1. Thessaloniki 23-24 April 2007 Dimitris Faloutsos The Petersberg Process Phase II / Athens Declaration Process and the GEF IW:LEARN Enhancing management of Shared Water Resources in SEE Transboundary Groundwaters in South-Eastern Europe: Assessment and Future Perspectives.

2. Most river basins, lake basins and major aquifers in SEE are shared between two or more countries Most river basins, lake basins and major aquifers in SEE are shared between two or more countries - About 90 % of the area of SEE is within international basins - Twelve or more transboundary rivers flowing into the Adriatic, the Aegean and the Black Seas. More than half of the respective basins are shared by three or more riparian states. 1/11

3. Water quantity and quality management Transboundary aquifers management (quantity, quality) Navigation Balancing conflicting interests to ensure ecosystem and biodiversity conservation Management of emergencies Challenges for transboundary water resources in SEE - Examples Issues even more complex for shared waters because of socio-economic conditions, differences in managing institutions, legal framework, etc 2/11

4. GEF IW:LEARN Objective To strengthen Transboundary Waters Resources Management by facilitating learning and information sharing among stakeholders. Petersberg Process Phase II / Athens Declaration Process provide the framework for activities in SEE to be supported through the GEF IW:LEARN Activity D2 GEF IW:LEARN Activity D2: “Face-to-face and virtual training, knowledge sharing and capacity building cooperation between stakeholders in Southeastern Europe and Mediterranean sub-region” Goals - to contribute to the cross-fertilization between competent organizations and persons with roles within the river commissions and other joint bodies in SEE - to allow for the introduction of new elements and experiences from outside the region. Contribute to 3/11

5. International Conference on “Sustainable Development for Lasting Peace: Shared Water, Shared Future, Shared Knowledge”, organized in May 2003, at Vouliagmeni / Athens, Greece “Athens Declaration” concerning Shared Water, Shared Future and Shared Knowledge: a long-term process to support cooperative activities for IWRM of shared water resources in the SEE and Mediterranean regions Petersberg Phase II Athens Declaration Process Jointly coordinated by the World Bank and the Government of Germany Jointly coordinated by the Government of GreeceWorld Bank and the Process / GEF IW:LEARN is supporting synergies GWP-Med Jointly ccordinated by provides technical and administrative support World Bank "Petersberg Round Tables on Transboundary Waters," was launched in 1998 and highlighted water as an opportunity for close regional cooperation from a global perspective through a series of Round Tables. Phase II focuses on specific challenges, such as furthering transboundary development and conservation programmes in smaller catchment basins of Southeastern Europe. 4/11

6. UNECE UNDP - Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS (RBEC), Bratislava UNESCO-IHP, ISARM, INWEB Support the Process and the Project European Union (EU) integration processes and Stabilisation and Association process of the European Union Other ongoing initiatives in the region Complement Contribute to the scope and objectives of the - Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI) - GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean 5/11

7. Build capacity and share experience on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and assist in drafting and putting into action local IWRM plans as a response to the targets of the Johannesburg Summit, 2002. Main objective: Countries of focus Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Romania,Serbia May be included where relevant Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Slovenia, Turkey 6/11

8. The Process would not directly support investments However it would - provide the framework for exchange of the necessary information and experience that would - support the creation of conditions that would facilitate investment to take place 7/11

9. Work-program 2006 - 2007 Towards the realization of the objectives 8/11

10. Petersberg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process WORK PROGRAMME 2006 - 2007 International Roundtables / Workshops Targeted Small and Medium Workshops, Study Tours and Site Visits Studies Activities in support of Education for Sustainable Development Activities in support of the Petersberg- Phase II / Athens Declaration Process implementation International Roundtables / Workshops “Protection and Sustainable Use of Transboundary Waters in South-Eastern Europe”, Berlin, Germany 5-7 December 2005 Integrated Shared Lake Basin Management in Southeastern Europe, Ohrid, FYR Macedonia, 12-14 October 2006 Principles for Multipurpose Management in the Sava River Basin, Zagreb, 15 - 17 November 2006 Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in SEE, Slovenia 12 – 14 2007 More to follow in 2008 9/11

11. International Roundtables / Workshops “Protection and Sustainable Use of Transboundary Waters in South-Eastern Europe”, Berlin, Germany 5-7 December 2005 Integrated Shared Lake Basin Management in Southeastern Europe, Ohrid, FYR Macedonia, 12-14 October 2006 Principles for Multipurpose Management in the Sava River Basin, Zagreb, 15 - 17 November 2006 Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in SEE, Slovenia 12 – 14 2007 More to follow in 2008 10/11 Jointly organized by: GWP-Med Slovenian Ministry for the Environment and Spatial Planning Supported primarily by: GEF IW:LEARN Activity D2 Slovenian Ministry for the Environment and Spatial Planning Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in SEE, Slovenia 12 – 14 November 2007 provide a dialogue Forum for identification of new and discussion of all relevant ideas and challenges regarding shared groundwater management in SEE increase the visibility of success stories and good practices that may inspire similar initiatives contribute to the building of capacity for shared groundwater management through sharing of experience assess the status of cooperation between Countries on shared groundwater provide the ground for the coordination of initiatives at regional and national level

12. Petersberg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process WORK PROGRAMME 2006 - 2007 International Roundtables / Workshops Targeted Small and Medium Workshops, Study Tours and Site Visits Studies Activities in support of Education for Sustainable Development Activities in support of the Petersberg- Phase II / Athens Declaration Process implementation Targeted Workshops follow up the activities undertaken so far within the joint Process and sustain and strengthen its outcomes would be focused on specific aspects of transboundary water resources management aiming to provide practical and applicable knowledge to the participants a first set of targeted workshops will focus on the hydrographical network of the Southwestern Balkan Peninsula that comprise of the Shared Lakes Prespa, Ohrid and Shkoder and Drin River Basin and Sava River Basin 11/11

13. Dimitris Faloutsos e-mail: dimitris@gwpmed.orgdimitris@gwpmed.org Visit www.watersee.net www.gwpmed.org