Uganda and Netherlands take lead in global water integrity agenda against corruption

The first Water Integrity Forum came to a successful conclusion with the Ugandan Minister of State for Water Resources, Betty Bigombe (middle) and Kitty van der Heijden, Ambassador for Sustainable Development of the Dutch government (second left) announcing that their countries will take a lead in the global agenda of water integrity and the fight against corruption.

Both Bigombe and Van der Heijden promised they will put water integrity on the agenda of the 2013 Budapest Water Summit, 8-11 October in Budapest, Hungary.

The Water Integrity Forum took place in Delft, the Netherlands, from 5-7 June and was organised by the Water Integrity Network (WIN).

Fight against corruption
For the first time experts from all over the world openly discussed the problems of corruption. Many emphasized the complexity of the issue that sometimes is rooted deep in an organisation.

Reactor Andreas Szöllösi-Nagy pointed out that bribery has two sides. He mentioned the funding of water projects by developed countries.. It is not only the responsible of the developing countries to see to it that the money is pend well, the donor countries that give the money have a responsibility too, he said.

Ugandan water minister Betty Bigombe  called for more integrity within the water sector. "We must not only blame. That creates a defensive reaction. We must create a positive attitude by strengthening integrity".

Towards a universal code of conduct
The Water Integrity Forum released a draft statement after intense consultations with the Forum participants who agreed to it in principle.

One of the highlights of the statement called for moving towards a universal code of conduct for individual and institutional behaviour.

First Water Integrity Forum
The first Water Integrity Forum was jointly organized by the Water Integrity Network (WIN), UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education and the Water Governance Centre (WGC). It was attended by more than 100 water and integrity experts from over 60 organizations across the world.

The Forum brought the problem of corruption out of the closet into the open and raising the stakes to address this challenge.

About Water Integrity Network
The Water Integrity Network (WIN) was formed in 2006 to respond to increasing concerns among water and anti-corruption stakeholders over corruption in the water sector. It combines global advocacy, regional networks and local action, to promote increased transparency and integrity.

This news item is based on a press release originally published on the website of Water Integrity Network.
Photos copyrights: Hans de Lijser

More information
1st Water Integrity Forum, Delft, 5-7 June 2013
www.waterintegrityforum.com
(including video recordings)

Water Integrity Network
Berlin, Germany
+49 30 809 246 130
www.waterintegritynetwork.net

Introduction of Annotated Water Integrity Scan (AWIS), a tool to explore integrity in the water sector, make assessments and develop actions.

A tutorial presentation of AWIS to put it to practise