Will Asia be able to meet its water needs in the 21st century? - Online discussion

Time: 06:00 to 07:00 GMT 14:00 to 15:00 Manila Time

As demand continues to grow across the Asia Pacific, the goal of using freshwater resources in a sustainable manner requires new approaches to water management. What are the steps that governments from across the region need to adopt to guarantee that people will be able to enjoy access to the resource that underpins life on earth?

ADB water experts Amy Leung and Ian Makin will discuss the findings of the 2013 Asian Water Development Outlook, the region's first quantitative analysis of water security on a country by country basis. The report examines all dimensions of water security from household level to water-related disasters, and suggests options for measures that leaders in Asia and the Pacific can take to improve water security in their countries.

Speakers

Amy Leung: As an urban planner with expertise in urban development, water resources management, project design and monitoring, and public-private partnerships, Amy S. P. Leung currently helms the loan, grant, and technical assistance portfolio for urban development and water supply and sanitation as ADB's Director for Southeast Asia Department's Urban Development and Water Division. She has over 20 years of experience in managing multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary projects in Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the people's Republic of China, Philippines, and Uzbekistan.

Ian Makin: Ian W. Makin is Principal Water Resources Specialist in ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Department (RSDD) where he coordinates implementation of the ADB water operational plan, focusing on water resources and agricultural water management to support ADB operations. Prior to joining ADB, he was Regional Director at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) leading research and capacity building initiatives in South East and South Asia. previously, he was a senior engineer at HR Wallingford, UK, for 16 years, leading water resource project teams in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Jamaica.

Send your questions in advance here or through Facebook or Twitter