Implementing the OECD Principles on Water Governance: Indicator Framework and Evolving Practices (2018)

Water and its improved governance are critical for economic growth, social inclusiveness and environmental sustainability. Three years after the adoption of the OECD Water Governance Principles, this report takes stock of their use and dissemination. It provides a water governance indicator framework and a set of evolving practices for bench-learning, building on lessons learned from different countries and contexts.

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Water Charges in Brazil: The Ways Forward (2017)

This report examines the current system of water abstraction and pollution charges in operation in Brazil. It assesses the current system’s implementation challenges and provides possible solutions. The report explores how water charges can be both an effective means for dealing with water security issues, and a tool for enhancing economic growth and social welfare.

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Water Governance in Cities (2016)

Building on a survey of 48 cities in OECD countries and emerging economies, the report analyses key factors affecting urban water governance, discusses trends in allocating roles and responsibilities across levels of government, and assesses multi-level governance gaps in urban water management.  It provides a framework for mitigating territorial and institutional fragmentation and raising the profile of water in the broader sustainable development agenda, focusing in particular on the contribution of metropolitan governance, rural-urban partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

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• Compare how cities across the world are shaping up to the challenges of water governance
  

Water Resources Governance in Brazil (2015)

This report is the result of a policy dialogue with more than 100 stakeholders at different levels in Brazil. It assesses the performance of Brazil’s water governance and suggests policy recommendations for strengthening the co-ordination between federal and state water policies and for setting up more robust water allocation regimes that can better cope with future risks. The report concludes with an action plan, which suggests concrete milestones and champion institutions to implement those recommendations.

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• Policy brief
• • Speech of Luiz de Mello, OECD Deputy Director for Public Governance and Territorial Development

The Governance of Water Regulators (2015)

This report presents a picture of the governance arrangements, operational modalities and use of regulatory tools across a sample of 34 established water regulators. The results reveal that the 34 water regulators show generally a high level of adoption of good governance principles and practices. They display functions and powers that are in line with their objectives. Water regulators also show a strong culture of consultation. Other areas, in particular evaluation of regulatory impacts, could be further strengthened.

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Stakeholder Engagement for Inclusive Water Governance (2015)

The report assesses the current trends, drivers, obstacles, mechanisms, impacts, costs and benefits of stakeholder engagement in the water sector. It provides pragmatic policy guidance to decision makers and practitioners in the form of key principles and a Checklist for Public Action with indicators, international references and self-assessment questions.

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This report assesses the extent to which Dutch water governance is fit for future challenges, and outlines an agenda for the reform of water policies in the Netherlands. It builds on a year-long policy dialogue with over 100 Dutch stakeholders, supported by robust analytical work and drawing on international best practice.

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• Brochure
• Speech of Yves Leterme, OECD Deputy Secretary-General, at the publication launch event
• Interview with the International Journal on Water Governance

Water Governance in Jordan - Overcoming the Challenges to Private Sector Participation (2014)

The report assesses the main governance and financing challenges to private sector participation in the water supply and sanitation sector of Jordan, and provides ways forward to address them.

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Water Governance in Tunisia - Overcoming the Challenges to Private Sector Participation (2014)

The report analyses the key governance challenges to private sector participation in the water and sanitation service sector in Tunisia and suggests policy recommendations to overcome them.

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Making Water Reform Happen in Mexico (2013)

The report provides evidence-based assessment and policy recommendations in support of Mexico’s water reform. It analyses implementation bottlenecks and identifies good practices in key areas.

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• Brochure
• Speech of Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, at the publication launch event
  

Water Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean: A multi-level approach (2012) 

The report addresses multilevel governance challenges in water policy in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) and identifies good practices for co-ordinating water across ministries and between levels of government.

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Water Governance in OECD countries: A multi-level approach (2011)

The report addresses multilevel governance challenges in water policy implementation and identifies good practices for coordinating water policy across ministries, between levels of government, and across local actors at subnational level.

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• Brochure