Feedback From The WCD Forum:

Shared interests, mutual respect and trust allow associates to offer each other constructive criticism. The WCD takes its turn November 16. Before that Final Report launch, Forum members assessed the WCD:

ISPH

Dan Dobrescu, Technical Director of The Institute of Hydroelectric Studies and Design in Romania wrote in a letter to WCD Secretary-General Achim Steiner:

"Up to the 1980s, the accent was laid on the safety degree of dams, the perfectibility of the performance technologies, the

Dan Dobrescu

most accurate data related to the natural, geological, seismic, hydrological and climate conditions as well as their close observation during the operation period.

The merit of the Commission based also on the experience of the specialists from all fields concurring to the achievement of such works of large extent, will be to highlight other most current aspects that have to be considered when coming to decide the construction of an important dam.

Regarding the documents, which the Commission will elaborate, and also the Final Report, I am very grateful for your kindness to keep me informed about the progress of the works of the Commission. I consider that this is an appropriate way of informing the authorities in my country and the National Romanian Committee of Large Dams – founding member of ICOLD, about the provisions and character of the documents elaborated by you."

NORAD

Even Sund, Senior Energy Advisor, Norwegian Agency for International Co-operation comments to WCD based on observations during the Forum Meeting in Cape Town

"I have spent some time thinking how the very extensive work carried out by the WCD and the

Even Sund

Secretariat could come to the best possible practical use. Considering the fact that it is normally individual governments taking decisions on the implementation of projects within their own territories, the most important outcome of the work of the WCD would be to recommend it to governments, and get acceptance for some fundamental principles to be followed in dam development.

It would certainly be in the interest of all parties that commercial companies establish their own ‘code of conduct’, which for dam construction incorporates the principles recommended by the WCD. It could even be a requirement from governments when issuing licenses/ concessions.

With the active role the NGOs have played in the work of the WCD, the main principles recommended to governments should also be acceptable to NGOs. It seems likely that in some countries adoption of the WCD recommendations will necessitate legal and organisational changes."

World Bank

"Entering the Home Stretch"

The following extract from an internal memo (reproduced with permission) sent by the World Bank's Senior Water Advisor to Bank staff, John Briscoe, advising them of progress after the Forum meeting:

"In this short note, I will share with you (World Bank staff) my overall 'sense of where the

John Briscoe

Commission is' as they enter the home stretch.

First, on the process:

This has been an unqualified success. This is remarkable, given the strong positions on this issue, to see (a) the Commissioners from such diverse views acting as a single group, with a high sense of common purpose and mission and (b) the constructive engagement of the (equally wide) diversity of people on the 'forum'.

Second, on the 'knowledge base':

The Secretariat has articulated and executed an ambitious work programme aimed at developing a 'knowledge base' for the Commissioners to consider as they move forward. Inevitably this knowledge base is of mixed quality. And inevitably it has been frustrating to many reviewers that is not possible to discern what this 'knowledge base' might mean for the Commission.

In the meeting at the Bank (convened by World Bank President Jim Wolfenson) Professor Asmal stressed that these are working documents of individual authors and the Secretariat and should not be construed as being endorsed by, or the conclusions of, the Commissioners. The Commission has decided that when the knowledge base is published in final form, it will include all comments on drafts of papers. It is, accordingly, very important that supporting and dissenting opinions be expressed in writing to the Commission Secretariat.

Third, on the Commission's report:

The knowledge base will not be endorsed by the Commissioners and, in the words of Professor Asmal, there will be 'no simple mechanistic link between the knowledge base and the Commission's report.' In the Cape Town meeting he stressed that the Commission was only now 'walking the final mile', and that no one (including the Forum members) would be consulted on a draft of the commission's report or on the substance of the main messages."