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Stockholm World Water Week 2024 Session outcomes report “Himalayas Rivers: Enhancing Transboundary Cooperation and Financing for long term resilience”

Date: 2024-10-4

Stockholm 2024 Asia-Pacific Focus Session

28 August (Wed) 9:00-10:30 CEST
Co-Conveners: APWF, ADB, ICIMOD, IUCN, IWMI

Session Overview

Himalayan rivers are vital for the region’s water security, livelihood, and biodiversity. Enhancing transboundary cooperation and securing sustainable financing are essential for building long-term resilience against climate change impacts. This session’s initiative aimed to foster collaboration and mobilize investment to protect and manage these critical water resources for future generations.

This session discussed priority areas and strategies for promoting transboundary cooperation for climate and nature financing to manage the water cycle for community resilience, sharing the experiences. We then highlighted opportunities for reshaping Himalayan water institutional architecture for peace, resilience, and inclusive development.

Firstly, Dr Pema Gyamtso, Director General, ICIMOD, delivered his keynote presentation entitled” Himalayan Rivers in Crisis Need for Urgent Actions”

The rivers of the Himalayan region are facing a severe crisis due to rapid climate change, resulting in increased melting of glaciers, unpredictable weather patterns, and too much and too little water extreme events like floods, droughts, and Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This highly populated region, which spans eight countries and supports nearly 2 billion people, is experiencing too much and too little water, leading to widespread disasters. A three-fold increase in GLOF risk across HKH is projected by the end of the 21st century. High Mountain Asia populations are the most exposed to GLOF risks as they live closest to glacial lakes. Approximately 1 million people live within 10 km of a glacial lake. Immediate and coordinated action is needed at local, national, and transboundary levels to address these climate-related challenges. Actions need to be taken at local, national, regional, and global levels emphasizing information, innovation, investment, and institutions, and for all these, regional cooperation is a must.

Panel Discussion

In a panel discussion, 4 onsite speakers and 1 online speaker delivered their points in accordance with the questions.

Firstly, Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director Water-Food and Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Pakistan, addressed the complexities of transboundary cooperation in the Himalayan region, emphasizing the need for a systems approach that integrates water, food, ecosystems, and energy. He highlighted CGIAR’s Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus initiative, which spans South Asian countries like Pakistan, Nepal, and India, aiming to break down silos and achieve multiple benefits across these sectors. Dr. Mohsin stressed the importance of developing innovative tools for trade-off modeling in hydrology and economics and fostering communities of practice involving government, industry, and academia. He shared collaborative efforts between India and Nepal in the Ganges Basin as an example of addressing upstream and downstream synergies.

Secondly, Ms. Maria Carreno LINDELIEN, Water Governance Officer, Water and Wetlands, IUCN Gland (HQ) responded to the questions “What are the key challenges and opportunities in mobilizing stakeholder consensus and resources for cooperative governance of shared river basins in the HKH region? , and How can institutions like IUCN facilitate this process?”

She emphasized mobilizing stakeholders for decision-making is essential for effective cooperation and trust-building across various levels. Key strategies include:

Since 2011, IUCN has supported similar processes through our Building River Dialogues and Governance Bridge Program in over 20 basins globally. In conclusion, mobilizing stakeholder consensus and resources for cooperative governance in shared basins requires a multifaceted approach. This includes de-politicizing discussions, focusing on benefit sharing, nature-based solutions, and public incentives to build trust and long-term resilience, particularly in the Himalayas.

Mr. Lance William Gore, Principal Water Resources Specialist, ADB, responded to the question, “What role can ADB and other IFIs play in supporting Himalayan Countries to strengthen Himalayan countries to strengthen their river basin’s resilience?

He emphasized the global significance of the Himalayan region’s river basins, crucial for the livelihoods of 2 billion people and significant portions of the global economy. He highlights the critical role those international financial institutions (IFIs), like the ADB, play in supporting Himalayan countries by working with governments and knowledge institutions to address water security challenges.

ADB has historically been reactive, responding to countries’ needs through water projects, flood management, and irrigation while assessing climate and disaster risks. However, ADB is shifting towards a more proactive approach, exemplified by the “Building Adaptation Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya” initiative. This initiative focuses on climate and disaster risk assessments, particularly for floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, and earthquakes, to inform investment decisions in hydropower, river protection, and irrigation.

He also discussed the long-term challenges of water security, particularly the impact of decreasing glacial meltwater on food production in major river basins like the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. He stressed the importance of understanding the economic impacts of these changes, including potential knock-on effects on trade, climate refugees, and increasing salinity in delta regions.

In conclusion, he emphasized that ADB aims to collaborate with partners to develop scientific evidence and engage in discussions with countries to implement interventions that strengthen the resilience of Himalayan river basins.

Dr. Kapil Gnawali, Senior Divisional Engineer of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Government of Nepal responded to the question “What are the main climate risks to the water and energy sector in Nepal, and role of regional cooperation and financing in addressing these?”

He highlighted the severe climate risks facing Nepal’s water and energy sectors due to rising temperatures in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Key issues include:

The transboundary nature of rivers and glaciers necessitates an integrated approach to Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change adaptation (CCA). Regional cooperation is crucial, as issues like GLOFs and landslides in one country can affect neighboring regions. He proposed creating river basin organizations for improved cooperation, data sharing, and joint water and energy management. In addition, expanding regional energy trade, such as hydropower exports, could enhance collaboration. He concluded by emphasizing the need for regional partnerships to tackle these climate risks effectively.

Fourthly, AP Dimri, the director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism and a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy. India, who joined the session online, responded, “How can scientific collaboration help enhance transboundary collaboration in the geography you are working in?”

He emphasized the crucial role of scientific collaboration in improving transboundary cooperation in the Himalayas, particularly in the face of increasing disasters and climate change impacts such as drying upper elevations, shifting vegetation, and changing agricultural patterns. He stressed the need for disaster risk reduction and community resilience while highlighting data sharing challenges among Himalayan countries. He advocated for cross-boundary scientific exchanges and joint efforts with common methodologies to address environmental changes, including micro-meteorological shifts, climate-induced migration, and water-related issues. He called for a neutral platform to share both traditional and scientific knowledge, acknowledging ICIMOD’s role in facilitating data exchange and emphasizing the involvement of local communities in tackling climate challenges.

Question from the audience

Before we went to the 2nd round of questions, Dr. Giriraj Amarnatu, IWMI, onsite moderator, asked the questions from the audience, and the speakers responded to the questions.

Q1  We see significant energy and dynamism at the local level. How can we establish mechanisms to support and facilitate the bottom-up participation?”

Answers: Mr. Lance Gore, ADB
In border regions, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and practices related to river use and community interactions. ADB supports this through transboundary river initiatives and projects in these areas, aligning with partner governments’ priorities while also addressing cross-border concerns.

In South Asia, where borders are often seen as national issues, ADB balances respect for these boundaries with efforts in knowledge sharing, scientific collaboration, and raising awareness about upstream and downstream activities. ADB engages closely with local communities, particularly in the Terai region, through community-led and participatory projects focused on irrigation and flood risk protection. These initiatives often include community-based early warning systems and flood management programs, ensuring local voices and needs are central to their approach.

Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, IWMI
Comment on our work in Central Asia. In this region, there are over 200 tributaries connecting multiple countries. We focus on engaging Water User Associations to address both upstream and downstream demands, and we’re exploring ways to strengthen connectivity between communities on both sides at the local level. The lessons learned from these efforts can be shared to improve water management practices. For example, small hydropower plants have been installed upstream, and the energy generated is being utilized downstream in the surrounding areas. These are successful examples with significant potential. The valuable insights gained from these initiatives could be replicated in other regions, including South Asia, where there is great potential for fostering similar transboundary cooperation.

Q2 Transboundary issues are always challenging and complex. Even at the treaty level, these matters often remain contentious. As a result, few organizations actively engage in addressing them. Is there a strategy or plan among stakeholders to increase involvement in transboundary issues between or among countries? Specifically, is there an effort to bring more stakeholders within and outside the region to play a role in these challenges?

Answer: Dr. Kapli Gnawali Senior Divisional Engineer of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Government of Nepal
Effective transboundary cooperation requires the involvement of various actors, including third-party stakeholders. Key strategies include:

A cohesive approach, integrating these elements, can strengthen regional cooperation and address emerging challenges effectively.

Q3c: Are there any examples of what IUCN is doing regarding the NBS in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region?

Ms. Maria Carreno Lindelien responded that we have been organizing roundtables with civil society, women’s groups, and Indigenous populations to explore various methods of assessing benefit sharing. However, it remains challenging to identify the most effective approaches. We have been organizing roundtables with civil society, women’s groups, and Indigenous populations to explore various methods of assessing benefit sharing. This has been done in parallel to preparing studies giving the the data necessary for informed discussions on what alternatives for NBS would give the best outcomes in the basins where we have worked, and moving discussions towards the financial realization of these projects.

Dr Vishwaranjan Sinha, Programme Officer, IUCN Asia, summarized the questions from the audience from 3 points below.  

  1. Given India’s preference for bilateral agreements, is multiregional South Asian cooperation feasible? What role could South Asia regional cooperation play in this context?
  2. How do downstream countries manage uncertainties in water flow from upstream regions, and how does this affect their policy and planning?
  3. Are we fully leveraging geospatial data and tools for joint management and monitoring of the Himalayas?

Dr. Pema Gyamtso, Director-General, ICIMOD, answered to 1st question
Political sensitivities and controversies are involved, but ICIMOD has the advantage of being a neutral organization. We are politically impartial, focusing on science diplomacy and environmental diplomacy. This neutrality allows us to bring together scientists from China, India, Pakistan, and other countries to discuss common issues. Scientists share a passion for their work, and they are eager to share their findings.

Our role is to provide scientific evidence—not just from ICIMOD’s work, but also from our partners, many of whom are sitting across the table today. We bring this evidence to the table so that participating scientists and bureaucrats from our member countries can take it back to their decision-makers. There are numerous opportunities for collaboration, such as disaster risk reduction, which affects everyone and isn’t controversial.

Cooperation on biodiversity conservation is another area where transboundary collaboration is essential, especially for protecting iconic species like tigers, snow leopards, and elephants. Additionally, the transfer of technology and innovations is another area where collaboration can thrive without controversy. We need to focus on these areas and not give up. There is no reason to give up—giving up is not a solution.

The 2nd question was replied to by Dr. Kapli Gnawali, Nepal
A key issue for downstream communities is how to manage uncertainty due to insufficient data sharing across borders. Despite government efforts like the Nepal-India Joint Committee on Water Resources, there is often a gap between discussion and practical implementation of data sharing. While the importance of data sharing is acknowledged, it frequently falls short in practice, affecting people’s livelihoods. To improve, perceptions of data sharing must shift from being seen as merely a research tool to a vital component of collaborative water resource projects. Making data sharing compulsory in regional projects and promoting awareness and evidence-based approaches could enhance collaboration and effectiveness.

Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, IWMI, answered the Q3’s data sharing question.
Effective data sharing is essential, but how data is shared also matters. For instance, in the Indus basin between India and Pakistan, data is shared but often kept restricted and not publicly accessible, leading to disputes and blame. In order to improve transparency and trust, non-classified data should be made publicly available.

Integrating geospatial information with ground data could enhance water management systems at the basin scale, especially in regions like the Indus or Ganges. This integration would support better decision-making and disaster response for floods and droughts. Knowledge institutions and partners like IFI can help develop this evidence-based information, guiding water investments and ensuring regional sustainability.

After the Q&A interaction with the audience, Dr. Amarnath Giriraj, IWMI, onsite moderator, asked the 2nd question to the panelists: What low-hanging fruit opportunities do you see for enhancing transboundary cooperation based on feedback from participants and your own perspective? What are two key actions or strategies you would recommend?

The panelists answered as follows.

Finally, Dr. Arun Shrestha, ICIMOD, delivered the summary and wrapped up the session.  The “Enhancing transboundary cooperation and financing for long-term resilience in Himalayan rivers” session highlighted significant challenges and urgent needs, but also emphasized emerging opportunities centered around information, innovation, implementation, and investment. The interconnectedness of the region’s issues requires a nexus approach, which helps balance trade-offs and foster cooperation. Non-political, technical dialogues are essential given the complex political landscape, with promising areas like nature-based solutions and benefit-sharing. Financing from multilateral banks and international institutions is crucial, and proactive efforts, such as adaptation programs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, are underway. Specific country insights, like Nepal’s shift towards multilateral discussions and the value of networks such as the Upper Indus Basin Knowledge Network, further demonstrated the potential for progress through digital platforms and stakeholder engagement.

 

Dr. Pema Gyamtso, Director-General ICIMOD, delivered closing remarks.

ICIMOD is actively working to establish a high-level institutional mechanism for regional cooperation. In 2020, a ministerial summit saw all eight member countries sign a declaration committing to enhanced cooperation, leading to the formation of a task force. This task force reviewed models like the Arctic Council and Alpine Convention and developed recommendations for a similar regional framework.

Although presenting these recommendations at the second summit was postponed, enthusiasm for regional cooperation continues growing, driven by scientific and policy dialogues on climate and air quality. The goal is to present these recommendations at a future ministerial forum to create non-binding agreements that foster moral commitments, such as upstream countries sharing real-time information with downstream neighbors during significant water events. The urgency of the climate crisis underscores the need for immediate actions focused on innovation, implementation, and investment.

 

 

Program

Welcome Remarks Yumiko Asayama, APWF Secretariat

Keynote Presentation: Himalayan Rivers in Crisis Need for Urgent Actions” Dr Pema Gyamtso, Director General, ICIMOD

Panel Discussion, including Q&A interaction with the audience

Panelists

  • Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director Water-Food and Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Pakistan
  • Ms. Maria Carreño Lindelien, Water Governance Officer, Water and Wetlands, IUCN Gland (HQ) 
  • Mr. Lance William Gore, Principal Water Resources Specialist, ADB
  • Dr. Kapil Gnwali, Senior Divisional Engineer. Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Government of Nepal
  • Dr. AP Dimri, Director, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Fellow of Indian National Science Academy. India 
  • Onsite Moderator: Dr. Giriraj Amarnath, Principal Researcher – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience, IWMI

Online Moderator: Dr Vishwaranjan Sinha, Programme Officer, IUCN Asia

Summary, Way forward and closing of session

Dr. Aun B Shrestha, Strategtic Group Lead, ICIMOD

Closing Remarks: Dr Pema Gyamtso, Director General, ICIMOD

 

(Reporter: Ms. Yumiko Asayama, APWF Secretariat )


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