Ayeyarwady Integrated River Basin Management

Background

On 6 November 2015, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Government to facilitate long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

The MoU serves to ensure the development of Myanmar’s river basins are managed in accordance with international best-practice. It also recognises the importance of knowledge and information management as critical ingredients for effective IWRM and specifically identifies hydroinformatics and hydro-meteorology as key early enablers of this agenda.

Recognising Australia’s strengths and expertise in these areas, the Government of Myanmar requested support from the Australian Water Partnership to implement river basin planning, and technical and professional capacity building activities as part of the World Bank’s Ayeyarwady Integrated River Basin Management (AIRBM) Project, a five-year US$100 million initiative.

Objectives

The Ayeyarwady is Myanmar’s largest river and most valuable water resource, used for shipping, agriculture, tourism, and to support healthy ecosystems and human life.

Australian Partners are working with Myanmar’s National Water Resources Committee (NWRC), Directorate of Water Resources and Improved River Systems (DWIR), the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), and the Hydro-Informatics Centre (HIC) under the first two components of AIRBM. Through this work, communities in Myanmar will benefit by learning more about the river and how to use and develop it sustainably.

Activities

Initial projects have contributed to a ‘State of the Basin Assessment’ (SOBA) of the Ayeyarwady River Basin, the first step in setting the foundation for integrated, inclusive and sustainable planning.

Andhra Pradesh Water Sensitive Cities

The Andhra Pradesh Water Sensitive Cities activity identifies how water sensitive city principles can be incorporated into the existing city of Vijayawada and new city Amaravati.

Australia-Indonesia Water Utility Improvement Program

Transferring management expertise, technology, and personnel between three Australian water utilities and three Indonesian water utilities.

Australia-Mekong Water Facility

The Australia-Mekong Water Facility is an investment offering a direct government-to-government line of engagement between Australia and countries in the Mekong region.

Australia-Vietnam Water Utility Improvement Program

Water utility twinning between Vietnamese and Australian water utilities striving towards excellence in the water utility sector.

Ayeyarwady–Murray-Darling Basin Twinning

A twinning relationship between government departments from Myanmar and Australia to improve river basin planning with an emphasis on peer-to-peer mentoring of staff.

Basin Ecosystem Services Evaluation

Valuing ecosystem services in the Ayeyarwady Basin to quantify and understand its natural capital, and improve economic productivity.

Basin Exploratory Scoping Study

A rapid exploration of development and conservation pathways to inform an Ayeyarwady Basin Master Planning process.

Basin Water Pollution Survey

A baseline analysis of water pollution in the Ayeyarwady Basin as an input into the State of the Basin Assessment process.

Board Development Training and Strategy Development

Board Development Training and Strategy Development activity is a part of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Capacity Building Program.

C-14 Groundwater Analysis

Radiocarbon dating of major regional groundwater systems as part of the Groundwater Review for the Central Dry Zone, Myanmar.

Cambodia Irrigation Performance Assessment

Developing a system to enable Cambodia to assess the performance of its irrigation sector and secure further investment.

Capacity Building Scoping Mission

Capacity Building Scoping Mission, an activity conducted in 2017-2018, is a part of the National Hydrology Project (NHP) III.

China Water Exchange (CWEX) Study Tour

In May 2018, a high-level delegation from the China Water Exchange (CWEX) visited the southern Murray-Darling Basin to learn about Australia’s water markets.

Cooperation with Iraqi Water Resources Ministry

Cooperation with Iraqi Water Resources Ministry activity, which took place in 2018, is a part of the AWP India Program.

Eco-Hydrology Assessment

An ecohydrological assessment of the Ayeyarwady River Basin as an input into the State of the Basin Assessment process.

Establishing a scientific evidence base for planning in the Ayeyarwady Basin, Myanmar

Australia’s continued support for the Ayeyarwady River Decision Support System (DSS) and Basin Master Plan (BMP) builds upon the Ayeyarwady State of the Basin Assessment (SOBA).

Global Leadership Program on the Circular Economy

Global Leadership Program on the Circular Economy activity allows for experiential learning of the circular economy for 20 Indian Experts.

Groundwater Review of the Central Dry Zone

A major 30-year study providing detailed analysis and mapping of groundwater resources for Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone.

Gujarat Groundwater Systems Trial

Underpinning AWP’s national-level support to NWIC, this activity will work at the state scale to trial a groundwater data management system in the Indian State of Gujarat.

Hydrological Data Audit

A comprehensive review of hydrometric and meteorological data to help inform evidence-based decision-making in the Ayeyarwady Basin.

Indo-Pacific Water Stewardship Project

This activity, beginning in early 2019 and running through to 2022, is the second phase of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Water Stewardship Program.

Indonesia Water Stewardship Event

Indonesia’s first Water Stewardship Forum from May 8 – 10, 2018 hosted by Alliance for Water Stewardship Asia Pacific was held in Bogor, Indonesia.

Laos ecohydrology assessment

Transitory Mekong Support was delivered through a number of activities, including Laos ecohydrology assessment, in 2018-19.

Maharashtra-NSW State Water Management Workshop

Maharashtra-NSW State Water Management Workshop, an activity conducted in 2017, is a part of the National Hydrology Project (NHP) III.

Mekong Delta Forum

The AWP supported the Mekong River Commission through its activity Mekong Delta Forum.

Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods

Technical advice on the development of operations manuals and upgrades on irrigation systems for a World Bank initiative in Vietnam.

Mekong River Commission (MRC) Support

In 2018-19, the Australian Water Partnership provided support for the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to guide equitable and sustainable development of hydropower in the Mekong River Basin.

Mekong River Commission (MRC) Water Policy Advice World Bank

The AWP supported the Mekong River Commission through its activity Mekong River Commission (MRC) Water Policy Advice World Bank.

Mekong River Commission socio-economic modelling

This activity is providing the MRC with a socio-economic model to assess the impact of pending development strategies on poverty, land use, livelihoods, and migration.

Mekong Water Data Initiative

Transitory Mekong Support was delivered through a number of activities, including Mekong Water Data Initiative, in 2018-19.

MRC Hydro Capacity Building Initiative

MRC Hydro Capacity Building Initiative is a sub-project of the AWP’s Mekong River Commission (MRC) Support to guide equitable and sustainable development of hydropower in the Mekong River Basin.

MRC Water Policy Advisor

The MRC Water Policy Advisor is a sub-project of the AWP’s Mekong River Commission (MRC) Support to guide equitable and sustainable development of hydropower in the Mekong River Basin.

Myanmar State of the Basin Assessment (SOBA) dissemination

Transitory Mekong Support was delivered through a number of Activities, including Myanmar State of the Basin Assessment (SOBA) dissemination, in 2018-19.

Myanmar Young Water Professional Program

A joint Australia–Netherlands program to support the Myanmar Government in training and mentoring the next generation of water leaders.

National Groundwater Meeting

The National Groundwater Meeting activity took place in 2017-2018.

National Hydrology Project (NHP) III

In India, AWP continues to support the third phase of the National Hydrology Project (NHP III) funded by the Indian Government and the World Bank.

National Water Resources Information Centre Development Support

As a part of this activity, a small team of Australian experts has been assisting an NHP core design team to establish the National Water Information Centre (NWIC).

NHP III Conference

NHP III Conference, an activity conducted in 2018-2019, is a part of the National Hydrology Project (NHP) III.

NHP River Basin Planning & Institutional Strengthening Stage 1

NHP River Basin Planning & Institutional Strengthening Stage 1, an activity conducted in 2016-2018, is a part of the National Hydrology Project (NHP) III.

Pacific Water and Wastewater Association Capacity Building Program

Since May 2016, AWP has been supporting a major capacity development program for the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA).

Promoting water stewardship in Industrial Parks in China

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) has been working with industries across China to support them to adopt water stewardship.

PWWA CEO and Secretariat funding support

PWWA CEO and Secretariat funding support is a part of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Capacity Building Program.

Rapid surface water resources assessment for Lao PDR

Transitory Mekong Support was delivered through a number of activities, including Rapid initial assessment of the state of water resources in Lao PDR, in 2018-19.

River Basin Planning & Institutional Strengthening Phase II

River Basin Planning & Institutional Strengthening Phase II, an activity conducted in 2018-2019, is a part of the National Hydrology Project (NHP) III.

Scaling out of Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater Use (MARVI)

Engaging communities in India to sustainably manage groundwater at the village level using the MARVI system approach.

Sponge City Trade Mission to Kunshan

The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) led a trade mission of government and industry representatives to the City of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.

State of the Basin Assessment Review and Synthesis

Laying the foundation for developing an Ayeyarwady Integrated River Basin Management Plan to guide policy and planning decision-making.

Support for MRC Summit

In April 2018, Australian Partners were supported to attend the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Cambodia.

Supporting the Laos Dam Safety review

The Dam Safety review Activity is a part of the 2019-2023 Australia-Mekong Water Facility Program.

Surface Water Resource Assessment

A comprehensive basin-scale assessment of water resources and water use of the Ayeyarwady River Basin.

Sustainable Hydropower Expert

The sustainable hydropower expert mentored the MRC’s in-house sustainable hydropower specialist and provided broader policy and strategic advice to the Planning Division.

Technical visit by Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP)

The technical visit activity introduced dam management practices in Australia that may inform or be adopted in the Indian Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Program.

Timor-Leste Flood Disaster Response and Assessment of Water Storage and Delivery Systems

Supporting Timor-Leste to adopt digital technology to strengthen flood and disaster response management and undertake an assessment of water storage and distribution systems.

Transitory Mekong Support

Transitory Mekong Support was delivered through a number of Activities in 2018-19.

Valuing the Benefits of Nature-based Solutions for Integrated Urban Flood Management in Thailand and Vietnam

ABOUTPROGRESSGALLERYCONTACTABOUT Background According to projections by the United Nations, by 2050, 68 percent of the world population will live in urban areas, up from 55 percent in 2018. Globally, floods are the most frequent of all natural disasters. They are responsible for causing more damage than any other weather or non-weather related disaster. It is [...]

Vietnam Water Charging Law Workshop

Vietnam Water Charging Law Workshop is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

Vietnam Water Charging Manuals

Supporting the development of manuals to implement the water charging regime component of the new Law on Hydraulic Work in Vietnam.

Vietnam Water Law Pilot Study

Supporting Vietnam in developing a shared methodology to road test the water charging manuals under the new Law on Hydraulic Work.

Vietnam Water Law Scoping Mission

Vietnam Water Law Scoping Mission is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

Water Data Management – Office of National Water Resources

The Activity Water Data Management – Office of National Water Resources is a part of the 2019-2023 Australia-Mekong Water Facility Program.

Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces

Modernising irrigation systems in five drought-prone provinces in the South Central Coastal and Central Highland regions of Vietnam.

Water Ordering Cooperation

Water Ordering Cooperation Activity is a part of the 2019-2023 Australia-Mekong Water Facility Program.

Water resource & hydraulic works planning

Water resource & hydraulic works planning is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

WaterGuide: a framework for managing water scarcity

WaterGuide – an organising framework and policy dialogue tool for water management under conditions of water scarcity.

WEIDAP Conceptualisation Workshop

WEIDAP Conceptualisation Workshop is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

WEIDAP Ground Water Investigation

WEIDAP Ground Water Investigation is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

WEIDAP Water resource planning capacity building – scoping study

WEIDAP Water resource planning capacity building – scoping study is an activity of the Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) in Vietnam.

World Bank – MRC Regional Workshop

The AWP supported a Mekong River Commission (MRC) regional workshop in partnership with the World Bank as a part of it’s broader program to support the MRC.

Young Pacific Water Professionals

Young Pacific Water Professionals is a part of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Capacity Building Program.