In April 1997, with support from the World Bank and the IUCN - The World Conservation Union, representatives of diverse interests met in Gland, Switzerland to discuss the role of large dams in development in light of reactions to a pertinent report by the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) of the World Bank.

The breakdown of dialogue on the construction of dams worldwide - between NGOs, the private sector, governments and international organisations such as the World Bank - was imposing considerable costs on all parties. The World Bank and the IUCN realised that no group involved in the conflict could resolve the stalemate alone.

The Gland-workshop brought together 39 participants from governments, the private sector, international financial institutions, civil society organisations and affected people. The consensus proposal that came out of the meeting was for all parties to work together in establishing the World Commission on Dams (WCD) with a mandate to review the development effectiveness of large dams and develop internationally acceptable criteria, guidelines and standards for large dams.

The World Commission on Dams commenced its activities in May 1998 under the chairmanship of Professor Kader Asmal, then Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry in the South African Government. The Commission's Secretariat was located in Cape Town - South Africa, reinforcing its intention to serve developing countries in its approach to the task at hand.

Many felt that the contested nature of the dams debate would pull the Commission apart. However, the twelve Commissioners from diverse backgrounds developed an understanding and approach based on mutual respect that saw them through many contested discussions.

The result was not a bland compromise document, but rather an innovative framework within which to examine dams ­ both existing and planned. The Commission's final report, `Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision Making' was launched under the patronage of Nelson Mandela in November 2000.