Evidence-based decision-making is key to sustainable water management and it is in this context that Thailand, Australia and Germany are joining together to enhance water data management as well as monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of adaptation in the Thai water sector.

Challenges like increased flood and drought events from climate change solidify the need for evidence and robust data management in the water sector. Experience from around the world confirms that sustainable water management can only be realised with evidence-based decision making. Reliable water data, a solid information governance set-up as well as integrated M&E of adaptation are key to managing humankind’s most vital resource.

Supported by international experts, the workshop on Information Governance and Adaptation M&E was co-organised by the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) and the Water component of Thai-German Climate Programme -Water (TGCP-Water) on 23-24 May 2019. Held in Bangkok, it focused on gaining a better understanding of the needs and requirements for the Thai water sector to integrate M&E of adaptation measures in line with the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) within the overall information governance framework.

This will also enable the Thai water sector to align with the reporting requirements set forth by the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement as well as other international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

ONWR will apply the knowledge and practice gained to identify the requirements and indicators in line with the water-related goals in the NAP. M&E of water management, including adaptation actions will be anchored as an integral part of integrated and climate-sensitive river basin planning (River Basin Master Plans). The river basins of the Yom and the Sakaekrang will serve as pilot sites.

Moreover, in close cooperation with Thai universities, a digital-based methodology at the local level will be developed to assess the effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

“Climate change is one of the primary factors directly affecting the management of water resources through changes in rainfall patterns and water discharge. This increases the complexity and difficulty of water resources management. Therefore, ONWR is concentrating on climate change adaptation, especially at the national and subnational level, by focusing on M&E of adaptation measures. Collaboration between water-related agencies on M&E can benefit all parties involved.” – Pradap Kladkempetch, Assistant to Secretary General of ONWR.