Foreword

Water resources management is a key function of governments around the world. Governments need to ensure that available water resources are used in ways to meet economic and social objectives, and this task is becoming increasingly complex as the intersection of water policies with other policy areas (such as energy and agriculture) increases. In many countries, however, water resources management is hampered by a lack of financing and capacity that restricts countries’ abilities to effectively harness water resources for economic growth and prosperity. Water resources management covers a wide range of functions, from the “hard” end of construction, operation and maintenance of water infrastructure to the “soft” end of the design, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of water policy. All this requires resources, without which governments will be increasingly frustrated in the effective management of their water resources