The Subregional Workshop for South-East Asia on the Promotion of Public Awareness of Water Conservation was held in Makiling Highlands Resort, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, from 10 to 12 December 2002.  The Workshop was co-organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Philippines, with financial assistance from the Government of Japan.

The Workshop was attended by 31 participants nominated by the Governments of the following members of UNESCAP: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia,  Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.  The resource persons from Japan, Philippines and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland participated.

The objectives of the Workshop are:

• To strengthen national capabilities of the participating countries in the formulation and implementation of awareness programmes, campaigns and activities on water conservation; 

• To catalyze preparatory activities for the International Year of Freshwater, 2003, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly; 

• To enhance international cooperation in the promotion of public awareness of water conservation through the exchange of experiences in organizing and implementing relevant information/education activities.

The Workshop recommended to undertake the following actions:

2. Incorporate water conservation needs into programmes and activities for integrated water resources development, management and planning;

3. Adopt comprehensive water conservation policies, plans, and strategies that should be based on the use of institutional, legal and financial instruments, economic incentives, as well as application of water saving technologies and promotion of water conservation awareness;

4. Create regulatory and operational mechanisms to support and implement integrated river basin management;

5. Provide technical assistance for the promotion of water conservation by sponsoring training and research for new water efficient technology and publicizing water use efficiency requirements and opportunities;

6. Request UNESCAP and other international organizations to consider the possibility of establishing a regional network to promote exchange of information, experience and technology for various aspects of water conservation.
   
   It was agreed that the participating countries should formulate, adopt and implement measures for enhancing the national capacities for the promotion of public awareness of water conservation in line with the following recommendations:
   

1. Enhance capacity-building and coordination among all the government agencies, private sector entities and NGOs involved in raising awareness of water conservation awareness; also identify, if required, an  appropriate lead agency;

2. Within the overall framework of integrated water resources management, formulate and implement, as required, a national policy for water conservation which would include, inter alia, provisions for carrying out public awareness and education campaigns for rational water use, rehabilitation and protection of water resources;

3. Use the occasion of commemorating the International Year of Freshwater 2003 to raise awareness of water issues at all levels for mobilizing public support for policies and programmes related to water resources development and management as well for specific water projects;

4. Encourage Governments at all levels and water utilities to provide funds to implement water conservation awareness programmes and plans.

5. Develop and adopt school education materials that could be used nation-wide.

6. Refer to UNESCAP Guidebook “Water Conservation: A Guide to Promoting Public Awareness” for the formulation and implementation of water conservation promotion programmes at the national and local levels.