The APWF Secretariat organized the 32nd Governing Council Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) in a hybrid format on October 18, 2024. Thanks to the invitation to the 8th Committee on Environment and Development organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the meeting could take place at the UN Conference Center in Bangkok. 

A total of 55 participants attended, including 11 officials onsite (mainly those working in Bangkok) and 44 officials online. The meeting was co-facilitated by Ms. Changhua Wu, Governing Chair of the APWF, onsite, and Prof. Eduardo Araral, Vice Chair of the APWF, online.

Key Discussion Highlights:

1. APWF Network’s Action Plan :2024–2027:
2. Nomination of an APWF Vice Governing Council Chair as the resolution
3. Information Sharing from the APWF members and observer organizations:

1 APWF Network’s Action Plan: 2024–2027:

The author outlined that the Action Plan was developed in alignment with the Kumamoto Declaration from the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS), the outcomes of the APWF side event on the UN Water Conference, the Asia-Pacific Regional Process of the 10th World Water Forum, and discussions from the four Asia-Pacific-focused sessions at Stockholm World Water Week 2024. The author also noted that the APWF Secretariat engaged with Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works and National Housing regarding organizing the 5th APWS in Indonesia. A Letter of Intent has been signed to facilitate further discussions on this collaboration. The author emphasized that the Network Action Plan is designed with a forward-looking perspective toward the 5th APWS and other key international conferences to accelerate actions and implement solutions that contribute to achieving the SDGs.

During the opinions and feedback exchanges, the APWF members emphasized the following aspects:

• Sanitation and Wastewater Management: Emphasizing its critical role in the water agenda, the increased visibility it has gained, and the need for targeted sanitation strategies that reflect the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region.
• Integration with Broader Themes: Embedding sanitation within the water-energy-food-climate-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus and ensuring action plans are adaptable to the region’s diverse contexts, from small island states to large nations.
• Regional Specific Needs: Addressing the unique challenges in areas with limited private sector involvement, such as Pacific Island countries, while highlighting the crucial role of civil society.
• Private Sector Involvement: Strengthening water stewardship by linking it to the role of the private sector.
• Collaborative River Management: Exploring pathways for robust river management to protect glaciers and ensure water security in the Hindu Kush Himalayas.
• Water Rights and Governance:
• Integrating insights from the 2023 UN Water Conference and aligning with upcoming initiatives, such as the 2026 Dushanbe Water Conference, to enhance the action plan’s relevance and alignment with the SDGs.
• Engaging Academia and Innovation: Encouraging universities and research institutions to address critical themes like water culture, smart cities, and technical innovation as part of efforts to achieve the SDGs.
• Need to mobilize sustainable financial resources to implement these initiatives effectively.

2. Nomination of an APWF Vice Governing Council Chair as the resolution

Since Ms. Changhua Wu, former vice chair of the APWF, became the chair of the APWF Governing Council, there was a vacancy for one vice chair. Seven candidates were nominated based on the recommendation of some APWF members. APWF Secretariat nominated Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO’s East Asia Regional Office, for the position.

The meeting reaffirmed the APWF’s commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing its strategic priorities for water security and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

Drawing on the feedback and guidance provided by APWF member institutions, the APWF Secretariat will continue to coordinate efforts and mobilize resources to advance the implementation of the APWF Network Action Plan.

(Reporter: Yumiko Asayama, Chief Manager )