The Toolkit underwent an extensive and inclusive horizontal consultative process designed to ensure that each relevant OECD body contributes to its findings. It was developed with the active engagement and under the supervision of: the Environment Policy Committee (EPOC), the Committee for Agriculture (COAG), the Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC) and its Water Governance Initiative (WGI), the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) and its Network of Economic Regulators (NER), the Public Governance Committee (PGC) and the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), as well as relevant stakeholders such as Business at OECD, Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) and non-governmental environmental organisations (through the European Environmental Bureau). The delegates of these groups are gratefully acknowledged.
An Informal Water Liaison Group gathered permanent delegations to the OECD. It was brought together to discuss key milestones in the process and co-ordinate the Secretariat’s interactions with experts from Adherent countries.
The process was steered by an inter-directorate working group, consisting of all members of the Secretariat of the OECD bodies, who co-produced the Toolkit. Catherine Gamper co-ordinated the whole process and Mikaela Rambali (both from the Environment Directorate) was the lead author and particularly instrumental in addressing comments received from delegates. The Toolkit was co-produced by a horizontal OECD team composed of Celine Kauffmann, Martha Baxter and Anna Pietikainen (economic regulation), Jack Radish and Charles Baubion (disasters and catastrophic risks) from the Public Governance Directorate; Guillaume Gruère and Makiko Shigemitsu (agriculture) from the Trade and Agriculture Directorate; Aziza Akhmouch and Oriana Romano (governance) from the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities; Mamiko Yokoi-Arai and Leigh Wolfrom (financial affairs) from the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs. Section VI on Good Governance draws extensively on the 2018 report “Implementing the OECD Principles on Water Governance”.
Xavier Leflaive supported the process, building on his experience with the negotiation of the Recommendation in 2016. Céline Folsché provided constructive legal advice. Brooke Demchuk helped with the dedicated survey. Ines Reale provided seamless administrative support. Anthony Cox, Deputy Director, Amy Plantin and Simon Buckle, Heads of Division, OECD Environment Directorate, ironed the final stages of the process.
The Secretariat gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Republic of Korea.