Session FT 2.32

Promoting World Lake Vision and Integrated Basin Management for the Future of Global Water

Conveners

• Shiga Prefectural Government, Japan
  
• International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC)
  
• Global Nature Fund
  
• Conference of Promotion for Lake Biwa - Yodo River Basin Area Renaissance
  
• World Bank
  
• Global Environment Facility
  
• UNEP-International
  
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of Japan
  

The main objective of the session was to advance the World Lake Vision (WLV) launched at the 3rd World Water Forum in March 2003, and to take a step forward in promoting the principles of WLV in sustainable management of the world’s lakes. The session highlighted that the WLV and Lake Basin Management Initiative (LBMI) should be used together to achieve the goals of sustainable lake basin management. The participants recognized the vital roles of lakes in IWRM, and agreed on the need for disseminating and promoting ILBM, that could, in addition, enrich the IWRM concept. In regard to the upstream – downstream relationship in a lake/river basin, special reference was made to a unique financial scheme adopted for the Lake Biwa Comprehensive Development Plan. 

Lessons learnt

Where lakes exist, lake basin management is critical for sustainable development and responsible economic growth. It is clear that the management challenge of lakes and their basins must be addressed, recognizing that the future of lakes depends on our understanding and appreciation of their wider connections with the surrounding landscape and human activities, the linking water system of rivers, ground water and wetlands, as well as with effects and threats arising outside their basins, such as winds, invasive species and global climate change.

Key Messages

1. ILBM must be implemented for sustainable use of lakes and their resources, and should include the following:
   - Adequate institutions for implementing changes;
   - Efficient, effective and equitable policies;
   - Meaningful participation of all stakeholders;
   - Technical measures can help ameliorate certain lake problems;
   - Appropriate information about past, current and future conditions; and
   - Sustainable financing to allow all the above to take place.
2. A long-term, precautionary approach, directed to preventing the cause of lake degradation, and taking into account the needs of present and future generations, and of nature, is essential.
   
3. National and local government institutions are vital for fostering awareness, promoting participation, and bringing together diverse interests within lake basins. At the same time, people at the local level must assume responsibility along with power, since local behavior is often the root cause of damage to lakes.
   
4. Integrated basin management policies and practices are indispensable for managing a river basin containing lake sub-basins. 
5. Nation and local governments constituting the upstream - downstream basin system should make every effort to cooperate in promoting mutual understanding, and in instituting a system to carry out its long-term vision.
   
6. International collaboration, including assistance from technical collaboration and funding programs, can provide a vital impetus for lake management efforts.

Recommendations for action

1. Mainstreaming lakes and wetland issues into the global overall water agenda by recognizing the key features of lakes, wetlands and other impounded water bodies, i.e., integrating nature, long retention time and complex response dynamics, needing an approach reflected in Integrated Lake Basin Management, ILBM as complimentary to and yet hitherto not adequately reflected in Integrated Water Resource Management, IWRM.
   
2. Promoting ILBM, a long-term element of government and public priorities, planning and financing processes, habitat and biodiversity programs, and economic and development programs
   
3. To facilitate effective implementation of the above two priorities, local individual lake-based stakeholders’ voluntary organizations, and a network of national, regional and the basin level network of lake management initiatives and organizations for joint advocacy and action programs, also is needed.

Local Action presented

International Symposium on Wetland Restoration 2006

Shiga Prefectural Government, Japan

The symposium was held at Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan in January 2006, with the objective of exchanging knowledge and experiences around the world and promoting the practice of wetland restoration. About 800 participants from around the world, including citizens, experts, NGO members, government officials, discussed more than 100 presentations, took part in a technical seminar, and visited Hayazaki Naiko (attached lake), an experimental restoration site. They recognized the importance of wetlands and their management issues, with adoption of “Lake Biwa Declaration on Wetland Restoration.”

Lake Biwa – Yodo River Basin Area Renaissance

Conference of Promotion for Lake Biwa – Yodo River Basin Area

In the Lake Biwa and Yodo River Basin Area, the quality of the natural environment, including that of the water environments, has deteriorated, making the city dweller to be less and less aware of the endowed benefits derived from the surrounding water environments. The “Lake Biwa - Yodo River Basin Area Renaissance” was adopted as the 6th Urban Renaissance Project in 2003, with establishment in 2004 of the Conference as the implementing agency of this project, with the participation of the ministries and local governments.

Solar Ship Network

Global Nature Fund

Many lakes are exposed to potential threats from motorized boating. Lake Constance, which provides drinking water to more than 4.5 million people, experiences impacts from over 55,000 registered boats, of which oil and fuel are causing severe threats to the lake’s water quality.  The GNF initiated the “Solar Ship Network” project, networking independent parties involved in the solar ship branch. It is expected to have influence on political decision makers to improve the general conditions for this innovative mobility form and, ideally, enhance the number of solar ships.