In 2013, Beijing had some of the worst air quality in the world: a decade on emissions have plummeted. Five years after he was last in China to work on air quality management, Bertrand Bessagnet, who coordinates ICIMOD’s work on air quality, returns to a city transformed, to find out how China got it so right, and what next.
Originating from the glaciers of Tibet, the mighty Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra River carves its path through some of the most ecologically and geopolitically complex regions in the world, and is one of the world’s most densely populated river basins. It provides essential resources like water, food and electricity, and economic opportunities in the form of agriculture and fishing; as such, it is a lifeline for over 114 million people across Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and India. Despite its importance, the basin remains largely underdeveloped.
Sharing a river’s bounties requires sharing its burdens too. The basin faces many cascading challenges that are transboundary in nature. Climate change impacts, such as an increase in glacier melt, erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather, has heightened vulnerability and water insecurity for downstream communities, particularly for women and marginalised groups.
The Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra River holds immense potential for sustainable development and prosperity. Realising this potential requires regional collaboration to address transboundary challenges.
The urgent need for a transboundary river basin network
Recognising the need for joint action to address the transboundary challenges of the river basin, ICIMOD convened scholars, development professionals, and entrepreneurs in December 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal, to initiate discussions around forming a network of various stakeholders, tentatively called the Brahmaputra Basin Network (BBN). This network was envisioned to foster dialogue, collaborative research, and collective action among the riparian countries. As a result of this meeting, the participants decided to name the network the ‘Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra Basin Network’ (YBBN) for greater inclusivity.
During the recent YBBN stakeholder meeting, held on 17 July, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the network had a real breakthrough. With 37 key stakeholders from three riverine countries, this meeting marked a significant step in formalising the YBBN and establishing four thematic technical working groups to guide the network’s future efforts. The meeting was organised by ICIMOD’s group on ‘Resilient River Basins of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH)’ and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the TROSA Phase-2 project.
The working groups will focus on hydrology and climate, environmental conservation, socio-economic impacts, and policy outreach, ensuring comprehensive regional cooperation. An ad-hoc committee with representatives from Bangladesh, China, and India was also formed to oversee the development of these working groups and ensure ongoing stakeholder engagement. Although Bhutan was not present, efforts are underway to involve Bhutanese authorities in future discussions, highlighting the importance of their participation for the long-term resilience of the basin. These collective efforts not only strengthen the foundation for transboundary cooperation but also enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of the network’s initiatives, ensuring that they reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the communities dependent on the river.
Overcoming challenges through collaboration
The Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra River basin faces numerous challenges, including the impacts of climate change and developmental activities that are altering the natural flow and health of the river. Bangladesh, located at the lower end of the basin, is already grappling with reduced dry season flows, which affect groundwater recharge, fisheries, and irrigation. Floods, soil erosion, and sedimentation further exacerbate these challenges, leading to significant socio-economic impacts, including forced migration, loss of livelihoods, and diminished access to essential services. Despite these challenges, there is a growing recognition among the riverine countries that collaboration is not just beneficial but essential. The recent renewal of the MoU on ‘Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yaluzangbu (Yarlung Zangbo)/ Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to Bangladesh’ is a positive sign of this effort.
As highlighted in the recent report by ICIMOD and partners, Elevating River Basin Governance and Cooperation in the HKH region: Summary Report I, Yarlung-Tsangpo-Siang-Brahmaputra-Jamuna River Basin, “there is a view that gains in water security for one country must result in losses in water security for the other.” The YBBN, therefore, aims to shift this narrative from a zero-sum mentality – where one country’s gain is perceived as another’s loss – to one of shared benefits and responsibilities. By fostering greater data sharing, transparency, and joint research, the network seeks to harness the river’s full potential for the mutual benefit of all basin countries.
The path forward: a call to action
The Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra River basin stands at a crossroads – or a confluence. The challenges it faces – from climate change to geopolitical tensions – are significant, but so too are the opportunities for sustainable development through regional cooperation. The YBBN represents a critical step in this direction, offering a platform for collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and policy advancement. It operates via a basin-wide approach that addresses the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus across the basin, guided by the network’s four working groups.
By embracing this network and committing to cooperation, the riverine countries can unlock the river’s vast potential, to build a climate-resilient and sustainable future for millions of people. The YBBN is more than just a network, it is a call to action – an invitation to work together in building a prosperous and secure future for the Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra basin.
In the words of the stakeholders who gathered in Dhaka, “the key to this future lies in open dialogue, shared understanding, and a collective commitment to the wellbeing of the river and its people”. The YBBN, with ICIMOD as its secretariat, is poised to lead this effort, transforming water security from a competition into a shared goal that benefits communities across borders. As we mark World Rivers Day, this year on 22nd September, it is a poignant moment to build awareness of the essential collaboration that the YBBN aims to bring to the riverine communities of the Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra basin, to ensure the continued values that this powerful river brings to millions amidst growing challenges.