On 2-4 October 2018, the Asian Development Bank is hosting Asia Water Forum 2018 in Manila, Philippines.
Background
While the Asia-Pacific region has experienced rapid economic growth over the past three decades, enormous challenges remain. The region is home to half of the world’s poorest people and is facing rapid urbanization with about 22 megacities by 2030 and a population of 5.2 billion by 2050. Consequently, water demand is projected to increase by about 55% due to growing demand from domestic and industrial sectors. The agriculture sector will need to produce much more food for the growing population, thus also competing for diminishing water resources. Recent estimates indicate up to 3.4 billion people could be living in water-stressed areas of Asia by 2050. The region’s water resources will be under enormous pressure—which will be exacerbated with increasing climate variability and possible further degradation of water quality.
ADB’s response to the growing water crisis is stated in the ADB Water Operational Plan 2011-2020. It specifies a range of solutions available to developing member countries to address water challenges in the region, including the need to embrace new technologies and innovations to improve the effectiveness of water investments. Technology can help address water insecurity, promote economic growth, advance progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen adaptation to climate change and increase disaster risk resilience.
In addition to infrastructure investments and technical assistance, ADB also seeks to enhance the awareness and capacities of sector practitioners through knowledge sharing events such as the Asia Water Forum 2018 (AWF 2018).
Objectives
The magnitude of the challenge to water means there is need to embrace change and to actively seek out new and better ways to tackle short and medium-term issues. Fortunately, there is scope to be innovative in water policy, in water governance, in technical processes, in financing, in applying technology and in information systems to deliver service benefits and water security to urban and rural dwellers, industry, commerce and farmers. Already there are public and private sector organizations that offer or are early adopters of new technologies, leaders in the provision of urban, rural water and sanitation services, experts in securing water quality and smarter users of water for energy and food. There is need to learn from them.
The AWF 2018 provides a platform and venue for sharing knowledge and experience on water information, innovation, and technology across the region. AWF 2018 aims to discuss ways to identify and adopt innovations that best address the requirements for a water-secure Asia Pacific region, and to keep the profile of water high on the region’s development agenda. The increased knowledge and application of international best practices as well as continued development and use of information systems, remote sensing, enhanced control systems, and other advanced technology is expected to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of ADB-financed projects in developing member countries; thus improving the management of water, delivery of water services and status of water security across the region.