Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Summary of the 1st Asia-Netherlands
Water Learning Week
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Smart Choices for Water Security
and Green Growth
More than 30 water leaders from Asia visited the Netherlands from 22 to 26 October for the 1st Asia-
Netherlands Water Learning Week convened by UNESCO-IHE and the Asian Development Bank. The
group included several ministers, heads of agencies, as well as knowledge leaders from centers of
excellence.
Through a program of facilitated dialogues, the water leaders from Asia exchanged knowledge and
experience about smart choices with their counterparts in the Netherlands and explored further
innovation for water security and green growth.
They also engaged with more than 250 future water leaders from 70 countries around the world at
the start of the 2012-2014 MSc program at UNESCO-IHE.
Leveraging green infrastructure, building and financing public-private partnerships for infrastructure,
adapting delta cities to climate change, and modernizing water legislation were among the topics
attracting wide interest.
A large number of partners in the Netherlands supported the learning week, including 3 ministries,
the city of Rotterdam, the province of Zeeland, and the Netherlands Water Partnership. The initiative
forms part of the knowledge partnership between UNESCO-IHE and the Asian Development Bank
signed in November 2011, supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During their visit to the Netherlands, the water leaders from Asia initiated several follow-up activities
for capacity development and innovation, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Viet
Nam. These will be further developed through the knowledge partnership.
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UNESCO-IHE and ADB signed a partnership agreement in November 2011 to support water
operations in ADB’s Developing Member Countries (DMCs) by providing expert guidance during
project preparation and implementation, and on developing and implementing Education, Training
and Capacity, Development, to support Knowledge Networking programs and to strengthen regional
Knowledge Networking among (DMC) clients, partners, and Knowledge Hubs. The 1st Asia-
Netherlands Water Learning Week marks the beginning in enhancing this network.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Smart Choices Monday 22 October
Programme
Traversing history, present, and future hosted by UNESCO-IHE Learning Week objectives- Wouter Lincklaen Arriëns (ADB) The Netherlands and Water from an historic perspective- Jan Luijendijk (UNESCO-IHE) Smart Choices: water governance in the Netherlands- Bart Teeuwen (Institutional and legal expert water resources) Water and Green Growth in Korea- Tae-Sun Shin (K-water - Water and Green Growth Research) Leveraging green infrastructure for security hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Dutch National Policy - Renske Peters (Director Water of Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment) Delta Program - Bart Parmet (secretary Delta Commission) Water Rescources Development in Indonesia - Donny Azdan (Nat. Planning Agency) Greening Infrastructure Policies: Room for the River - Ingwer de Boer (Director Room for the River Program) Green growth: Water for Food and Ecosystems - Kees Slingerland (Wagening University)
Summary
To set the scene for the Asia Netherlands Learning Week, both the experiences and practices regarding water
security of the Netherlands and Asian countries were presented. Jan Luijendijk focused on the struggle of the
Netherlands to prevent floods and the change to a more integrated approach with the environment and public
space. In a long history with living with water, the Dutch had time to learn from their mistakes and gladly share
lessons learned. Mr Tae-Sun Shin described how the economic growth depended and depends on the available
water. Droughts have a detrimental effect on the economy. In Korea as well, the relation with water changed, from
merely as useful for the economy as a resource which needs care from an environmental perspective and which will
change through climate change.
In the afternoon, the debate at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment on Dutch policy ‘Room for the
Rivers’, the water board system, the Delta System and Indonesian experiences on water policies led to the
identification of two important challenges: (i) how to water policy makers can influence its stakeholders to effectively
and efficiently use water; and (ii) how to link water policy effectively to other policy areas such as infrastructure,
spatial planning and agriculture. Water should not only be an issue within the water sector but should be dealt with
in an integrated manner together with other sectors' issues.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Smart Choices The Room for the River-programme is attractive. The problems and challenges in the Netherlands have many similarities to those in India and it will be beneficial for the country to invest in a similar strategy. Principal Secretary S. C. Mahapatra, State Government of Orissa, India
Smart Choices The organisation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and
Environment is impressive. Usually the two sectors are
represented in separate ministries but in the Netherlands it
is combined into one agency. It is a good way for both
sectors to discuss risks and issues concerning infrastructure
and environment, and in the end find solutions for these
issues together.
Natsuko Totsuka, ADB
“Why is green infrastructure important for security and how can we
implement this in water management?”
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Leaders for Innovation Tuesday 23 October “How can you think outside of the box, taking into account the
special nature of water which influences so many aspects of human
life (water, energy, food nexus)?”
Summary
Current water leaders for innovation exchanged their knowledge, lessons learned and best practices with 250
students and new water leaders of UNESCO-IHE. Choices of governments of India, and Indonesia (represented by H.E.
Kirmanto – Minister of Public Works of Indonesia and H.E. Shah – member of the Planning Commission of the
government of India) regarding building resilience in rural and urban areas against climate change, were absorbed
and critically examined by the 250 students.
In the afternoon, the best and worse practices in climate proofing of the Delta city of Rotterdam and the experiences
regarding investments in resilience of Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam were the basis of the debate. H.E. Dao Xuan Hoc
provided insight in the choices available to Ho Chi Minh city regarding climate adaptation. The challenges of Delta
cities regarding climate proofing and in the mean time keeping a high level of liveability in the city made the need of
smart choices evident. H.E. Hoc restated that nowledge exchange on smart options and solutions is needed.
Arnoud Molenaar of the city of Rotterdam showed how climate proofing can go hand in hand with an improvement
of the liveability. Public participation and consultation are key in the development of policy.
Participants got the possibility to exchange thoughts with the Dutch private sector on a boat tour through the Port of
Rotterdam.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Programme
Generating momentum across sectors hosted by UNESCO-IHE
Developing a framework for Water Security
Wouter Lincklaen Arriëns (ADB)
Water-energy-food nexus in India
H.E. Mihir Shah, Member,
(Planning Commission, Government of India)
Meaning of the Nexus for Indonesia and the Importance of Leadership
for Change
H.E. Djoko Kirmanto (Minister of Public Works of Indonesia)
Adapting delta cities for climate change hosted by the City of Rotterdam Climate Adaptation- The Rotterdam Approach
Arnoud Molenaar
Adapting Delta Cities to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta in Viet
Nam
H.E. Dao Xuan Hoc, Vice- Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development
Smart Choices A big scale development is needed in Viet Nam and in order to do
this a good masterplan for flood protection must be developed.
Dr Dao Xuan Hoc, Vice Minister and Vice Chairman, National
Committee of Climate Change
Smart Choices Citizen’s action to conserve and protect the environment must be
promoted.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Member (Water Planning and Projects), Central
Water Commission, New Delhi, India
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Partner for Change Wednesday 24 October
“Who to link with, who to incorporate in policy making and
execution in water management?”
Projects on disaster risk management in Viet Nam and Bangladesh were
presented by Dr. Rien Dam and Mr. Dick van den Bergh, both from Deltares. In
order to build long term capability of the local citizens there must be an exchange
of technologies between the private sector provider and the local government
and citizens. Local knowledge can bring a richer perspective on the local situation.
Mr van den Bergh discussed the Regional Technical Assistance (RETA 7276 of
ADB) which supports the preparation and implementation of flood management
and investment projects through knowledge and capacity development services.
The Bangladesh project site included a series of stakeholder consultation and
feasibility analysis of various solutions before coming up with a smart decision
regarding the master plan and the integrated urban plan.
The session closed by noting that disaster risk management is best managed with an increased capacity and knowledge on the kinds of disasters and how to prepare for these disasters.
Morning session at Deltares
Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi of ICHARM stressed the term “localism” as a major
ingredient in the implementation process of their projects wherein they take into
account local diversity of natural, social, and cultural conditions. Furthermore,
disaster preparedness and physical planning is not only costly, but helps in
economic development. Local ownership of disaster risk management determines
the project success. This was supported by Mr. Tjitte Nauta (Deltares) who
stressed that integrated flood management is a driver to green growth and
people’s well-being and empowerment should be at the center of these efforts.
Good spatial planning is important and must be developed within an integrated
master plan and build consensus with the locals to promote local ownership of
flood forecasts and disaster risk management. He opined that governments and
private sector must work together to find a win-win solution.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Smart Choices Involvement of all sectors in developing and implementing a project will benefit all. The role of private sector in
providing infrastructure services through a PPP approach must be explored.
Prof. Tran Viet On, Vice Rector, Water Resources University, Viet Nam
Programme Managing disaster risks hosted by Deltares Flood risk management in Thailand -Tjitte Nauta (Deltares) Disaster risk management, local empowerment, and green growth - Kuniyoshi Takeuchi (Director ICHARM) Disaster risk management in Ho Chi Minh City - Rien Dam (Deltares) Supporting investments in water-related disaster management in Bangladesh - Dick van den Bergh (Deltares) Extending cities into the future hosted by the Rotterdam Port Authority Corporate Van Oord Presentation, Van Oord Green Cities: a Water Secure Future, Amy Leung (ADB) Treasury & Finance Presentation, Van Oord
Afternoon session at 2e Maasvlakte How to finance large scale projects? Representatives of Van Oord, the international dredging and offshore contractor, showed how their company approached the development of the 2nd Maasvlakte, a new part of the Harbor of Rotterdam. Amy Leung provided an insight in the vision of the Asian Development Bank on green cities. The Bank works on various projects among which is the development of the Citarum River Basin in Indonesia and the climate proofing of Ho Chi Minh city.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Increasing Water Security Thursday 25 October
“How can the government facilitate public private partnerships, and
enhance the effectiveness of projects?”
Smart Choices In order to be able to take and implement smart choices, the economic condition of a country is an important factor.
In case these smart choices are made, people feel safe. However, vigilance is always needed. In order to prevent a
false sense of saftey, awareness raising and building trust is important. Water professionals should stay alert.
K. L. L. Premanath, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Sri Lanka
Financing water security hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Financing and contracting of strategic infrastructure projects Water Development in Vietnam - Prof. Tran Viet On (Water Resources University) Sustainable extension – Rene van der Plas (Maasvlakte 2) PPP for Locks, Inland Waterways and Coastal Structures in the Netherlands – Koert Ruiken (Rijkswaterstaat) Securing our water future through innovation hosted by the Netherlands Water Partnership Securing the world’s water future – A Dutch perspective - Paul van Koppen (Netherlands Water Partnership) The role of innovation in IWRM and advanced technologies and tools, and the importance of a strategic approach - Hans van Leeuwen (NWP, Hydrologic)
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Summary
Climate Change adaptation is a big challenge and
addressing water related risks is necessary not only for
the safety and well-being of people but also to safeguard
the country’s economies. The cost of investing in
infrastructure to address disasters and adapt to climate
change will be cheaper in the long run. It is however
understood by all that the cost of investing in such
infrastructure cannot be met by many of the developing
countries. Such, the concept of public-private-
partnership (PPP) have come out very strong during the
discussion. PPP enables transference of risk from the
public to the private service provider. There is also a
transfer in knowledge and technology to the public
sector. Through PPP financing is mobilized and
implementation is expedited. With the Government-
corporate-society (GCS) partnership model the
involvement of the community and sustainability of the
project is ensured. Challenge posed to the participant is
to not only look into the private sector on how projects
can transform their water sector and address water
security. Corporatization is not all about the private
sector.
Summary
Prof. Tran Viet On, Vice Rector Water Resources
University, Viet Nam mentioned that there is a need for a
green growth strategy in Viet Nam in order to increase
the awareness of the people on the impacts of climate
change and disasters. He asserted the need to develop
and improve the institutions and to strengthen the role
of the state in managing green infrastructures, for
example through knowledge exchange. During the
plenary, the role of UNESCO-IHE in the learning week was
reiterated as the bridge between the Dutch experts and
the developing countries in need of capacity building
work in the water sector.
The day ended by encouraging all participants to
maintain contact with both their ADB project officers and
UNESCO-IHE in developing proposals for their DMCs.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Governing for Results Friday 26 October
“When you build a construction improving water safety, which
smart choices need to be made with regard to the environment,
sustainability and pppp (public, private, people - partnership)”
Smart Choices Capacity building is needed in managing the river. It also needs both technological advancement and financial
support.
Joint Secretary G.M. Saleh Uddin, Ministry of Water Resources Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka
Programme Making integrated solutions work together hosted by water authorities in the Province of Zeeland Sustainable Delta Development
Mr. Rein van der Kluit and Soer van Herk (Ministry of I&M/Rijkswaterstaat) Leo van der Brand and Tjeerd Blauw (Province of Zeeland
Nolle Westduin, a case of water security – Province of Zeeland and The Vlissingen Method Jeffrey Beenhouwer
Local Water Board "Scheldestromen" Presentation of RWS, Province and Water Board
Ton Mouton Making Smart Choices in Bangladesh
Mohammad Shahidur Rahman, Director General of WARPO, Bangladesh
Water Resources Sector in India S.C. Mahapatra, Principal Secretary of Department of Water Resources, Orissa
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Summary
The visit to the Province of Zeeland allowed the participants to appreciate the infrastructure developed by the Dutch
government to manage flood disasters. The Delta Project is a series of infrastructure projects in the southwest of the
Netherlands to protect the large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the sea and possible water
related disasters. The infrastructure consisted of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, levees and storm surge barriers to keep
water out of the land and to shorten the Dutch coastline. Over the years the Delta Project managed to lower the risk
of flooding in the Netherlands. However, experts have also found that due to changing sea levels the tidal flats have
diminished. With these lessons, experts have initiated studies on adaptive management of the delta and
comprehensive and integrated solutions developed together with various experts and stakeholders.
In the afternoon, the participants were given the opportunity to have a discussion with three levels of water
governance: The National Water Board (DG Rijkswaterstaat Zeeland of the Ministry of I&M), The Province of Zeeland
and the local Water Board. Zeeland Governor Karla Peijs recounted that the 1953 flood that happened in Zeeland
was etched in the memory of the citizens thus massive flood mitigating measures have been implemented and
strengthened. Governor Peijs asserted that while Zeeland is safe from flooding due to the structural measures that
have been done, she feels compelled to make the citizens understand that disasters can happen anytime. Disaster
preparedness should be well integrated into the psyche of the citizens. She left the message to the participants to
take home the knowledge learned from the Dutch experts and the Dutch experience and apply the lessons in their
respective countries. She further espoused the need for an integrated plan that does not only look at the structural
measures but also gives importance to the environment.
Making Smart Choices for
Water Security and
Green Growth Delft - The Netherlands
Smart Choices that most impressed
the Water Leaders from Asia Give room to the river to lower flood control costs. ~ Sunil Chandra Mahapatra
Cooperate across boundaries for basin-wide water resources management. ~ Bangladesh
participants
Take the initiative to prevent flooding after a disaster. ~ M. Hannan
Choose a delta-scale view on solutions for flood management. ~ H.E. D. Hoc
Room for the river. ~ C. Hukom
Live with water. ~ M. Rahman
Develop a sound legal framework about who does what. ~ B. Teeuwen
Engage public-private partnerships for water management. ~ T. On
Avoid a false sense of safety through public awareness. ~ Z.Tun
Choose own solution – there is no one-size-fits-all. ~ G. Khachatryan
Room for the river. ~ C. Llorens
Knowledge and capacity to reclaim land for sustainable development. ~ R. Sarma
Listen, choose, and act on opportunity. ~ W. Lincklaen Arriens
Manage water data in the public domain (and Manage rivers for conservation and urban
development). ~ R. Kumar
Technology and finance for wise river basin management. ~ G. Saleh Uddin
Use knowledge and assistance from Netherlands and ADB. ~ M. Nuruzzaman
Combine infrastructure and environment in one ministry. ~ N. Totsuka
Government need to listen and be responsive to citizens’ needs. ~ O. Siddiqua Khanam
Combine structural measures with environmental and social dimensions. ~ A. Esteban
Create two-way traffic in knowledge sharing between partners. ~ J. Luijendijk
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