1. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Knowledge & Informationas a basis to establish transboundary cooperation: the experience of the North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) Knowledge & Information as a basis to establish transboundary cooperation: the experience of the North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) UNW-DPC International Workshop Institutional capacity Development in Transboundary Basins Bonn, 10-12 November 2008 Ousmane S. DIALLO Coordinator of the Water Programme Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS)

2. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 OUTLINE 1.Overview of the OSS & Water issues in the circum-Sahara 2.Key characteristics & issues of the NWSAS 3.Capacity in the context of IWRM 4.Knowledge & Information for transboundary cooperation 5.Lessons & Conclusion

3. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 1. OSS & Water issues in the circum-Sahara  22 African countries in the circum-Sahara  5 countries from the North  4 African Sub-Regional Organisations (IGAD, UMA, CENSAD, CILSS)  International & UN Organisations  Civil Society The Circum-Sahara region Joint management of shared WR for economic integration & sustainaible development in Africa NWSAS IAS IGAD SMAS TTAS LCAS Work in progress on major transboundary aquifers Generating, Managing & Disseminating information to support sustainable NRM

4. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Less than 9% of total renewable WR are in Africa More than 300 millions of people are water-stressed in Africa Water is a mojor stake in the circum-Sahara Water stress PNUE, 2008 Renewable water per capita PNUE, 2008 But Africa is endowed with a huge potential of WR

5. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Environment Degradation  Sustainability Political & Institutional Conflict  Cooperation Economical Fragmentation  Integration Balance of compromises A potential for cooperation & sustainable development Objectives of transboundary cooperation

6. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 2. Key characteristics & issues of the NWSAS  Aride to saharan climate conditions  Area: 1.03 million km 2  Algeria: 700,000 km 2  Libya: 250,000 km 2  Tunisia: 80,000 km 2 CI CT Fig. 1 : extension des formations du SASS TC IC  Increased & intensive abstraction Rate: 1.5 km 3 /y  Major threats & risks  Limited knowledge & capacity  WR: key developmental resource for the countries  Need for joint management & cooperation  Superposition of 2 main deep aquifer layers  Reserves: 30 000 km 3  Recharge rate: 1 km 3 /y Livestock Tourism Agriculture Water supply

7. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 The Consultation Mechanism Technical tools update Institutional dynamics Political agenda 2007: - Agreement on the structure, operation & funding modalities; - Ownership by the three countries; - Coordination Unit (CU) hosted by OSS. 2008: - Establishment of the CU 2005: Ministerial declaration on the consultation mechanism

8. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 3. Capacity in the context of IWRM Definitions: Capacity: the ability of individuals, institutions and societies to perform functions, solve problems, & set & achieve objectives in a sustainable manner. (UNDP) Capacity Development: the process through which individuals, organisations & societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set & achieve their own development objectives over time. (UNDP) Political will and a strategic approach to address the issues of capacity building are essential. The biggest challenges that must be addressed to reach the African Water Vision (2025) and the MDGs is human & institutional capacity building (AMCOW, PNAFCOM 2003).

9. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Capacity required for sustainable joint management & development of shared WR based on IWRM: -Technical: -Technical: assesment/modeling, knowledge, M&E, information technology, hydrodynamics, infrastructure, utilities, geography, ecology, climate variability/change, link to national issues, etc. -Institutional: strategic leadership, human resources, core resources, project & process management, external links, accountability & voice mechanisms, etc. -Political: agreements, vision, joint development, integration, economy, hydrosolidarity, regulation, legislative, legal, etc.

10. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Institutional Capacity Development Institutional Capacity underlies the institution’s performance. Capacity is understood as the six interrelated areas below. Strategic leadership Dimensions of human resources Core resources Project/ Programme management Process management Interinstitu- tional linkages 1 2 3 4 5 6 Interrelated areas

11. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Capacity Development steps in NWSAS Capacity Technical Institu- tional Political 4. K.& I. for transboundary cooperation 1 2

12. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Knowledge improvement RESULTS: Common mgt. toolsCommon mgt. tools & language & language Understanding & Understanding & common vision common vision Capacity to decide Capacity to decide & have common & have common solutions solutions Basin awareness Basin awareness CC: 1st step for CC: 1st step for adaptation strategy adaptation strategyWHAT? Water monitoring networks Water monitoring networks qty/qly; rech/abs qty/qly; rech/abs Data & information mgnt. Data & information mgnt. system system Modeling: global & sub Modeling: global & sub -models -models Training sessions Training sessions WHY? Assessment, hyrodynamics Assessment, hyrodynamics Accesible & reliable data, Accesible & reliable data, System boudaries, scenario System boudaries, scenario devpt., impacts, risks devpt., impacts, risks Data mgt. tools, dialogue, Data mgt. tools, dialogue, transboundary issues transboundary issues HOW? Involvement of key Involvement of key stakeholders: common stakeholders: common studies & surveys studies & surveys Development of mgt. tools Development of mgt. tools Training sessions Training sessions Scientific cooperation Scientific cooperation Technical dimension The case of the NWSAS

13. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Joint management of SWR RESULTS: HR developedHR developed Agreement on Agreement on structure & funding structure & funding modalities modalities Improved legal & Improved legal & institutional context with enhanced transparency & accountabilityWHAT? Strategic leadership Strategic leadership Dimensions of HR Dimensions of HR Core resources Core resources Project management Project management Process management Process management Inter-institutional linkages Inter-institutional linkages WHY? Governance, Structure Governance, Structure HR needs, HR needs, Infrastructure, TechnologyInfrastructure, Technology Finance Finance Planning, Implementaion Planning, Implementaion M&E, Communications M&E, Communications Networks, Partnerships Networks, Partnerships HOW? Initial deliberation & talks Initial deliberation & talks Joint meetings (convergence Joint meetings (convergence & consensus) & consensus) Capacity of national bodies Capacity of national bodies Institutional dimension The case of the NWSAS

14. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 Transboundary cooperation RESULTS: Political will Political will Ministerial Ministerial Declaration Declaration Full ownership: Full ownership: process driven by process driven by the countries the countries Transboundary Transboundary cooperation in place cooperation in place WHAT? Political commitment Political commitment Structure of the joint Structure of the joint management framework management framework Operation modalities Operation modalities Funding modalities Funding modalities WHY? Transboundary cooperation Transboundary cooperation Governance of shared WR Governance of shared WR Agreement for equal invol- Agreement for equal invol- vement of the countries vement of the countries Facilitation of political will Facilitation of political will & action & action Allocation of resources Allocation of resources HOW? Advocacy for joint Advocacy for joint management management Trust & Confidence Trust & Confidence Ministerial Declaration Ministerial Declaration Agreements Agreements Political dimension The case of the NWSAS

15. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 5. Lessons and Conclusion 1.In North Africa, GWR are crucial & strategic resources. 2.Knowledge improvement is a prerequisite for the management of these resources. 3.In TGWR, IWRM is essential to start with technical consultation by developing monitoring & management tools. 4.Need to involve people affected by taking into consideration theirs concerns with the information they understand. 5.Progress cannot be made unless strong need & political committment are in place. 6.Outcomes must be relevant to policy makers & win their willingness to make necessary changes. 7.The institutional context: general principles apply, but need to be adapted to the specifics.

16. UNW-DPC 10-12 Nov. 2008 5. Lessons and Conclusion 8.Provide advice to AMCOW:strengthening science-policy interactions. 9.Advice AMCOW for public information & awareness on the importance of GWR in Africa. 10.Strengthen GWR management & protection institutions & to build capacity in those areas. 11.Promote cooperative management of shared aquifers. 12.Promote education & training & trigger national & regional initiatives to address capacity building for users & decision-makers. 13.Result: appropriate capacity (policy & legislation); appropriate institutions & human resources to plan & implement sustainable GW utilisation