This Training of Trainers (TOT) course is hosted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Thailand, and supported by UNESCAP, AguaJaring Southeast Asia and CapNet. It focuses on training of managers and trainers associated with River Basins and River Basin Organisations

Sustainable management of water resources is an important goal currently adopted at national and international level in an effort to address water shortages, inequity, pollution and many other water problems. One of the key changes being adopted is using the river basin approach. As a result many countries are introducing new institutional arrangements for water resources management, including organizations to manage water resources at the river basin level – (RBOs).

Creating new structures, or changing old ones, to meet the goals of integrated water resources management (IWRM) is not easy and there is evidence that the introduction of new river basin organizations does not run smoothly in many countries. There is also widespread uncertainty on what it means to implement the IWRM approach on the ground.

Following from a series of case studies on River Basin Organisations, Cap-Net has developed a foundation training programme for the management of water resources at the river basin level. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) Thailand, with the support of UNESCAP Bangkok and AguaJaring-CapNET held this TOT course on 27-31 July 2009 in Bangkok. The objective was to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the application of integrated water resources management (IWRM) for sustainable management and development of water resources, leading to water security. The approach has been to focus on the key functions essential for sustainable management of water resources which represent the core responsibilities of water management agencies.

The training is particularly targeted at the staff of river basin organisations (RBOs) and trainers within the region. A total of 27 participants, from Southeast Asia who are government officials, RBO managers, and trainers attended this training and it is hope that they will be able to use the knowledge learn in their respective agencies

The workshop went well and was very much appreciated and a success. Dr. Siripong Hongspreug, the Director General of Department of Water Resources (DWR), officiated the closing and confirmed on DWR support on the regional capacity building efforts. He further stated that this should be the beginning of many more training in IWRM, which DWR will participate across the region. The participants were very impressed with the achievements thus far in Thailand, and the commitment and tenacity that DWR, Thailand, has in pushing the agenda forward to ensure efficient and effective water managements through the RBOs; with the environment, economy and people's needs very much in the horizon of DWR planning. Dr. Siripong also emphasised that although much has been done, the DWR still has a long way to go in integrating water resources management in Thailand. UNESCAP was represented by the Chief, Water Security Section of EDD, Dr Ti Le-Huu at the opening ceremony

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Dr. Le Huu Ti, Chief, WSS ESCAP, delivered an opening remarks on behalf of Mr. Shaoyi Li, OIC of EDD

Mr. Surapol Pattanee, Deputy Director General, DWR Thailand, delivered welcome speech

Dr. Siripong Hongspreug, Director General, DWR Thailand, delivered closing remarks