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World Commission on Dams present its Final Report in Colombo

Colombo Daily News, Sri Lanka - 21 November 2000

The World Commission on Dams (WCD), which was mandated by the international community to review the development effectiveness of large dams and to assess alternatives, has completed its work.

Its findings and analysis are included in its final report, 'Dams and Development', which is being released at a series of briefings in various cities around the world this month. The Sri Lankan presentation will take place at the BMICH in Colombo on Tuesday, 21 November at 10.00 a.m.

At this meeting, Jeremy Bird, Senior Advisor on Irrigation and River Basin management of the WCD will present the Commission's comprehensive global analysis to an invited gathering of Sri Lankans. He will also summarise the main findings and the authoritative criteria guidelines recommended by the Commission for future dam projects. The goal is to turn dam controversies of the past into consensus for the future.

Similar meetings are being arranged in locations as diverse as Bangkok, Moscow, New York, Buenos Aires and Oslo. These meetings seek to bring the report to the attention of the world's governments, private sector, civil society and donor agencies. The main launch event will be in London.

"The proof of the pudding is always in the eating," says Chair of the World Commission on Dams, Professor Kader Asmal. "So the real test of our work will be whether our report helps countries meet the day-to-day needs of our thirsty, hungry citizens without exhausting the waters that sustain us all. The measure of our progress over the last two years is how practical and useful our collective work has been for all. Only then will it endure."

The World Commission on Dams was established by industry, governments, NGOs, environmentalists and aid agencies to undertake the first independent, comprehensive global assessment of large dams. The WCD commenced its operations in May 1998. It has twelve commissioners representing all shades of opinion concerning large dams, which makes it a unique attempt in resolving this controversial subject.

During the 29 months since its birth, the Commission held a series of regional consultations that enabled representatives from government, private sector and civil society organisations to make submissions to the Commissioners.

The first such consultation, for South Asia, was held in Colombo in December 1998, which was followed by several others. In addition, the Commission also carried out a global programme of case studies, did a cross-check survey of 45 dams in Asia and Australia, and went through 338 written submissions received from concerned individuals and organisations.

The Commissioners, supported by a professional Secretariat based in Cape Town, South Africa, read 947 papers and 10 in-depth studies, met nine times on five continents, listened to the stories of 130 people from 68 countries, reviewed 1,000 dams and debated for hundreds of hours. They rewrote their final report draft after draft until all twelve Commissioners agreed on the evidence on the performance of dams in the past, and how to make sustainable decisions about water and energy development in
the future.

Each major study report, review and survey prepared for the WCD has been rigorously peer-reviewed by the primary interests involved. "Some interests on both sides of the dams and development debate seem to feel that the research that goes into the WCD somehow, by itself, presses judgement, or makes recommendations," says Secretary General Achim Steiner. "It in fact does neither. Only one document embodies the values of and speaks with one voice from the Commission, and that is our Final Report."

This report will not tell either the people or governments what to do about future or existing dams. It will, however, provide clear evidence, historic context and a step-by-step framework from which they can carefully develop scarce natural resources together to meet local and national development needs.

"Just as our journey ends, the real work of translation into action begins," says Kader Asmal. "We have fulfilled our mandate. We have learned hard lessons from the past, listened to voices hitherto unheard, and offered a new framework for decision-making."

The Commission's work programme as well as many sectoral studies are available at their website at www.dams.org. A summary of the final report will also be posted at this website.

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