The Strengthening Water Resources Management in Afghanistan (SWaRMA) Initiative is supported by the Governments of Afghanistan and Australia and implemented by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). It aims to co-create knowledge and provide co-learning opportunities to enhance the capacity of Afghanistan partners in managing water resources.

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) are concepts that have been adopted by many governments because they provide a holistic approach to river basin management. IRBM adapts the principles of IWRM, which has been part of global water resource management discourse since as early as the 1990s. Both of these management frameworks involve an integrated approach, taking into consideration not just the water within the system but also the management, sustainable use, and environmental impacts of water and land resources for livelihoods, as well as disaster risk reduction and management of water-related hazards.

Recognizing the importance of IWRM, the Government of Afghanistan has adopted it for integrated river basin management through a new water law and water sector strategy in 2011. In the coming days, water resources management in Afghanistan is likely to face more challenges as a result of climate, land use, and socioeconomic changes.

This particular training will involve 15 participants from Afghanistan, including professionals from the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), Ministry of Agriculture and Livelihood (MAIL), Kabul University (KU), and other relevant departments of water resources and river basin management. The participants are expected to be familiar with different aspects of water resources planning and management.

Objectives:

The specific objectives of the training are as follows:

1. Introduce participants to the concept and approach of IWRM and IRBM in the context of Afghanistan
2. Introduce the multi-disciplinary concept of IRBM in the context of Afghanistan
3. Discuss practical IRBM experiences through group work and role play
4. Familiarize participants with the tools and approaches for understanding river basin drivers and impact
5. Gain a better understanding of water governance and institutional frameworks, water diplomacy, regional cooperation, socioeconomic drivers, and gender and operational aspects of water resources management

Please note that the participants of this training have already been nominated by the respective ministries/institutions from Afghanistan and we cannot accommodate any additional participants.