Lessons Learned from the Shandong Groundwater Protection Project in the People’s Republic of China

The Shandong Groundwater Protection Project in the People’s Republic of China yields several lessons. It shows that water sharing arrangements that enable cooperation among states with different systems and regulations are possible. The project also demonstrates that modernization and mechanization can help increase agricultural production, even if less amount of water is used.

Irrigated Agriculture Inclusive Development Project (Myanmar)

Myanmar’s water sector faced several challenges. It experienced excessive deforestation and destruction of the ecosystem, particularly in Barmah Forest. Its irrigation facilities have also deteriorated over time, and its canals and network system were incomplete and inefficient. This presentation shares how the country addressed these issues through the implementation of the Irrigated Agriculture Inclusive Development Project.

ADB-Australia Water Learning Week

The first ADB-Australia Water Learning Week was held in December 2016 as part of the Water Sector Group's continuous learning and development program. The week-long program brought together project teams -- ADB sector staff and DMC counterparts -- to gain knowledge and experience from each other and from experts and premier institutions across Australia. The week focused on the theme "Building Capacity for Water Scarcity in Irrigation." Six project teams from India. Indonesia, Myanmar, PRC, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam shared practical insights and learned best practices from the field.

Distinguished Water Leaders Series: Oyun Sanjaasuren

In this learning event, Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren presented the global and regional water risks and challenges we face today through 2030 and shared how they can be addressed through partnerships for water resource management at the country, regional, and global levels. She cited the the impact of Global Water Partnership (GWP) efforts from 1996 to 2016 and her own experience in forging water partnerships for water resource management in her own country, Mongolia, as illustrative examples. Dr.

Australia’s Water Reforms and how they Helped Build Resilience to Water Scarcity

Gary Jones, Australian Water Partnership’s chief executive, shared Australia’s experience in managing water scarcity and drought. He described the reforms the country implemented to improve supply and demand management while protecting the environment. He also highlighted the role partnerships play in these reforms.

2nd Asian Irrigation Forum

The Asian Development Bank responded to regional irrigation needs by hosting the first Asian Irrigation Forum in 2012. The forum brought together stakeholders to share knowledge, best practices, and technological advancements; and identified future investment opportunities. However, irrigation in Asia still faces limited resources, outdated system designs, institutional inefficiencies, and weak governance. There is also a need for more intricate understanding of the changing rural economy and for more novel and impactful solutions.

Santosh Nepal

Dr Nepal has been working with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Nepal as a Researcher – Water Resources and Climate Change since March 2022. He is responsible for leading and managing applied research on water resources, water-energy- food-environment (WEFE) nexus, and climate change in the Himalayan region, including Nepal, Southeast, and South Asia.