[Newsletter Contents]

Feedback From the Final Forum

IHA - International Hydropower Association
Raymond Lafitte
"On too many occasions, it appears that the role of governments and authorities is undermined. It is our strategic priority to recommend that a legal framework has to be put in place democratically for the creation of authorities and legislation addressing all aspects including social and environmental issues relating to infrastructure."

IUCN - The World Conservation Union
Ger Bergkamp
"The WCD's report makes it very clear that if we want to solve conflicts over water resources management and dams in a sensible way, we can no longer ignore the range of dam impacts... The work of the Commission represents a fair and balanced assessment of both benefits and costs, with input from all constituencies through high-quality reviews, public hearings and thorough information gathering. The Commission has created a knowledge base that goes beyond what any individual organisation could possibly have compiled. What the WCD has given to us is not a final verdict on dams. But it has opened up a new path, a new approach to build upon... Time has now come to move forward, to implement strategies that are more environmentally and socially responsible. This will require us, however, to work in partnerships and break down institutional barriers."

MAB - The Brazilian Movement of Dam-Affected People
Sadi Baron
"MAB has made every effort to disseminate the work of the Commission and to increase its eventual impact. Within our possibilities, we took the debate to the Brazilian dam-affected people and worked to further involve NGOs and civil society. In an official meeting with representatives of the Mines and Energy Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the National Agency for Electrical Energy, MAB provided information about the work of the WCD and requested participation by the government in the WCD process... MAB positively evaluates that the WCD's final report has pointed to the necessity of seriously developing studies on alternatives, with the participation of dam-affected populations".

WWF - World Wildlife Fund
Biksham Gujja
"The report of the World Commission on Dams is a challenge to all stakeholder groups worldwide to work together to implement the `Agenda for Change'... and to apply the defined Strategic Priorities by adopting the criteria and adhering to the guidelines for good practice... However it recognises that this will not happen unless those who created the Commission as a platform for dialogue `become the heirs' to the work of the Commission and `multiply its impact'... WWF applauds the report and recommendations of the Commission and believes that the framework put forward is a good first step in addressing the issue of dams and the needs of energy and water supply".

Confederacion Hidrografica del Ebro
Jose Vicente Lacasa Azlor
"The measures implemented since the 1950s by the Ebro Basin Organisation and by Spain in general, to compensate the negative effects of dams, could have been used by the Commission as examples of good practice of what can be done to reconcile development with respect for people and the environment. From economic compensation up to the implementation of restoring plans for the whole affected areas, the measures taken are widespread effective. We think that with these examples taking into account we could have a more hopeful vision of water management and the role of dams in it"

ADB - Asian Development Bank
Preben Nielsen
"ADB has taken its first step in collaboration with World Commission on Dams in disseminating the WCD study in Asia by hosting an internal workshop on 29 November 2000 for ADB staff. This was followed by a two-day regional workshop in Manila from 12-20 February 2001. Professor Asmal and the Commissioners have unequivocally confirmed that in response to growing development needs, dams remain one important option. However, the report also concludes that dams have too often fallen short of what is desirable or acceptable in the areas of economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability... The WCD report provides a `roadmap' to move from the present, often unsatisfactory process for planning, design, construction, and operation of dams, to a more equitable and sustainable one."

ICOLD - International Commission on Large Dams
T van Robbroeck
"Beyond a few bland statements... and quoting a few figures for the share of irrigation in food production and of hydro in energy generation, there is little in the report about the development effectiveness of dams in regulating the world's rivers for human utilization. Nowhere has it been stated that in many cases dams are the only solution to water problems... Dams appear to have been measured against objectives originally stated by the developer, which in many cases, I admit, have not been totally met... Does this mean that, in my view and ICOLD's there is no merit in the report of the Commission? No. There is a lot to be said in favour of the chapter on Rights, Risks and Negotiated Outcomes. Also on the Strategic Priorities and the Criteria and Guidelines."

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Joan Carling
"The findings of the WCD report mirrors our own experience on the adverse cultural, social and environmental impacts of large dams as in the case of Birga, Ambuklao and San Roque dams in the Cordillera... There is no short process to tackle water & energy development, which affects the lives of billions of people... CPA has taken initiatives to disseminate the WCD report. The summary of the Report is now being translated in Ilocano to be published soon and will be distributed to dam affected communities. Likewise, we are also organising a national workshop for dam-affected people & NGOs to present & discuss the WCD report. We are also intending to call for a multi-stakeholders workshop in the Philippines on the WCD report towards a constructive dialogue for the implementation of the WCD recommendations and guidelines."

ITDG - Intermediate Technology Development Group
Steve Fisher
"ITDG welcomes the report as a positive step towards improving performance in the field of water resource development. In particular, the emphasis on comprehensive options assessment and in promoting a broad approach to integrating social, environmental and economic dimensions of project planning are valuable contributions. Our concern now is that the proper processes are put in place to ensure that the key recommendations are supported into the future... Through our own energy and water programmes and consultancy support to clients, we will advocate for the adoption of the Commission's framework for decision-making. In supporting the outcomes of the WCD process, we will continue to work for practical testing, acceptance and implementation of the Commission's proposals."

Nepal Electricity Authority
Janak Karmacharya
"The World Commission on Dams Secretariat have done a commendable job by accumulating a vast wealth of knowledge regarding dams... However, a careful selection of candidate dams, not confined to the more than 25 years old dams, when the concept of environmental and social impacts were yet to be appreciated, for in-depth study could have enhanced the credibility of the analysis. Nevertheless the knowledge base is extensive and useful for further study. It is satisfying to note that they have adhered to the universally accepted five core values ­ equity, efficiency, participatory decision making, sustainability and accountability ­ that must be applied to decisions related to any development activities and not only for the dam development... regarding specific implementation issues: The requirement that public acceptance should be gained for decision-making is not debatable."

Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation
Paul Peter
"On the one hand, representatives of the Swiss Industry and of the Consultants were worried that the implementation of the guidelines as stated in the report would be detrimental for the industry. On the other hand there are voices which would prefer the report to become the bible with regard to dams... I can inform you that we in SDC are willing to support the followup of the ongoing debate as we have for the work of the WCD. I believe it was and will be resources well spent... I and my colleagues learnt the lesson that any project will fail which does not englobe a balanced approach to social, institutional, economic, technical and human resources aspects."

World Bank
John Briscoe
"If the WCD recommendations and guidelines are taken `not (as) a blueprint, but a starting point for good faith discussions' in countries and elsewhere (including financing agencies), they have already proved to be very useful. But if they are taken as a check list of requirements to be `complied with' and `conformed to' then they are strongly opposed by all the governments we have consulted... In conclusion, we appreciate the enormous amount of work done by the commissioners and secretariat of the WCD. You have produced a report which has already catalysed an unprecedented and very healthy debate."


IRN - International Rivers Network
Patrick McCully
"While IRN does not agree with all the contents of the WCD report we welcome it as a major contribution to the debate on dams and to the management of water and energy resources in general. We believe that its recommendations should be implemented by all funders and builders of dams as the minimum criteria necessary before any projects can go ahead... We also welcome the positive statements on the WCD made by the African and Asian Development Banks, the US Export-Import Bank and some governments, including those of the UK and Germany. While we are keen to participate in the various multistakeholder processes proposed to discuss how to incorporate the WCD's recommendations into policies at the national and other levels, we also must stress that these must not turn into endless talking shops with little impact on the real world of dam building."

Berne Declaration
Peter Bosshard
"Like many other groups, the Berne Declaration welcomes the WCD report as the most independent and comprehensive evaluation of large dams to date. I should add that I have great personal respect for all the Commissioners who came from very different backgrounds and still managed to prepare a consensus report... I believe that the Core Values and the Guidelines of the WCD report could be extended from water and energy planning and dams to other sectors as well... More importantly, we have also seen many constructive and encouraging responses ­ from national dam industry associations, international organizations, export credit agencies, and bilateral donors... the Berne Declaration is interested in being part of a structured followup process... I call on all actors to adopt the Commission's Guidelines, and to engage in a structured followup process."

Winrock International
Bikash Pandey
"Large projects in general, dams being of particular importance to Nepal, are eroding social capital in the country. They have created substantial mistrust between government and civil society... The WCD report has given expression to this mistrust. But it also gives an opening to both sides to begin to heal this mistrust. Government officials support the core values. They agree in principle with most of the seven strategic priorities. On the seventh, they feel the report fails to safeguard the rights and interests of the upper riparian country, which in the case of Nepal, is the poorer and weaker of the neighbours. On this last issue, government and civil society in Nepal are in agreement... The process of incorporating the WCD Guidelines into existing water development policies in the country, itself through a participatory process, is a long-term project that I and my organization look forward to playing an important role in."

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme
Klaus Toepfer
"The final report of the World Commission on Dams, the `Dams and Development ­ A New Policy Framework for Decision Making', deals with the very issue of a new policy framework of sustainable development... The significance of the WCD work and its final report lies in that it represents a transparent process of stakeholder involvement, which can stimulate decision making in a complex and controversial issue. By going through such a process, I believe that it is always possible to reach decision, and achieve a `win-win' situation. In this sense we can learn a lot from this report... UNEP is ready and committed actively to contribute to the followup process"

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organisation
Hans Wolter
"The Aswan High Dam is a good example of the beneficial effects of large overyear storage... Large dams are required in some cases. We cannot afford to disregard any option to increase food supply in food deficit countries. But decisions to build dams must be taken in a responsible manner. It is in this spirit that we welcome the report of the WCD. We understand it as a framework for responsible decision-making, not as a verdict on dams. The Commission has established rules on how to solve conflicts surrounding dam construction... we recommend testing the recommendations of the Commission in good faith. This test has to be done in the real world... Let's get over fundamental opposition to water development on the one side and fixation on dams and engineering solutions on the other side. Modern engineers and practical environmentalists have come along way in showing what can be done".


Industry Group:
The following response was presented by Refaat Abdel Malek, Jean-Etienne Klimpt, Donal O'Leary
"The industry group shares the core values and principles underlying the seven strategic priorities. The final report presents a number of good observations. However the overall tone on the report is negative in regards to the role of dams,which tends to undermine the report constructive elements... The problem is not dams. (or roads, or airports, or cities). The problem is in their governance: there are well-designed, well-managed and productive dams, as there are well-designed, well-maintained and useful roads. The opposite is also true. The problem, then, is one of policy (the why and how, for whom), not one of technology (what). Dams, built for people, local and others, with environmental sensitivity, are OK. The WCD makes such a distinction, and proposes a political process which should revolutionise the way major infrastructures are built, by putting all those at stake in the centre of the process. One major drawback is that governments around the world have their own vision of how to develop their resources ­ water and others ­ and might or might not want to integrate the political advice offered by the WCD... The whole WCD process has positively contributed to raising the political profile of the challenges facing the world in terms of water and energy security."

An observation from the floor:
People Affected by the Sondu-Miriu Hydropower project in Kenya
Argwings Odera, Project Coordinator
"The WCD report echoes our everyday desire. The desire to live just like those benefiting from electricity. But what is this we are hearing? Those major dam builders are quite predictably, attempting to lynch the guidelines. We have heard such comments that the report would make the process of building dams too costly and too time consuming... I defend the report because the report aims to protect my environment, save our river the Sondu-Miriu River, defends my rights and that of my people... How much money are we willing to pay to live in a clean, harmonious environment?... Our interpretation: the WCD is saying let us still provide those 100 people electricity. But also do not kill those 30 people. And by the way, why can't we provide those 30 people with electricity too and at the same time improve their physical and social environment."