India-Australia signed MoU Cooperation in the Field of Water Resource Management

India-Australia signed MoU Cooperation in the Field of Water Resource Management

New Delhi: Under India–Australia MoU Cooperation in the Field of Water Resource Management, 3rd   Joint Working Group Meeting took place today on 22.9.2020 at 1100 IST (New Delhi) and 15.30 AEST (Canberra) 

From Australian side,  Australian Co-chair Ms Lyn O’Connell PSM, Deputy Secretary - Water, Climate Adaption, Natural Disasters and Antarctic Group; Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment  Welcome the JWG and Introduce Australian Team. From Indian side, Indian Co-chair Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Welcome the JWG and Introduce Indian Team.
 
Thereafter, Australian High Commission in India HE the Hon Barry O’Farrell AO brief and address the Joint Working Group.Thereafter from Australian Side, Mr Adam Sincock, Director, International Engagement and Urban Water, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment briefed JWG about Water Management in Australia -Current Priorities and Issues, Dr Nick Schofield, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Water Partnership  “ Update on Water Engagement Activities since last JWG in July 2018” From Indian Side, Sh. S.K. Haldar, Member (WP&P), CWC Central Water Commission, Ministry of Jal Shakti briefed by JWG  about the Status of  implementation of Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Project  and  Brahmani Baitarni IWRM Study. Sh Sanjay Marwa, Member CGWB brief about MARVI Project.
 
Indian side issues related to NWIC Strategic Operating Plan (SOP), BoM Capacity Development Program on Stream-flow Forecasting, Setting up of Hydromet Testing, Calibration & Certification Facility (TCCF) lab at CWPRS were discussed.Under key priorities for cooperation, Indian side look forwarded cooperation in the field  of Hydrological Studies under Paragraph III Forms, Capacity building, training, study tours, education and knowledge sharing , Dam Design & Construction and Dam Safety aspects etc. Both side agreed to have a sub group for frequent interaction speedy implementation of MoU.

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