According to Joyce Beouch, BWA coordinator, invitations to the summit have been sent out to traditional leaders, governors of the states, elected members of the states’ legislatures and the national government, selected members of the community, representatives of semi-government and government agencies, and representatives of the various non-government conservation organizations in Palau.
“We hope to bring all key stakeholders to the summit,” Beouch said, “to initiate dialogues that would, hopefully, lead to a generation of ideas and strategies to protect our water resources.”BWA has taken on a task to ally all of the Babeldaob states together to protect the water sources on Babeldaob Island.Studies have shown that Babeldaob – Palau’s largest island – is the only island in the country that supports a “complex system of watersheds with a network of perennial surface rivers and streams.” Babeldaob’s major watersheds are Ngermeduu, Ngerdorch, Ngerikiil, and Diongradid. Two of Palau’s largest rivers, Ngermeskang River and Ngerdorch River, are also located in Babeldaob.“All of the states in Babeldaob and Koror state rely on the watersheds, rivers, streams and tributaries for their water supply,” said Beouch. “Our goal is to ensure that the sources for the water is protected so that the people could continue to have access to quality water.”It is the intent of BWA, through the summit, to get everyone involved in the protection, conservation, and management of the Babeldaob watersheds and water resources.“This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities to manage our water resources,” Beouch said. “It is an opportunity for sharing ideas and coordinate implementation of innovative ways and means of protecting and managing our water sources.”The chairman of BWA steering committee, Kashgar Rengulbai, believes that summit would set in motion a commitment from everyone to protect and conserve Palau’s water sources.“The Babeldaob Watershed Alliance Leadership Summit is an important step toward our long term commitment to improving Palau’s water quality,” he said. “We hope the summit will be the foundation to build strong partnerships for protection and management of Babeldaob watersheds for generations to come.”The BWA Leadership Summit will begin at 8:00 a.m. and would conclude at 4:00 p.m. For more details about the forum, contact Joyce Beouch at 488-3993.
