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Media and CSOs unite in Kathmandu to tackle transboundary water governance challenges

Can media coverage reshape water governance? In Kathmandu, professionals explored how storytelling drives policy—and why collaboration is the missing link.

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2 min read
The image shows a poster with a map of the South Coast Hydrologic Region and text detailing...
The image shows a poster with a map of the South Coast Hydrologic Region and text detailing groundwater management plans. The map is detailed and shows the various areas of the region, including rivers, lakes, and other geographical features. The text provides additional information about the plans, such as the type of water used, the amount of water available, and the estimated time it will take to complete them.

Media and CSOs unite in Kathmandu to tackle transboundary water governance challenges

A learning exchange event focused on media engagement took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 29 June. Organized by our website Asia and the BRIDGE Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) program, it brought together media professionals and civil society representatives from five countries. The main event centered around improving communication strategies for transboundary water governance issues.

The event highlighted how media can influence policy and public awareness on environmental challenges. Ann Moey, Head of Communications for our website Asia, led discussions on the media's role in shaping policy decisions. She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Jayanta Basu, an environment and climate correspondent from The Telegraph, presented a case study on the Sundarbans. His work demonstrated how media coverage can impact transboundary water governance, particularly in shared river basins. Participants also shared best practices for crafting and spreading key messages to boost the visibility of the BRIDGE GBM CSO Network's activities. A regional network of over 25 CSOs from the GBM countries had previously launched a shared Vision in 2016 to connect communities across the river basin. Now in its second phase, the network seeks to strengthen cooperation. Many attendees noted that strategic communications are often overlooked in conservation and governance projects. Participants agreed that transboundary governance issues need more media attention. Proposed solutions included joint CSO-journalist platforms and field visits for reporters.

The BRIDGE program, facilitated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), operates in over 15 transboundary river basins worldwide, including the GBM and Mekong regions. Funding for the GBM initiative comes from Oxfam, Novib, and The Asia Foundation (TAF). The Kathmandu event aimed to help participants use media tools more effectively to promote the network's goals.

The discussions in Kathmandu produced clear recommendations for better media engagement. CSOs and journalists plan to create joint platforms and organize field visits to improve reporting on transboundary issues. The outcomes will support the BRIDGE GBM CSO Network's efforts to raise awareness and influence policy across the region.

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