans in the PRC had made way for institutional reforms
and corporate governance structures. Moreover, they help fund the acquisition of advanced equipment andtechnologies and the training of technical experts. As a result, the PRC's wastewater treatment rate has increased

195to over 95%, and now the PRC has the world's largest wastewater treatment capacity, with over 200 million
cubic meters per day. Event participants discussed challenges, solutions, and best practices in international aid,
policy reform, financing scheme implementation, and capacity building in their respective operations.
The second session was chaired by Dr Megumi Muto (JICA) and discussed accountability mechanisms,
institutional arrangements, and impact evaluation for CWIS. The three speakers in this session were Kazushi
Hashimoto (Japan Sanitation Consortium), Patrick Lester Ty (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System- MWSS), and Sujatha Srinivasan (Krea University). They discussed how accountability can be measured andwho should be held accountable for sanitation services delivery. They noted that there are many key players
in this area and that it is imperative to ensure an institution is accountable while simultaneously achieving
key performance indicators (KPIs). As an example, Ty raised an example of how MWSS could expand a served
population from 5.82 million people to 17.21 million people with an astonishing sanitation coverage from 1%
to 82%. Ty added that privatization played a big role in the MWSS case but emphasized the importance of clear
KPIs and business efficiency measures (BEMs) to ensure the quality and expansion of MWSS services to thepeople of Manila. The session stressed that upholding KPIs and BEMs are essential to close sanitation service
delivery gaps.
The last session was a policy dialogue in which participants discussed bottlenecks for boosting sanitation
investments and institutional strategies for accelerating sanitation investments. The policy dialogue followed aninteractive format, with an expert TV moderator (Mitzi Borromeo, former CNN host) anchoring the discussion.
ADBI Deputy Dean Seungju Baek opened the session and welcomed government participants. Professor Michael
Bennon of Stanford University's presentation called for a new development institution to address the many
barriers to increased sanitation investment where it is needed most. He referred to the new institution as the
Global Sanitation Finance Institution (GSFI) as a placeholder. He explained that the GSFI is designed with two
important conditions in mind: (1) It should be based on a clear appraisal of the challenges inherent in sanitation
sector investments; and (2) It should aim to help public sponsors develop projects with commercial or nonconcessional sponsors or service providers to align long-term incentives. Prof Bennon elaborated the purpose
and need for this new institution, and described its key functions, stakeholders, objectives, organization, andgovernance.
Active discussions were enriched by follow-up responses from senior representatives of development partners
such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). They showed interest
in Prof Bennon's proposed GSFI and recommendations to the Kumamoto Asia Pacific Water Summit. Thesedevelopment partners noted that they would encourage collaboration with all stakeholders in-line with the Asia
Pacific Water Forum's mission to build capacity and enhance cooperation while boosting investment at theregional level and beyond. Additionally, these development partners showed interest in in the establishment of
the GSFI to help public sponsors develop projects with commercial or non-concessional sponsors to align longterm incentives.
Key Messages from the Event

The key messages from the policy dialogue include a proposal for a new development institution to address themany barriers to increased sanitation investment where it is needed most. The new institution is referred to as the
Global Sanitation Finance Institution (GSFI) in the Policy Note, as a placeholder. The GSFI is designed with two
important conditions:196

• It should be based on a clear appraisal of the challenges inherent in investments in the sanitation sector; and• It should aim to help public sponsors develop projects with commercial or non-concessional sponsors orservice providers to align long-term incentives
The Policy Note includes the purpose and need for this new institution, and describes its key functions,stakeholders, objectives, organization, and governance. The Policy Note is intended to serve as a starting point
for a broader discussion of institutional solutions to address remaining global sanitation needs.
Associated development partners mentioned that they would encourage collaboration with all stakeholders
in-line with Asia Pacific Water Forum's mission to build capacity and enhance cooperation while boosting
investment at the regional level and beyond. Additionally, the development partners showed interest in theestablishment of the GSFI proposed by Stanford University Prof Michael Bennon to help public sponsors develop
projects with commercial or non-concessional sponsors to align long-term incentives.

197

6. World Heritage Irrigation Structures Summit in Kumamoto
Name of the Main Organizer

World Heritage Irrigation Structures Summit in Kumamoto Executive Committee
Time and Date

11ｰ12 April, 2022
Venue

KUMAMOTO-JO HALL Civic Hall and others
Facilitators●Keynote speech

Speaker ： Prof. Yohei Sato（Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo/Former Chairman of the ICID Japan National
Committee）●Panel discussion

coordinator:
Mr. Yuji Oka (Representative Director of Moyai Works Co., Ltd.)Dr. Takehide Hama (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University)
Presenters

Panelists:
Dr. Naoto Tanaka (Associate Professor, Kumamoto Innovative Development Organization, Kumamoto University)
Mr. Masaaki Watanabe (Director of Rural Development Bureau, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department,
Kumamoto Prefecture)
Ms. Misuzu Shimoda (Farmer/Yamato Town Regional Revitalization Advisor)
Mr. Jason Morgan (Shirakawa Banks CEO)High school students belonging to Youth Water Forum Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture
Number of local participants

205 participants
Related Side Event Overview

Irrigation structures are an important regional resource that supports the productivity and multi-functionality ofagriculture. They supply water essential for agricultural production to agricultural land, contribute to the region's
water cycle, and form a good rural landscape.
It is an extremely important issue to re-evaluate the value of irrigation structures, which are treasures of theregion, and conservation activities that have been carried out for many years, and to convey them to future
generations in good condition. All over the world, efforts for the conservation and utilization of irrigation
structures are being actively implemented, including active registration in the "World Heritage Irrigation
Structures" that are promoted by ICID.
From this kind of circumstance, we will hold the "World Heritage Irrigation Structure Summit in Kumamoto" toimprove the momentum for promoting the sustainable conservation and utilization of irrigation structures.

198

Key Messages from the Event

Declaration● We would like to express our respect and gratitude for the fact that irrigation facilities in Japan have been

built with the wisdom and extraordinary efforts of our predecessors, maintained and managed by the tirelessactivities of residents, mainly farmers, management organizations, and have been handed down fromgeneration to generation until the present day.
● We recognize that irrigation facilities are important local resources that have supported local society, culture,and the affluent lives of residents, as they provide farmland with water that is indispensable for agricultural
production and serve as a foundation for the multi-functionality of agriculture.
● As the ideal way of water use is being discussed worldwide, we will reevaluate the sustainable form of water

use that balances advanced water use and groundwater recharge, which is achieved through Japan's irrigation
technologies and facilities and the irrigated agriculture based on them, and disseminate its significance andvalue widely both domestically and internationally.
● As people involved with world-class irrigation facilities, while looking to the future together with those

who will lead the next generation, and through an exchange, cooperation, and mutual study with relevantorganizations, we will reaffirm the diversity and uniqueness of the facilities and actively promote initiatives
for the sustainable conservation and utilization of irrigation facilities, including examinations from multiple
perspectives.

Keynote speech

Panel discussion

199

7. Kumamoto Junior Chamber Youth Forum
Name of the Main Organizer

Kumamoto Junior Chamber
Name of Co-organizer

Tanaka Xun
Time and Date

23 April, 2022
Venue

Castle Kumamoto JCI Secretariat (hybrid)
Facilitator

Tanaka Xun
Presenters

Tanaka Xun
Number of local participants

20
Number of online participants

100
Related Side Event Overview

International Youth Forum
Key Messages from the Event

Participating in the international conference this time allowed me to think about environmental issues anew. I
think it is necessary to continue to provide this opportunity to members of the younger generation, as they do notoften have the opportunity to learn about issues overseas.

200

8. Special Performance "Kumamoto Meisui Monogatari(Kumamoto's Famous Water Story)"
Name of the Main Organizer

Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza
Time and Date

23-24, April, 2022
Venue

Sakuranobaba Josaien Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza
Number of local participants

April 23(SAT) ： 65

April 24(SUN) ： 92

Related Side Event Overview

We offer the short play which introduces some beautiful water spots in Kumamoto. We hope you all enjoy thisexclusive live show in Wakuwakuza.
Key Messages from the Event

Through the skit, we want visitors to learn about Kumamoto's water attractions and actually visit them to deepen
their understanding of "Kumamoto's water".

201

9. Shirakawa Night Market
Name of the Main Organizer

Shirakawa Midori no Kukan Park Promotion Council
Time and Date

23 April, 2022, 16:00-22:00 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Shirakawa Midori no Kukan Park (1-5-6 Shinyashiki, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Number of local participants

480
Related Side Event Overview

The Shirakawa Night Market is a part of the Mizbering Project, the aim of which is to better utilize water-adjacentland. This night market brings together ordinary citizens, businesses, and local government and is held by the
Shirakawa Midori no Kukan Park Promotion Council, which aims to invigorate the local area through use ofMidori no Kukan Park.
Key Messages from the Event

Flags promoting the collaboration with the Water Summit were set up at the venue.

20210. Publicness of Water～Groundwater as a common and Chemical pollution～
Name of the Main Organizer

General incorporated foundation Zensuidokaikan Water information center
Time and Date

24 April, 2022, 9:30-11:30 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Kumamoto Prefectural Citizens Exchange Center Parea
Facilitator

Takafumi Tsujitani
Presenters

Takenori Ueda
Number of local participants

26
Number of online participants

4
Related Side Event Overview

This event consists of two parts. In the first part, The Bureau of Waterworks and Sewerage Kumamoto City will
give a report regarding the earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture in 2016, what they had worked on to recoverand the point of the groundwater management they learned from the disaster. In the second part, Mr. Takenori,
Ueda who is a chemical journalist will have a lecture about chemical pollution, mainly PFAS, which has spreadto various part of Japan over many years and whose adverse effects have come to recognized last few years. We
hold this event to let you know that our "water" is always next to danger.
Key Messages from the Event

Groundwater is vulnerable to external contamination such as chemical pollution, and once contaminated,
it becomes very difficult to remove it. It is natural to take measures to prevent contamination, but if it iscontaminated by any chance, it is important to investigate actively and find risks rather than covering it up.
Like the COVID-19, we must not be a society in which people who get sick because of chemical pollution areabandoned. It is important to make it a society that actively saves.

20311. School of Forest in Yoshimuta
Name of the Main Organizer

Specified non-profit corporation AikyoYoshimuta
Time and Date

1 May, 2022
Venue

Yoshimuta water source,Yoshimuta national forest
Facilitator

Katsunari Takamatsu
Presenter

Hidekazu Watanabe
Number of local participants

60
Related Side Event Overview

We departed from the Yoshimuta water source at the foot of Aso volcano, proceeded through the Yoshimuta
national forest, and headed for the forest of giant trees planted in the Edo period. In the forest, we held aworkshop to learn about forest and water, and had lunch with local wild plants dishes.
Key Messages from the Event

The Yoshimuta water source is produced by the Yoshimuta national forest, which is an artificial forest. It wasplanted about 200 years ago to create an irrigation canal so that rice could be cultivated in Yoshimuta. It stillbrings many blessings such as rice and vegetables to Yoshimuta.

204

12. The Youth Participation for 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit, and The next
development of "Practice and Inheritance"
Name of the Main Organizer

Kyushu University Umitsunagi
Time and Date

15 May, 2022, 14:00-16:00 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Kyushu University Nishijin Plaza
Facilitator

Satoko Seino
Presenters

Adviser JWF Representative Director Kotaro Takemura[Panelist]
Kyushu University Graduate School of Engineering Collaborative Researcher Yuri Mito
Nagasaki-Higashi hischool PlastiKUJIRA Sakiko Horikawa
Linden Hall school Hi school Maria Tuduiki
Kyushu University (Jonan hischool OB) Kazuhito Murohara
Nogata hischool Kyoji Koyama
Hita hischol Teacher Shuhei Higashi
Sanyo hischool Teacher Takashi Inoue
Nita primary school Teacher Hidefumi Hatashima
For The Next Generation Group Yukari Matsuura
mai PLA Shinta Mori
mai PLA Kota Miyazaki
Japan Water Agency Tokuyama Dam management office Hiroshi Noguchi
Number of local participants

20
Number of online participants

41
Related Side Event Overview

Lecture and panel discussion.
The theme of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit was "Practice and Inheritance". We felt it was important toraise awareness throughout society that youth play an important role in water issues. Youth from high school
and university students in Kyushu played a remarkable role in the youth activities, including video production,
discussions, youth breakout sessions, and the Youth Water Forum Kyushu booth, where they communicated andinteracted with each other. We held a preliminary debriefing session on this event.

205

We had a free discussion about what the high school students who participated in this event felt and what theywanted us to do and what we need to do in response.
Key Messages from the Event

We have a role to pass on the current water problems to the next generation. We had a free discussion, about
what the high school students who participated this time felt, what we wanted, and what we had to do.

206

13. UNEP-ILEC International Webinar-Taking a Major Step toward Mainstreaming LakesName of the Main Organizer

International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
Time and Date

18 May, 2022, 15:00-17:00 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Online (ZOOM）
Facilitator

ILEC Secretariat / Adelina Santos-Borja, a member of the ILEC Scientific Committee
Presenters

The Governor of Shiga Prefecture / ILEC President Dr.Kazuhiko Takemoto / Mr. Patrick M'Mayi, Science Division,
UNEP / Dr. Saparis Soedarjanto, Director of Planning and Supervision of Watershed Management, the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forestry Republic of Indonesia / Ms. Inge Retnowati, Director of Inland Waters and Mangrove
Rehabilitation, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Republic of Indonesia / Dr. Kotaro Kawamata, Director,
Water Environment Division, the Ministry of the Environment / Dr. Kenzo Hiroki, Professor at National Graduate
Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and the director of ILEC / Dr. Walter Rast, the chair of the ILEC Scientificcommittee / Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, the Vice President of ILEC
Number of online participants

135 participants from 20 countries
Related Side Event Overview

ILEC and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with relevant UN agencies,
national governments, and civic and industrial sectors, have been calling for action toward "Mainstreaming Lakes
and other Lentic Waters in the Global Water Agenda and SDGs".
Thanks to the efforts of all member countries and the concerned international organizations, including ILEC,
the draft resolution prepared by the Indonesian Government entitled "Sustainable Lake Management" wasunanimously adopted at the 5th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA5.2).
This International Webinar focused on sharing the overview of the resolution, seeking directions and challenges
in mainstreaming lakes, and building the momentum toward accelerating the joint national, regional, and theglobal action, welcoming the representatives from Indonesia government, Japanese government and UNEP etc.
Key Messages from the Event

The need for a clear message that people, including those who are not familiar with lakes, and especially policy
makers, can understand and accept the importance of lakes. (The role of lakes in mitigating the effects of climatechange and natural disasters, which is one of their coordinating functions; the establishment of World Lake Day
at the UN General Assembly as a symbolic initiative; and the dissemination of activities to mainstream lakes in207global water agenda using water-related conferences and forums.)
The importance and potential of the role of lake basin stakeholders, especially local residents. (As examples, theBasic Act on Water Cycle and other water-related laws in Japan, and efforts by Shiga Prefecture)20814. Symposium on Grasslands and Water of Aso"Is there a close connection between Water in Kumamoto and
The Grasslands of Aso?"Name of the Main Organizer

Aso Grassland Restoration Committee
Time and Date

21 May, 2022, 13:30-16:00 (Japan Local Time)
Venue

Kumamoto City Hall, Large Conference Room
Facilitator

Representative of Aso Grassland Restoration Committee, Yoshitaka Takahashi
Presenters

Distinguished Professor of Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Shimatani Yukihiro/Mayor of Aso-city, Sato
Yoshioki/Representative of Bokuya Kumiai/Representative of Noyaki (Controlled burning) Volunteers/
Number of local participants

45
Number of online participants

39
Related Side Event Overview･ Raise awareness among residents in downstream areas about how they benefit from the groundwater recharge

properties of Aso Grasslands, with the aim of getting them involved in conservation efforts.
Showcase ongoing research into the graoundwater recharge properties of grasslands and the conservation
activities of the Aso Grassland Restoration Committee.
･ Panel discussion by water resource researchers, local governments and other organizations involved in grassland

restoration, as well as organizations based in downstream areas which are beneficiaries of the Aso water system.
Key Messages from the Event・ Wealthy grasslands of Aso-Kuju National Park is popular as tourist spot. In addition to that, it has various

functions like agricultural land, home to rare creatures, carbon fixation and groundwater recharge.
・ On the other hand, the grasslands are declining because of a lack of supporters of operation and maintenancelike NOYAKI(controlled burn) and reduction of cattle grazing.
・ With focusing on groundwater recharge,

from the view of the" Connectionof grasslands of Aso and water inKumamoto", it is necessary to do action
for protection grasslands with people indownstream of Aso.
209

Message from Diet Members Elected from Kumamoto Prefecture
As Diet members elected from Kumamoto Prefecture, we are delighted that the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit
will be held in Kumamoto on April 23-24, 2022, and welcome participants from the Asia-Pacific region.
Water sustains our daily lives at home. It supports economic activity in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, industry,and energy. And it shapes people's identities in terms of culture, traditions, and arts. Water is the source of life.
However, in altered forms it also creates threats such as floods and droughts. Our relationship with water is avital issue for the Asia-Pacific region. Water issues not only relate to the water and sanitation goal of the SDGs,
but are also closely intertwined with poverty, public health, gender, land and marine resources, peace, cities,
and climate change. Water issues are wide-ranging and profound. Solving them is no easy matter. All around theworld, the complexity of water issues tends to paralyze governments, companies, and citizens.
The inaugural Asia-Pacific Water Summit was held in Oita, Kyushu 15 years ago, prompted by Japan's assertion
that strong leadership is essential to resolving water issues. Solutions to such issues require consensus-building
to overcome administrative barriers, share water among industries, and safeguard regions against floods anddroughts. Firm leadership is needed to achieve this.
As Kumamoto prepares to host the 4th Asia - Pacific Water Summit, Diet members elected from Kumamoto
Prefecture have joined in recognizing and affirming the need for leadership to resolve water issues. The 1s t Asia
- Pacific Water Summit was held in Oita, Kyushu, the 2nd in Thailand, the 3rd in Myanmar, and the 4th returns
to Kyushu in Kumamoto. Geographically, Kyus hu is a gateway to the Asia - Pacific. Historically, Kyushu has
developed hand-in-hand with the people of the Asia-Pacific.
As Diet members elected from Kumamoto Prefecture, we declare this message to the Asia-Pacific and the entire
world in the hope that Kyushu will become a hub for water information, technology, and culture for the people of
the Asia-Pacific.
April 18, 2022
First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives

Minoru Kihara, Member of the House of Representatives (Kumamoto 1st District)Daisuke Nishino, Member of the House of Representatives (Kumamoto 2nd District)
Tetsushi Sakamoto, Member of the House of Representatives (Kumamoto 3rd District)
Yasushi Kaneko, Member of the House of Representatives (Kumamoto 4th District)
Yoshifumi Matsumura, Member of the House of Councillors
Seishi Baba, Member of the House of Councillors

210

Organizational Structure of the 4th APWS
Co-organizers
・ Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) (Secretariat: Japan Water Forum)
・ Kumamoto City

* Cooperation of the Government of Japan to conduct the necessary cooperation under the cabinet approval byministers concerned to implement the 4th APWS

International Organizations, etc., who cooperate with the APWF activities (co-host)・ Asian Development Bank (ADB)・ United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
・ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
・ The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
・ United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT)・ Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS)
・ Global Water Partnership (GWP)・ GWP China
・ GWP CACENA・ GWP South Asia
・ GWP Southeast Asia
・ High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP)・ International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHARM)
・ International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)・ International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia
・ International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
・ International WaterCentre (IWC)・ Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
・ Japan Sanitation Consortium (JSC)・ Japan Water Agency (JWA)・ Korea Water Forum (KWF)・ PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency (PUB)・ Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC)
・ World Toilet Organization
・ Water Stewardship Asia Pacific・ European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Representative Office Japan・ Freshwater Action Partnership for South Asia
・ Global Water Institute, University of NSW, Australia
・ WaterEd Australia
・ Water Integrity Network (WIN)・ United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)
・ Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)211

Sponsors and Supporting Organizations
Sponsors
DiamondBronzeThe Higo Bank, Ltd.

ASANUMA CORPORATION
Dai Nippon Construction

Platinum

ECOH CORPORATIONHICOM WATER

Fujita Corporation

Hirata Corporation

HASHIMOTO SOGYO CO., LTD.

KAJIMA CORPORATION

HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION

Obayashi Corporation

Hitachi Zosen Corporation

PENTA-OCEAN CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

IWATA CHIZAKI Inc.

SEARS SC General Incorporated Association

Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering andTechnology

SHIMIZU CORPORATIONTaisei Corporation

Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd.
MAEDA CORPORATIONGold
KM Biologics Co., Ltd.
OYO Corporation
Sakurajyuji Group
Takenaka Civil Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd.
SATO KOGYO CO., LTD.
SUMITOMO MITSUI CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
TEKKEN CORPORATIONTOA CORPORATIONTOBISHIMA CORPORATION

Silver
JFE Engineering Corporation

TOKYU CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
TOYO CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

Okumura Corporation

Wood
Dia Consultants Company Limited
IHI Infrastructure Systems Co., Ltd.
Japan Bridge Engineering Center
Japan Plumbing Heating and Airconditioning
Constructor's Association
Kawasaki Geological Engineering Co., Ltd.
KISO-JIBAN CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.
KYOWA CONCRET INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
Land and Water Group Holdings Corporation
The Japan Plumbing, Sanitary Trade Association

Collaborators
TBM Co., Ltd.
212

Supporting Organizations
Japan Institute of Country-ology and Engineering

CHUO FUKKEN CONSULTANTS CO.,LTD.

Foundation of River & basin Integrated
Communications

MITSUI CONSULTANTS CO.,LTD

Japan Dam Engineering Center

Nakanihon Engineering Consultants Co.,Ltd.

The River Foundation

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ECO-TECHNOLOGYCONSULTANTS Co.,Ltd.

RIVER CENTER of HOKKAIDOFUKUYAMA CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

Japan Construction Information Center

Chiyoda Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd.

Water Resources Environment Center

YONDEN CONSULTANTS co.,Inc

Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.

Fukken Gijyutsu Consultants Co.,Ltd.

Oriental Consultants Co., LTD.

Fukken Engineering Co., Ltd.

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

Dainichi Consultant Inc.

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Chuo Kaihatsu Corporation

Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

KATAHIRA & ENGINEERS INC.

Nihon Suido Consultants Co., Ltd.

Japan Port Consultants, Ltd. (JPC)

Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc.

NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING

Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Shikoku Construction Consultants Co.,Ltd

CHODAI CO., LTD.

kaihatsugiken inc.

IDEA Consultants, Inc.

Japan Bridge & Structure Institute, Inc.

NEWJEC Inc.

SHINWA ENGINEERING CONSULTANT Co.,LtdNIPPON ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

West Japan Engineering Consultants, Inc.

Docon

Association for Rainwater Storage and Infiltration
Technology

Central Consultant Inc.
TOKEN C.E.E. Consultants Co.,Ltd.
FUKKENCO.,LTD.

Totetsu Mfg. Co.,Ltd.
Listed in no particular order.

Other donations were received from individuals.
We sincerely thank all of the donors.

In cooperation with Japan National Tourism Organization

213

Co-organizers of
the 4th Asia-Paciﬁc Water Summit