Regional High-level Meeting on Rainwater Harvesting

Background

The Government of Nepal has demonstrated the importance of harvesting and preserving rain water in rural and urban settings. Its policy highlights the need to collect and use all rainwater productively. Several countries in the South Asia Region have gained experience and all regional countries would benefit from exchanging experiences and expertise on promotion and application of rain water harvesting (RWH) system.

In September 2006, the Government of Sri Lanka invited ministers from SAARC countries to the city of Kandy to consult about the role of RWH in drinking water supply and water resources management across the region. The meeting proved a very worthwhile exchange of ideas and experiences. The Fifteenth SAARC Summit held in Colombo through 2-3 August 2008 in its Declaration "Partnership for Growth for Our People" re-emphasized the need to harness rainwater for development and sustainability and urged countries to take appropriate action.

To support the initiatives, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works plans to hold a Regional High-level Meeting on Rain Water Harvesting, and invite Ministers / Secretaries, senior policy makers and officials of SAARC countries to lead appropriate delegations of national experts for a Meeting to take place from June 28 to 30, 2009 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tentative Program and Schedule

The three- day meeting shall start with inauguration ceremony followed by country presentation from SAARC countries. Technical papers will be presented and discussed.

Site visit has been planned for the second day to observe RWH activities within Kathmandu valley. A trade exhibition related to RWH and cultural program will be organized in the evening.

The third day includes a panel discussion among experts, practitioners and policy makers on various issues of the RWH. Remaining technical papers will be presented and discussed. The High Level Regional Meeting will conclude with a Declaration on the same day.