Dam Safety Assurance ― Global Comparative Assessment of Legal and Institutional Frameworks

Dam safety is central to public protection and economic security. Aging portfolios of large dams, increasing populations, and rapid urbanization require the development of legal and institutional frameworks for dam safety that can secure water supplies for hydropower generation, improve food security through irrigation, and enhance resilience to floods and droughts. This book provides a systematic review of the legal and institutional frameworks for dam safety in 51 countries with varying economic, political, and cultural circumstances. These case studies inform a range of legal, institutional, technical, and financial options for developing frameworks for sustainable dam safety assurance that apply to a variety of different portfolio and country-specific circumstances.The analysis employs a regulatory mix approach to develop a continuum of alternative options for dam safety assurance that are contingent upon the country context and portfolio characteristics. It informs decision-makers about the merits of the different options and identifies the necessary supporting capacity to assist them in systematically developing interventions to enhance dam safety. By identifying the essential elements and accounting for portfolio characteristics, this tool can help in establishing enhanced regulatory regimes and identifying gaps in existing legal and institutional frameworks.

The World Bank came into formal existence in 1945 following the international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements. It is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The organization's activities are focused on education, health, agriculture and rural development, environmental protection, establishing and enforcing regulations, infrastructure development, governance and legal institutions development. The World Bank is made up of two unique development institutions owned by its 185 Member Countries. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries and the International Development Association (IDA), which focuses on the poorest countries in the world.