UNESCAP has been implementing the joint regional cooperation programme between FAO and UNESCAP aiming at assisting developing countries in the region to develop strategic approaches to integrated water resources management.  Under Phase 2 of this programme, which was started in 2002 to focus on three least-developed countries in South-East Asia, UNESCAP has organized two national roundtable workshops for the Lao PDR and Cambodia in December 2002 and January 2003 respectively.  The two-day workshop in Vientiane, Lao PDR was attended by 32 participants from various the Lao Government agencies, while in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 39 participants from various water-related agencies of Cambodia took part in the two-day workshop.  On the basis of the background papers prepared by the respective national teams of experts, the participants were divided into four groups focusing on four themes: (a) Water for poverty reduction and rural development, (b) Water for nature and economic development, (c) Pilot river basin management, and (d) Framework to turn national water vision into reality.  On the basis of the discussion of the results of the working groups, various recommendations were identified and incorporated into the revised version of the country case studies.  The overall results of these workshops highlighted the following strategic elements for a systematic implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM):

(1)                All representatives of line ministries and related agencies recognized the importance of national water vision as a guiding light for IWRM of all sectoral activities as well as all levels of water resources management.  It was also recognized that the enhancement of awareness and acceptance of the national water vision would facilitate coordination of activities among the sectors and at all levels.

(2)                All representatives of line ministries and related agencies recognized  the need to have a key agency responsible for the implementation and realization of the national water vision, particularly the establishment of an effective framework for turning the vision into reality, such as water law, policies, regulations, and mobilization of resources and participation of key stakeholders in the management of water resources of the country.

(3)                The participants recognized the importance of successful implementation of the national water vision in different sectors and for different priorities of national development process. The participants could identify indicators and targets as well as expected roles of the key coordinating agency in facilitating the achievements of the proposed targets. 

(4)                The above findings raised a number of challenges to the key agency in the respective countries to meet the specific expectations towards national development process in its leadership role in the water sector, especially with respect to the mobilization and allocation of financial resources to the water sector.  These challenges would need to be included in the strategy and programme of work of such a coordinating agency.  The participants therefore expected continuation of support of UNESCAP and FAO as well as other international organizations in these tasks to assist these LDCs in their efforts to meet the target of the Action Plan of WSSD.

            The above recommendations are being examined in the context of ongoing efforts of UNESCAP to assist developing countries in the region to meet the Millennium Development Goals and to implement the Action Plan of WSSD.

            In addition to the above two national workshops, a mission was sent to Yangon in February to discuss preparatory work to assist Myanmar in the formulation of the national water vision to action. The workshop for Myanmar is now tentatively scheduled for May 2003.