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trainings on using RS data, data products, and applications for WRM. Likewise, constraints related
to RS data accessibility, availability, and accuracy can be reduced through trainings on the pros
and cons of different RS datasets, as well as information on methods for routine extraction of RS
data from a variety of sources. Additionally, trainings focused on free or low-cost RS data and
tools will assist organizations in partially overcoming financial constraints by exposing RBOs and
Ros to economical alternatives to the mainstream, often expensive, data collection and analysis
tools. Of all the constraints identified by organizations in this assessment, the constraints that
are not potentially reduced through capacity building on RS technologies are the requirements
for hardware and internet access, as well as staffing shortages. These limitations require
investments in equipment and human resources, which can pose a challenge for organizations
with constrained financial resources.

8 Conclusions from the Assessment

The WDR will focus on a demand-driven approach to provide the assistance needed by partner
organizations, while remaining cognizant of their context. To successfully assist organizations,
the WDR will support the RBOs and ROs in ways they have self-identified as being priorities for
their mission, objectives, and mandates. That is, for organizations to successfully adopt new
technologies into their routine operations, they must have the need and the desire to improve
their access and capacity to new technologies, the need to apply them, and the will to
troubleshoot when issues arise. Through this assessment, the types of technologies and
applications which are best suited to the needs of the organizations were identified. To achieve
continuous use and application, RBOs and ROs must be connected with data, products, and tools
that can be sustainably utilized given the constraints they are facing when applying new
technologies.

Majority of the organizations included in this assessment are tasked with facilitating economic
prosperity and poverty reduction through sustainable management of transboundary water
resources. Throughout this assessment, organizations indicated strong interest to participate in
the WDR program due to its potential to support them in accomplishing this mandate. Many
organizations voiced their intention to begin using, or to increase their use of, RS data. Their
motivation to use RS data was a consequence of financial constraints, awareness around
limitations related to in-situ data collection, and obstacles arising from sharing of cross-border
data by member states. These motivations were discussed in detail throughout interviews. For
example, an organization emphasized their need for RS data due to regional conflicts affecting
their ability to safely collect data in their watershed, while others described national policies as
hindrances to sharing of data regionally among member states, where some countries require
payment for data. In addition, organizations explained hesitancy in sharing of certain types of
data that could potentially cause contention among states (e.g., upstream pollution). Moreover,
organizations are eager to increase their capabilities with using data products and analytical

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