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  2. [2023] Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Training in Support of SDG 6 Achievement in Mongolia

[2023] Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Training in Support of SDG 6 Achievement in Mongolia

Monday, 10 April 2023 - 9:00am to Friday, 14 April 2023 - 5:00pm

Documents

Concept Note (updated as of 8 April 2023)

 

Background

In 2021, UNOSD undertook an assessment to analyse the policy advisory requirements of Member States in preparation to expand the existing policy advisory services it offers to developing countries. This assessment was made with a view to offering needs-based, tailor-made advisory services that assist in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

The assessment found that there was the potential for a successful partnership between Mongolia and UNOSD, and this led to a scoping mission in August 2022. During the mission, meetings were undertaken with, among others, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Tuul River Basin Authority (TRBA). Discussions continued after the mission and, subsequently, a project was developed that would encompass analysis of the current river basin management capacity and policy recommendations, along with the capacity development of river basin authority staff in the area of water management. Since the creation of the RBAs in 2012, Mongolia’s Water Law has stipulated that RBAs represent the country’s key institutional system for water resources management. RBA capacity is of paramount importance if these institutions are to become the main drivers in the implementation of sustainable IWRM. The law also specifies that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) is the main central government organization responsible for water resources management.

Therefore, as part of the project, UNOSD, UNESCO’s International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (UNESCO i-WSSM), and the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Mongolia, and the Tuul River Basin Authority (TRBA), Mongolia, to organize a training workshop that develops the capacity of Mongolia’s River Basin Authority staff in the area of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The planned activity is in line with the development plans of Mongolia (please see Annex 1).

 

Objectives and Target Participants

The training will focus largely on administrative management in the context of IWRM and will use the Republic of Korea as an example of a successful transition to IWRM and to demonstrate the functioning of, and potential pathways to, IWRM.

The last afternoon of the training will entail a guided discussion with participants to i) explore what the RBAs need in order to become drivers of sustainable IWRM in Mongolia; and ii) how UNOSD and partners could support the transition. This will result in a report, including recommendations, to be provided to the Director-General, Water Policy and Coordination Department, MET, and to be used as the basis of future discussions with MET. This document will be key to informing, and potentially increasing political will to enable, the development of a pathway to IWRM. The target participants are the working level staff in IWRM processes, including representatives from each of the 21 RBAs, MET and the Water Agency.

 

Training Structure and Format

The training will be structured around the standard UNESCO i-WSSM IWRM modules, tailored to the needs and interests of the RBA staff in Mongolia according to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Tuul River Basin Authority (TRBA) focal points. The format will be training room lectures and field trip demonstrations of IWRM in action. Please see Annex 2 for the draft training programme.

 

Schedule and Format

The IWRM training is scheduled to take place from 10–14 April at Mayfield Hotel, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

 

Organizers

The United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), UNESCO’s International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (UNESCO i-WSSM), and the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Mongolia, and the Tuul River Basin Authority (TRBA), Mongolia, to organize a training programme that develops the capacity of Mongolia’s River Basin Authority staff in the area of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). UNRCO Mongolia has been consulted throughout the process and remains an important collaborator at the local level.

 

Programme and Agenda

Day 1 (10 April 2023)

Opening of the Forum 

Welcome Remarks:  

  • Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD
  • Mr. Changsam Jeong, Professor, Dept. of Smart Construction and Disaster Management, Induk University
  • Mr. Bong Woo Shin, Director, UNESCO i-WSSM

Introduction to IWRM

  • Mr. Changsam Jeong, Professor, Dept. of Smart Construction and Disaster Management, Induk University

IWRM Principles and Water Security

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

IWRM Case Study: Republic of Korea

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

 

Integrated Flood and Drought Management

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

Assessment of IWRM Implementation

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

 

Day 2 (11 April 2023)

Introduction to River Maintenance and Management

Concept of River Maintenance and Management

History of Paradigm Shift in River Maintenance and Management

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

Prospect of River Maintenance and Management and Conclusion

  • Mr. Seokhwan Jang, Professor, Smart Construction and Environmental Engineering, Daejin University

Overview: Flood Management Plan in Response to Climate Change

Overview: Drought Monitoring and Forecasting for Drought Preparedness and Management

 

Day 3 (12 April 2023)

Field Trip to Han River Basin Environmental Office, Paldang Dam, Jamsil Submerged Weir

 

Day 4 (13 April 2023)

Field Trip to Daecheong Multi-purpose Dam, K-water Headquarters, IWRM Center

 

Day 5 (14 April 2023)

Introduction to Infrastructures Maintenance and Management

Global Situation of River Infrastructures Maintenance and Management

History of Paradigm Shift in Infrastructures Maintenance and Management & Conclusion

Small group discussions on RBAs as main drivers in the implementation of sustainable IWRM (Challenges, opportunities, support from UNOSD and partners)

  • Facilitator: Mr. Seungho Lee, Professor, International Development – Water Policy, Korea University Graduate School of International Studies

Feedback and discussion on RBAs as main drivers in the implementation of sustainable IWRM (Challenges, opportunities, support from UNOSD and partners)

  • Facilitator: Mr. Seungho Lee, Professor, International Development – Water Policy, Korea University Graduate School of International Studies

Final Comments and Closing

  • Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, UNOSD

 

Contact Information

For any questions or comments about the forum, please contact Ms. Yujeong Kim, Senior Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD at yujeong.kim@un.org, Ms. Emily Carroll, Policy Development and Coordination Expert, UNOSD at emily.carroll@un.org, and Ms. Wonju Kim, Team Assistant UNOSD at wonju.kim@un.org.