This document summarizes a presentation by Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein on good water governance and integrated water resources management (IWRM) as prerequisites for water-energy-food security. The presentation defines water governance and explains that effective water governance seeks a balance across social, political, economic and environmental dimensions. IWRM is described as an effective management of the entire water cycle across all sectors and scales. The presentation discusses establishing laws, institutions, and stakeholder participation to strengthen water governance frameworks and decision making. It provides context on water management challenges and reforms needed in Myanmar to achieve sustainability, development, and help prevent conflicts over limited water resources.

1. “Good Water Governance and IWRM: Prerequisites for Water-Energy-Food Security” by Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein
Page 1 of 2
WRTC
Second Green Economy and Green Growth (GEGG) Forum
13-15 Nov 2012 (Nay Pyi Taw) and 16 Nov 2012 (Yangon)
Presentation Title “Good Water Governance and IWRM:
Prerequisites for Water-Energy-Food Security”
By Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein
Convening Group Member of Green Economy and Green Growth (GEGG)
Founder and President, Water, Research and Training Centre (WRTC)
Secretary General, Institute for Civil, Earth and Water Engineering (ICEWE)
Steering Committee Member, Global Water Partnership (GWP), http://www.gwp.org
Fellow, ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET)
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Water governance is defined by UNDP in 2005 as “the broad range of political, social,
environmental, economic and administrative systems that are in place to regulate the
development and management of water resources and provision of water services at
different levels of society”. Water governance requires laws and institutions. Effective
water governance seeks a balance among four dimensions; social, political, economic and
environmental. The social inclusiveness guarantees the equitable use of water resources
and recognition of “access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is a human right”.
The dimension of economic development drives to ensure the efficient use of water
resources and the role of water in overall economic growth. The political empowerment
provides granting water stakeholders and citizens at large equal democratic opportunities
to influence and monitor political processes and outcomes. The dimension of
environmental sustainability demonstrates that improved governance allows for more
sustainable use of water resources and ecosystem integrity. Governance, law and
institutions must be harmonized in their roles, responsibilities and functions in Integrated
Water Resources Management (IWRM). IWRM is an effective management of water,
taking into consideration all dimensions: the entire water cycle, all sectors, spatial and
temporal scales. IWRM strengthens frameworks for water governance to foster good
decision making. It has been recognized by many as the paradigm for establishing good
water governance and putting water resources on the recovery path.
Principles of effective water governance include transparency, participation,
accountability, access to justice and responsiveness. Laws and institutions define

2. “Good Water Governance and IWRM: Prerequisites for Water-Energy-Food Security” by Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein
Page 2 of 2
WRTC
processes, rights, roles and responsibilities at various levels, as well as administrative
procedures, information exchange. This is a requirement for stakeholder participation. To
this end, the Ayeyarwaddy River Basin Research Organization (ARBRO) was established
in mid 2012, with the recommendation from the Ministry of Transport, to share
knowledge and build capacity for IWRM in Ayeyarwaddy River Basin (which covers
60% of the total land area of Myanmar) and other three major basins in Myanmar namely,
Chindwin, Sittaung and Thanlwin. This is just a small step towards nation-wide
implementation of IWRM in Myanmar. There are other important organizations like
Myanmar Water Partnership (at the national level) and Southeast Asia Water Partnership
(at the regional level) and Global Water Partnership (at the global level) are also leading
the IWRM awareness, capacity building and implementation activities in Myanmar.
Myanmar Water Partnership is made up of all water-related departments and line agencies
under government Ministries, Technological Universities, water related NGOs and
research organizations in Myanmar.
At present Myanmar needs water sector capacity building and water sector reform as part
and parcel of current political and economic reform. On the one hand, as a matter of fact,
water resources of Myanmar are the vital natural capital for water-energy-food security in
Myanmar. Implementation of Integrated water resources management approach would
speed up the economic development with ensured sustainability. On the other hand, water
problems such as floods, droughts, cyclones, other water-related disasters and increasing
competition for limited supplies of water hindering Myanmar’s ability to meet social and
economic development goals. Competition creates conflicts and such conflicts may
escalate into crisis. Water sharing can be a source of collaboration (or) discrimination.
Collaboration brings trust and peace; discrimination breads hatred and instability. Law
and institutions create legally enforceable expectations (water rights) to ensure the fair
collaboration. In other words, equitable sharing of water resources would lead to trust
building and peace building among all ethnic nationalities of Myanmar. “Water” is a
medium for “Peace”.
IWRM strengthens frameworks for water governance to foster good decision making.
Myanmar is, like others, struggling to provide cost effective water and sanitation services
to rapidly increasing population. Climate change impact is an added burden. The current
approaches to rural poverty, food security, energy security, childhood mortality, and
environmental degradation did not yield its highest potential to deliver what is needed for
the national economic and social development, let alone the environmental sustainability.
The much needed green economy and green growth can leap frog by adopting a more
integrated approach to water resources development and management through an IWRM,
good water governance, and water efficiency strategy can help.
Contact Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein, http://www.wrtcmyan.org, by emails
aiweb.lead@gmail.com and wrtcmyan@gmail.com