Bangladesh calls on ADB not to sanction loan

The call was made by the Bangladesh delegation while addressing the second Water Week Programme of the bank in Manila yesterday.

The theme of the week is 'Water for the Poor: Setting the rules and finding the money.'

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Speaking at the conference, Hasna Moudud, president of the Coastal Area Resources Development and Management Association, said the ADB should not only care about providing safe drinking water and sanitation for the poor but also

should help in water resource management at the regional level.

The bank should especially deals with transboundary water sharing issues, said Hasna Moudud.

In response to concerns of Bangladesh over the ecological impact of Indian river-linking project on its territory, Wouter Lincklaen Arriens, lead water resources specialist of the ADB, said transboundary water sharing is essential for sustainable development in the region.

A government representative told The Daily Star that there are so many things that could not be discussed in the conference.

So, we have requested a high official of the bank to help resolve the transboundary water sharing issue before lending money to Indian river-linking project, he added.

Allan W Hall, senior advisor of the Global Water Partnership, said, some countries in different parts of the world are finding solution to their transboundary water sharing problems. But those did not lead to social unrest, he added.

Talking to The Daily Star after the second day session, Hall said Bangladesh should call on international communities to share its anxiety over the Indian river-linking project.

Michel Camdessus, former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said the dream of pure water for all is a realisable goal.

It can be achieved if all the parties accept the need to change their approach, in some cases radically.

Over 350 water experts from across Asia are taking part in the conference that began on Monday.