UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC

AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

International Hydrological Programme

Conflicts over water resources

Raya Marina Stephan

Water Use and Climate Change

HENVI Science Day

Helsinki, 16 April 2009

Outline

I. UNESCO’s IHP

II. PCCP

III. ISARM

IV. Case studies

I. UNESCO’s IHP

The Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO declares that‘since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of

men that the defenses of peace must be constructed’

The purpose of theOrganization is to contribute topeace and security bypromoting collaboration amongthe nations through education,science and culture (article 1)

The opening lines of UNESCO'sConstitution are engraved in tenlanguages on a stone wall in the Squareof Tolerance

The challengeThe challengeHow to putHow to put ““waterwater”” in the mindsin the minds

of people?of people?

International HydrologicalProgramme

The only global intergovernmentalscientific programme on

water resources of the UN system* Created in 1975 after the International Hydrologicaldecade* Member States define needs and plans of phases* Growing emphasis on management and social aspects* Executed by Member States and other partners

IHPIHP--VIIVII (2008(2008--2013)2013)Water Dependencies:Water Dependencies:

Systems under Stress and Societal ResponsesSystems under Stress and Societal Responses

THEME 1THEME 1:: Adapting to the Impacts of GlobalAdapting to the Impacts of GlobalChanges in River Basins & Aquifer SystemsChanges in River Basins & Aquifer Systems

THEME 2THEME 2:: Strengthening Water GovernanceStrengthening Water Governancefor Sustainabilityfor Sustainability

THEME 3THEME 3:: Ecohydrology for SustainabilityEcohydrology for SustainabilityTHEME 4THEME 4:: Water and Life Support SystemsWater and Life Support SystemsTHEME 5:THEME 5: Water EducationWater Education for Sustainablefor Sustainable

DevelopmentDevelopment

II. PCCP

From Potential Conflict

to Co-operation Potential

One of UNESCO’s contributions to theWorld Water Assessment Programme

Mission Statement

Serving UNESCO’s overallmandate:Fostering peace in humans’ minds andco-operation among Member States

To facilitate multi-level andinterdisciplinary dialogues in order tofoster peace and development related tothe management of shared waterresources

Target audiences

Member States

Donors and funding agencies

Educators at all levels

Professionals (current & future) involvedin water management

The general public

First phase outcomes 2001-2003

Contribution to WWDR1 through Chapter on SharingWater

Analysis of water conflict & co-operation field• Historical experiences, existing legal, diplomatic and systems

analysis tools, case studies and training material.• Published in TDHs (3000 Pages)

4 Short courses designed

2 Pilot courses held

Public information on the PCCP spirit throughwww.unesco.org/water/wwap/pccp

Second phase outcomes 2004-2006Research

• Contribution to WWDR2 through Chapter on Sharing Water

• Co-operation reinforced in the Lake Titicaca basin

• Review and assessment of international groundwater law

Education

• Design process launched for a Master’s programme on water conflictand co-operation

• 2 region specific courses and 34 mid and high level professionals,and around 12 trainers, trained in Latin America and South EastEurope

• Design of an electronic game on the challenges of climate changeand shared water resources management designed

Process support

• Design and production of a Conflict Resolution Support Systemsoftware

• Design of the Water Cooperation Facility concept

Third Phase - Main Tracks of Activities

• Education and Training Activities

• Research

• Process Support

PCCP Phase IIITRACK 1: EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES

PCCP training course in the Middle East for trainers in ADRtechniques.

PCCP/USAID/OSU Course for MRC representatives onconsensus building and conflict resolution

PCCP/UNESCO-IHE/MRC training programme

PCCP LA course sessions for young professionals in various LAuniversities.

PCCP training course for high level decision maker from aroundthe UN system.

Publication of a workbook on transboundary watermanagement.

PCCP joint MSc with Dundee and UNESCO-IHE.

Aqua Pax Game.

Climate Quest Game.

PCCP Phase IIITRACK 2: RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Online data base on conflict and co-operation events.

263 Wiki.

Water and History in the Jordan.

Publication of “Water for peace and for the people in the MiddleEast”, Jon Martin Trondalen

Contribution to WWDR 3.

PCCP Phase IIITRACK 3: PROCESS SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

Euphrates and Tigris Basin Development Programme.

Case study on the Mono river

Case study on the Ostua Metapan

PCCP Phase IIITRACK 4: DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS

PCCP web: www.unesco.org/water/wwap/pccp/

In English, French and Spanish.

III. ISARM

Resolution XIV-12 (June 2000)

The Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO’s IHP, representing 160 MemberStates, adopted a resolution to promote studies in regard to internationally

shared aquifers

Internationally Shared/Transboundary Aquifer Resources

ManagementISARM

OAS – FAO – UNECE – IAH – IGRAC - ESCWA

To improve the existingscientific knowledge ontransboundary aquifers

To compile an internationalinventory of transboundaryaquifers

To develop a toolkit for amanagement approach oftransboundary aquifers

Objectives:

What is a transboundary Aquifer?

Country 1

Country 2

The ISARM Initiative: five focal areas

The ISARM Project- Launch of Regional Inventories

EUROPELinks & synergies with parallel activities established e.g.

UN ECE :

Under the UN ECE Water Convention 1992on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses

and International Lakes

Inventory of transboundary aquifers in Europe

UNECE Survey of European transboundary aquifers

2. Kupa

3. Kupa

4. Una

5. Cetina

6. Neretva

7. Sava1. Dragonja

30.Pelagonija& 31.Florina

Gevgelija 32.

Sandansky34.

9. Backa & Banat

10. Srem.

12. SW Serbia

11. West Serbia

13.

20. Central Serbia

14.

29.

16. Gaber-Nesla17. Znepole18. Tran

15. Zemen

Dojran.33 35.Gotze

Delchev36.Orvilos

37.Nastan38.Smolyan

39.Rudozem40.Erma Reka

46.Rezovska

45.Malko Tarnovo

41.Svilengrad42.Orestiada

43.Svilengrad44.Topolograd

25.Vjosa

26.Pagoni27.Mourgana

28.

19. East Serbia

8

47.Meric

Middle Sarmatian-Pontian GWB .22

23.Sarmatian & 24.Upper Jurassic-Lower Cret.GWB

21.Upper Pannonian-Lower Pleistocene

2. Kupa

3. Kupa

4. Una

5. Cetina

6. Neretva

7. Sava1. Dragonja

30.Pelagonija& 31.Florina

Gevgelija 32.

Sandansky34.

9. Backa & Banat

10. Srem.

12. SW Serbia

11. West Serbia

13.

20. Central Serbia

14.

29.

16. Gaber-Nesla17. Znepole18. Tran

15. Zemen

Dojran.33 35.Gotze

Delchev36.Orvilos

37.Nastan38.Smolyan

39.Rudozem40.Erma Reka

46.Rezovska

45.Malko Tarnovo

41.Svilengrad42.Orestiada

43.Svilengrad44.Topolograd

25.Vjosa

26.Pagoni27.Mourgana

28.

19. East Serbia

8

47.Meric

Middle Sarmatian-Pontian GWB .22

23.Sarmatian & 24.Upper Jurassic-Lower Cret.GWB

21.Upper Pannonian-Lower Pleistocene

UNESCO ISARM in South-Eastern Europe (SEE)47 transboundary aquifers inventoried

The ISARM Project- Launch ofRegional Inventories

AFRICAInternational workshop

“Managing sharedaquifer resources inAfrica”, Tripoli, June

2002recommends, inter aliathe inventory and the

assessment of sharedaquifer resources in

Africa

UNESCO ISARM AFRICA

39 transboundary aquifersinventoried

ISARM SADC

An ISARM SADC initiative supported byUNESCO commenced in March 2007 inPretoria RSA. The initiative intends to

Establish a networkProvide a Mechanism for CoordinationProvide a TBA Inventory

Southern African Development Community

20 identified TBAs in SADC

The ISARM Project- Launch of Regional Inventories

Americas

ISARM launched in the Americas in 2002

UNESCO/OAS Partnership

UNESCO - OAS

ISARM of the AMERICAS

68 transboundary aquifersinventoried

2003 - 2008 ISARM Americas Phases

Phase I - Inventory ofTransboundary Aquifers of theAmericas (2003 - 2006):

Information on Hydrogeology, presentuses, expected future demand andscenarios

First Publication

Case Studies

Phase II - Institutional and Legalissues (2006 - 2007)

Socio-economic, environmental,and competitive water use issues(2007-2008)

Diagnostics of Institutional and legalframeworks in countries

Diagnostics of socio-economic,environmental And competitive water useissues

Second Publication

Case Studies

Phase III - Regional Vision forManaging TransboundaryAquifers (2008-2009)

Strategic guidelines for a regional approachfor integrated groundwater management ina transbounday context, within the currentlegal and institutional framework, taking alsointo account international legaldevelopments such as the UN ILC DraftArtcles

Strategicregionalguidelines

Third Publication

Case Studies

12 transboundary aquifers inventoried so far

The ISARM ProjectThe ISARM Project-- Launch of Regional InventoriesLaunch of Regional Inventoriesin Asiain Asia

2002 : the ILC includes in its programme ofwork the topic of “Shared Natural

Resources”

• Transboundary groundwaters

• Oil

• Natural gas

Legal aspects of Transboundary AquifersManagement

UNESCO and the United NationsInternational Law Commission (UNILC)

Within the framework of the ISARM project, amultidisciplinary ad-hoc IHP task force of expertshas been established by UNESCO to assist theSpecial Rapporteur of the UNILC on thepreparation of a new international legalinstrument on transboundary aquifers

The draft articles on the law oftransboundary aquifers

• Between 2003 & 2008 : five reports on thesub-topic of transboundary groundwaters

• 2008 : the ILC adopts the draft articles on thelaw of TB aquifes at second readingDeferred to the UN GA with the followingrecommendation

a.Adoption of Resolution, with draft articles inannex

b.At a later stage elaboration of a convention

Resolution A/RES/63/124 on the lawof transboundary aquifers

• Adopted by UN General Assembly 11 Dec 2008• Includes the draft articles in its annex

• Encourages the States concerned to makeappropriate arrangements for the propermanagement of their transboundary aquifers,taking into account the provisions of the draftarticles.

• Consideration of the final form (Convention orother) in 2011.

Education and training in transboundary groundwatermanagement as an instrument of dialogue and

communication

Specific objectives and outputs of the trainingprogramme:

teach the scientists the specific aspects of transboundarygroundwater, including the needs to harmonize the scientificlanguages and methods;

create the capacities of policy-makers and scientists toexchange and work together on transboundary groundwatermanagement, e.g. take part in negotiations, build and operatepartnerships, with an emphasis on the cross-culturaldimensions;

create the capacities of scientists and human and politicalscientists, to work in pluridisciplinary and multicultural teams.

An expert workshop held in November 2006 discusseda pilot programme (rationale, contents, pedagogicalmethods) and its practical implementation

A first pilot course was held in Thessaloniki, Greece(October 2008)

IV. Case studies

NUBIAN SANDSTONEAQUIFER SYSTEM (NSAS)

• Joint Authority (Egypt & Libya)created 1992

• Sudan & Chad joined later (1996,1999)

• Mandate:– oversee strategic planning– develop monitoring network– exchange data & information on

gw & extraction• 2000: two technical agreements on

data collection, sharing & accesswithin project framework

• Creation of NARIS (regionaldatabase)

• GEF project started in 2006– involvement of Joint Authority

SASS:Algeria, Libya, Tunisia

SASS: CONSULTATION MECHANISMStage 1 (12/2002): technical level (temporary)

Focus on data collection, modelling & confidence building

Comitéde

pilotage

Unité decoordinationSASS/OSS

Point focalAlgérie(ANRH)

Point focalTunisie(DGRE)

Point focalLibye(GWA)

Institutions -centres derecherche

Institutions -centres derecherche.

Institutions-centres derecherche

Functions• manage hydrogeological data base & simulation model;• develop & follow-up reference observation network;• process, analyze and validate data relating to the knowledge of the

resource;• develop databases on socio-economic activities in the region in

relation to water uses;• develop & publish indicators on the resource and its uses in the

three countries;• promote & facilitate the conduct of joint or coordinated studies and

research;• formulate & implement training programmes;• update SASS model on a regular basis;• devise & formulate proposals relating to permanent consultation

mechanism (Phase 2).

PermanentTechnicalCommittee

SASS: CONSULTATION MECHANISMStage 2 (06/2008): political level (permanent)

PermanentTechnical

Committee

Council of Ministers ofWater

(Algeria, Libya, Tunisia)

Workinggroups

CoordinationUnit (OSS)

Tunisia

Libya

Algeria

NationalCommittees

Functions(proposed at the outset)

• In addition to those of temporary mechanism,– definition of policy & strategies for aquifer utilization,

protection, conservation & management;– definition of priority zones for aquifer development &

management plan formulation, and plan formulation;– endorsement of projects with possible adverse

effects;– definition of management measures to be taken by

states (control of water use & pollution,conservation);

– formulation of recommendations aiming at theharmonization of legislation.

IULLEMEDEN AQUIFER SYSTEM(IAS):

Mali, Niger, NigeriaIAS: CONSULTATION MECHANISM

Stage 1 (10/2006) - temporary

Nigeria

Technicalcommittee

Nigeria

Technicalcommittee

NigerTechnicalcommittee

NigerTechnicalcommittee

Secretary(facilitator)Secretary

(facilitator)

MaliTechnicalcommittee

MaliTechnicalcommittee

Steering Committee(political level)

Steering Committee(political level)

Functions (Stage 1)

• improvement & updating of common knowledgebase;– definition of initial monitoring & assessment programme

(water quantity and quality, land uses and degradationwithin recharge areas),

– overseeing the harmonization of procedures andmethodologies,

– definition of guidelines for database maintenance.

• definition of risk assessment methodologies;• identification & mapping of vulnerable zones;• paving the way for permanent mechanism (for

Phase 2).

IAS: CONSULTATION MECHANISMStage 2 - permanent

Steering Committee(Political level)

Steering Committee(Political level)

Executive SecretariatMaintenance of thedatabase; coordination ofthe work of the nationalcommittees; preparation ofthe decisions of theSteering Committee

Executive SecretariatMaintenance of thedatabase; coordination ofthe work of the nationalcommittees; preparation ofthe decisions of theSteering Committee

NigeriaTechnicalcommittee

NigeriaTechnicalcommittee

NigerTechnicalcommittee

NigerTechnicalcommittee

MaliTechnicalcommittee

MaliTechnicalcommittee

Functions (Stage 2)

• In addition to those of transitional mechanism,– advice on programmes & projects which are likely to create

situations of risk, or to cause damage to the IAS resources;– definition of risk management measures;– coordination of integrated development programmes;– formulation of recommendations for harmonizing the legal

and institutional frameworks;– mobilization of financial resources;– prevention and settlement of disputes;– preparation of annual report on the state of the IAS.

Question of housing ofmechanism

• c/o existing water institution?– in this case NBA, which is too large and does not cover

gw– but in this case the IAS would be given low priority

• mechanism as autonomous entity– too costly– objections would be raised, as the NBA is already in

place• existing neutral regional institution (ECOWAS)

Thank you