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[ Outline of APWS3 ]
The Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) targets top-level policy and decision makers, such as heads of national governments in the region. The primary objective of APWS is to create opportunity for the political leaders of the region to set out a course for the sustainable development with a perspective on water and share concrete actions, solutions and innovation. APWS has been organized by the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF). The first APWS was held in Beppu, Japan, in 2007, and the second in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2013.
The third APWS (APWS3) took place for two days from December 11 to 12, 2017, in Yangon, Myanmar. At the opening plenary on the morning of December 11, H. E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, made the opening and welcoming remarks, which was followed by the keynote address by the heads and ministers of the state and governments. Among others, H. E. U Henry Van Thio, Vice-President of Myanmar, introduced the “Platform on water and disasters”, which ICHARM is elaborating with the relevant organizations of Myanmar as a part of the International Flood Initiative (IFI).
From the afternoon of December 11 until the morning of December 12, ten (10) parallel thematic sessions were held, in which a thematic session of “Water and Disasters in the Context of Climate Change - From the Mountains to the Islands –” was held on the afternoon of December 11 co-organized by ICHARM, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP).
On the afternoon of December 12, at the “Leaders Statement toward Water Security for Sustainable Development”, the representatives from the countries and organizations delivered a speech including Prof. Koike, Director of ICHARM.
[ Outline of the session ]
Asia-Pacific countries are closely related through water and its many phenomena. Water supports Asia-Pacific lives, economies and ecosystems. Water also brings hazards such as floods and drought, which are exacerbated by climate change from our mountains through to our coasts and small islands. The commonality and inter-connection of water issues in the Asia-Pacific region necessitates a holistic approach from the region’s mountains to its islands.
In this regard, this session was a unique platform for high-level leaders and the representatives of Asia-Pacific States to meet together to discuss water-related disaster and environmental risks intensified by climate change; explore common challenges and their solutions; and collaborate on the development of effective frameworks for action.
The session was composed of three (3) parts:
- Part 1, moderated by Dr. David Molden, the director general of ICIMOD, was keynote speeches from high-level leaders: H. E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, Senior Minister of the democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H. E. Mr. Keiichi Ishii, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, and H.E. Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Vice Chair, National Planning Commission of Nepal.
In this part, it was recognized that the Asia-Pacific region, from the mountains to the islands, is highly vulnerable to disasters and has common water security concerns, and that floods and droughts are common hazards aggravated by climate change.
For such reasons, knowledge sharing, better preparedness, and capacity building at various levels are emphasized to be essential. An example from Japan’s experience on building a flood conscious society for risk reduction was introduced. It was stressed that partnerships are necessary for risk reduction along with financing and investment with public and private sector.
- Part 2, moderated by Ms. Rhonda Robinson, SPC, was country presentations on water and disasters in the context of climate change from seven (7) countries of the Asia-Pacific region: Myanmar, Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, and Tonga.
Through these presentations, the status, the directions and the key actions were identified with respect to water and disaster under various environmental, hydro-meteorological, geographical, and socio-economic conditions. Particularly evident was the commonality of climate and disaster issues between countries, the integrated evidence based solutions already being applied, and the clear scope for collaboration and sharing across our region.
- Part 3 was panel discussion, co-chaired by Dr. Kyaw Moe Oo, Director General of DMH, Myanmar, and Prof. Toshio Koike, Director, ICHARM, the co-chairs and five (5) panelists reflected the country presentations and highlighted the key issues based on their expertise.
The outcomes of this session were reported on the afternoon of December 12 along with those of the other sessions. Finally, the Yangon Declaration was adopted at the closing plenary.
Attached:
- Concept Note （ PDF）
- Agenda （PDF）
- Session Summary Slide （PDF）
(*) Link：Asia-Pacific Water Forum http://apwf.org/
3rd Asia-Pacific Water Summit http://apwf.org/summit/myanmar2017/
Opening and welcoming remarks by H. E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor, Myanmar |
Keynote Speech at the session by H. E. Mr. Keiichi Ishii, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan |
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Prof. Koike, Director, ICHARM, the co-chair, and the panelists of Part 3 |
Floor of the session |
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Prof. Koike, Director, ICHARM, addresses a speech at the Leaders Statement of the Plenary |
Session report by Dr. Ikeda, Chief Researcher, ICHARM |
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