Project Description

Implementing innovative approaches for water governance

Donor/Partner: Funded by Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and administered by the Asian Development Bank  |  Duration: 2018-2019 |  Location: Mongolia

About: Mongolia is a vast landlocked country, bordered by China and Russia and comprising about 80% steppe. Despite a relatively sparse population, a lack of updated water management combined with climate change, increased industrial activity and urban expansion in the capital Ulaanbaatar has led to serious pressure on water sources. Hundreds of lakes and rivers have already dried up and desertification of land has been affecting regions in the South and around the Gobi desert. Many households rely on untreated groundwater which may be contaminated.

To respond to these challenges, the implementing innovative approaches for water governance project aims to improve the national structure and regulatory framework of water governance through developing policy recommendations, river basin plans and capacity building activities.

Water laws and regulations will be updated to address current issues such as surface and groundwater scarcity, pollution from industrial activity, poor wastewater treatment and sanitation, ecosystem degradation and ageing infrastructure. Relevant stakeholders such as river basin authorities and committees and government officials will be trained and given tools, criteria and scoring systems to continue effectively managing water resources as circumstances change over time.

Objective: Improve national structure and regulatory framework of water governance

Main tasks:

  • Undertake a participatory scoping and baseline study with relevant stakeholders
  • Develop recommendations for river basin policy
  • Implement capacity building programs for river basin administration including scoring systems, updating database systems and developing and delivering training workshops
  • Develop river basin management plans and pilot interventions for water security based on local needs