United Nations Environment Programme

• What is the challenge
• What is DDP committed to?
• Where we come from?
• Who we are?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was there a need to establish DDP?

Following the launch of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) Report in November 2000, there was a call from a wide range of stakeholders for an entity that could provide guidance and support for national follow-up processes, further disseminate the WCD Report and Knowledge Base materials and provide information on activities undertaken around the world in response to the report. Individual countries and organisations needed time to reflect on the Report and put in place processes to determine their response.

What did WCD do?

The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was established in May 1998 in response to the escalating local and international controversies over large dams. It was mandated to review the development effectiveness of large dams and assessed alternatives for water resources and energy development; and develop internationally acceptable criteria, guidelines and standards for the planning, design, appraisal, construction, operation, monitoring and decommissioning of dams.

What happened to WCD?

The Commission was an independent time-bound activity that disbanded in 2001 as planned after the launch of its Report. It prepared global policy recommendations through a unique process of multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Is the role of DDP to implement the WCD Report?

No. DDP is an activity within the inter-governmental structure of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its role is not to oversee implementation of the WCD Report but to support those countries and regions that request assistance in analysing the WCDs recommendations and determining appropriate responses and actions relevant to prevailing national contexts.

What is the DDP's aim?

DDP Phase 1 (2001-2004) was aimed at promoting a dialogue on improving decision-making, planning and management of dams and their alternatives based on the World Commission on Dams (WCD) core values and strategic priorities.

DDP Phase 2 (2005-2006) is aimed at promoting improved decision-making, planning and management of dams and their alternatives building on WCD core values and strategic priorities and other relevant reference materials through promoting dialogue and producing non prescriptive practical tools. To read the full statement of goal and objectives click here.

Why was UNEP chosen as the host organisation?

UNEP was identified by stakeholders at the Third WCD Forum meeting as a suitable independent and impartial body to coordinate the follow-up activity. There was general agreement that a new organisation should not be established and that any follow-up should embody a multi-stakeholder character. Given the need to shift the focus from global policy formulation to national dialogues, it was also considered important to move the process into an inter-governmental arena.

How is DDP structured and who directs it?

DDP is a project of UNEP and the Coordinator of the DDP secretariat reports to the Director of Environmental Policy Implementation in Nairobi and ultimately to the UNEP Executive Director. A fourteen member Steering Committee provides policy advice and guidance to UNEP on implementation aspects of DDP. This multi-stakeholder committee broadly represents the wider Dams and Development Forum that provides a broader institutional base for dialogue and interaction on key thematic topics. Financing for DDP is provided by a number of governments and organisations through a UNEP Trust Fund

What are the key elements of the DDP work?

Currently, during its second phase, DDP has two main focus areas. Firstly, supporting country level, regional and global levels on improving decision making on dams and their alternatives with the aim of engaging all stakeholders with emphasis on governments. Secondly, producing non prescriptive tools drawing on all relevant existing bodies of criteria and guidelines for planning and management of dams and their alternatives, which can help decision-makers.

At the country level, this is achieved through providing support to multi-stakeholder dialogue processes in a range of countries in response to requests made to DDP. Key components at the global level include the Dams and Development Forum and the organisation of a series of global level issue based workshops. Non-prescriptive practical tools include the Inventory of Policy and Normative Frameworks Concerning Dams Planning and Management , the Compendium on Relevant Practices for Improved Decision-making on Dams and their Alternatives and the Experiences and Lessons Learnt Database.

What support can DDP provide to in-country processes

DDP support includes presentations on the WCD report and follow-up processes, advice on how to set up multi-stakeholder dialogue processes, assistance with translation of the WCD report and related materials and seed financing for workshops and dialogue processes. Each request is handled on an individual basis. Key considerations for DDP in providing support include the extent to which the process is multi-stakeholder in nature or has the capacity to be inclusive in due course, the degree of commitment of those making the request and the extent to which the proposed process is expected to make a difference and influence government policy and procedures.

What does DDP hope to achieve

National dialogue processes supported by DDP are focussed on examining current policies and procedures related to dams and development in light of the WCDs recommendations and other guidance material with the aim of preparing specific proposals for reform that would be submitted to governments for action. A number of these are underway and DDP is disseminating information about these to encourage more countries to embark on such processes. Within its limited timeframe, DDP expects to support processes that will ultimately lead to a difference in the way planning and implementation processes for dams and their alternatives and hopefully lead to reduced conflicts and delays in meeting expressed development needs.

DDP is also committed to elaborating practical tools including a Compendium on Relevant Practices that will help countries and other stakeholders strengthen policy/legal/regulatory frameworks concerning dam planning and management.

What is meant by an inclusive multi-stakeholder process?

DDP adopts a multi-stakeholder approach by facilitating mechanisms to bring together people from diverse backgrounds who have an interest in dams and development. This approach is reflected in its multi-stakeholder Steering Committee that involves amongst others governments, affected and indigenous peoples' groups, industry and utilities, international organisations, NGOs, professional associations, researchers and groups working on options. DDP also encourages the involvement of those government agencies and organisations that expressed strong concerns over the WCD report in order to find ways of opening the dialogue process.

Currently, DDP has also established a Governmental Advisory Consultative Group (GACG) integrated by representatives of various governments of developing countries, countries with economies in transition and developed countries with relevant dams' portfolio. The GACG is aimed at providing advice to UNEP, through consultative activities and meetings, on the proposed outcomes of DDP Phase 2 in the broader context of the existing and needed measures to ensure that the construction of is done in a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable way.

What is the Dams and Development Forum?

The Dams and Development Forum comprises of approximately 120 organisations representing a broad range of constituencies of thirteen stakeholder categories. It provides a sounding board to the work of DDP and its members assist in implementation of DDPs activities. Membership of the Forum is on invitation by the Steering Committee that aims to maintain a reasonable balance of stakeholder groups. The Forum meets once a year.

What about agencies that voiced concerns about the WCD report – are they involved?

DDP realises that a number of government agencies and professional associations have voiced strong reservations about the detailed proposals contained in the WCD Report. Some agencies responsible for dam building programmes have rejected the Report. However, despite the diversity of reactions, there is a remarkable degree of consensus on the five core values and seven strategic priorities proposed by the WCD and this framework has been adopted by the DDP Steering Committee as the starting point for dialogue. The WCD framework is not being used as a regulatory framework, but rather as a framework for discussion on issues at national level. Countries with major dam building programmes such as Brazil , China , and Turkey agreed to join the Dams and Development Forum in order to share their experience and participate in this important debate.

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