Water Policy Updates
OVERVIEW |
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS & NGO CONCERNS |
ADB'S WATER LENDING
WATER CONFERENCE
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RELATED DOCUMENTS
ADB's Water Lending
In the period 1968-1999, ADB has implemented some 437 projects
in water subsectors, at a total financing of $15.7 billion.
About 18 percent of ADB's lending in the water sector has been invested in
irrigation and drainage, 28 percent in water supply and sanitation, 17
percent in hydropower, 4 percent in flood control, and the remaining 33
percent in multisector and other water projects.
Since ADB started lending
in water in 1968, an average of 18 percent of total Bank lending has been in
the water sector. Over the past five years (1997-2002), however, this share
decreased to 12 percent.
About 90 percent of ADB's investment in water supply and sanitation has been
for urban projects, with the remaining 10 percent directed to investments in
rural areas.
Private sector lending in the water sector started in 1999; ADB has already
provided three loans for water supply projects, for a total of $124 million
-- Chengdu in the People's Republic of China (PRC), Manila, and Ho Chi Minh
City (Viet Nam).
ADB's evaluation studies show 51 percent of water-related projects were
generally successful, but 11 percent were unsuccessful. Water loans have
largely focused on supply-side solutions rather than on water resource
issues that include water scarcity and water allocation among different
users.
To help implement the water policy, ADB established a multidonor Water
Sector Cooperation Fund that provides technical assistance grant funds to
promote awareness of critical water issues in the region and to support the
pilot demonstration of innovative approaches, including in water financing.
In 2002, the Asian Development Bank conducted a Study on Water in Asian
Cities under a regional technical assistance,for Promoting Effective Water
Management Policies and Practices. The main objective of the Study was to
increase awareness of stakeholders of the issues faced by the urban water
sector in developing member countries (DMCs) of ADB and provide policy
makers with better strategies to provide access to water for the urban poor.
Under the Study, a team of international and domestic consultants conducted
studies on the water situation in 21 Asian Cities (Bangkok, Colombo, Delhi,
Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Karachi, Katmandu, Kuala Lumpur,
Manila, Osaka, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Suva, Taipei,
Tashkent, Ulaan Baatar, and Vientiane).
ADB's contact person:
Wouter Lincklaen Arriens
wlincklaenarriens@adb.org