The OECD Water Governance Initiative has provided a valuable framework through the Water Governance Principles. How do you see countries like Türkiye benefiting from applying these principles in their national and local water management practices?
Indeed, the OECD Principles on Water Governance represent a must-do for governments to improve their water governance systems at different levels, whereas national or local. It is important for any country to clarify “who does what” across ministries, basin organisations and municipalities, reducing overlaps and grey areas of decisions. Planning at river-basin scale can help align land use, energy and urban growth with water availability and quality goals. Strengthening regulatory quality, such as clear service standards, transparent tariffs with affordability safeguards, and strengthening monitoring systems can lift accountability.
In light of increasing climate-related water challenges, what role do you believe multi-level governance and stakeholder engagement play in enhancing resilience in water systems? Could you share examples where this has been effectively implemented?
A decision taken at one level of government affect the others, as such it is key to enhance coordination and make sure goals, priorities and actions are aligned within a multi-level governance system. Governance is not a sysnonim for government. As such, users, utilities, farmers, businesses and citizens should be engaged into decision-making and effective implementation. For example, France’s basin committees and water agencies align upstream–downstream investments; the Netherlands’ “Room for the River” programme re-designed floodplains with strong local buy-in; Australia’s Murray–Darling arrangements balance environment, towns and agriculture through drought; and Spain’s river-basin authorities use stakeholder councils to steer allocation and drought plans.
The OECD has emphasized the importance of performance indicators and monitoring in water governance. What tools or mechanisms would you recommend for countries to better assess and improve their governance frameworks?
Start with the OECD Water Governance Indicator Framework to self-assess against the 12 Principles every two to three years. It provides a voluntary multi-stakeholder self-assessment tool to understand the performance of water governance systems at city, basin, regional or national scales. Its primary objective is to stimulate a transparent, neutral, open, inclusive and forward-looking dialogue across stakeholders on what works, what does not, what should be improved and who can do what.
Looking ahead, what are the key global trends in water governance that institutions and policymakers, particularly in emerging economies, should prepare for?
Expect greater climate variability and the need for adaptive planning, multi-level governance and financing models blending public, private and climate funds. Circular economy measures will rise in importance, including water reuse and stormwater capture. Nature-based solutions will be scaled and paired with grey infrastructure. Rapid digitalisation to measure water consumption and trade should be matched with stronger cyber-resilience. Monitoring of emerging pollutants (such as PFAS and pharmaceuticals) will tighten. Many emerging economies share rivers and aquifers. More attention will go to transboundary basins and water–energy–food nexus planning.