IWRM in GEF-Supported International Waters and their Transboundary Basins Dann M. Sklarew, Ph.D Director/Chief Technical Advisor GEF IW:LEARN

Global Environment Facility Only new funding source for environment to emerge from the 1992 Earth Summit Aim: To forge cooperation and finance actions in the context of sustainable development that address critical threats to the global environment. Support country-driven projects, implemented in partnership with UNDP, UNEP and World Bank. > 1,400 projects implemented in > 140 developing and transitional countries through > $4.5 billion allocated by GEF and > $15 billion leveraged since 1991

GEF Focal Areas GEF focal areas include: Biodiversity Loss (including aquatic) Climate Change / Climate Adaptation International Waters (IW) Degradation Ozone Depletion + Persistent Organic Pollution (POPs) & Land Degradation (both added in 2002)

IW Focal Area Aim: To assist nations in resolving and preventing transboundary surface- or ground-water problems as well as balancing competing uses of water resources by – (1)learning to work together; (2)identifying and adopting cross-sectoral policy, legal, and institutional reforms; (3)testing feasibility and effectiveness of on-the-ground priority investments to address transboundary concerns towards sustainable development.

GEF IW Financing Since 1991 TOTAL >80 projects >$1.7 Billion, of which $635 million from GEF  in transition to implementation

GEF IW Issues are … Freshwater shortage Water pollution Habitat and community modification Unsustainable exploitation of fisheries and other living resources Global change adaptation … IWRM Issues

Why Transboundary Waters? River, lake, groundwater basin is the unit of IWRM integration. >40% of lands surface is in transboundary river basins, and most of the rest above transboundary groundwater. In such basins, ultimate cause of conflict, threat or degradation to water resources often crosses national boundaries. International problems require transboundary solutions!

How GEF IW promotes IWRM? Nations’ adaptive IWRM to balance uses via cycle of – Basin-wide Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA): What are key usage & sustainability issues? Basin-wide Strategic Action Programme (SAP): What are priority joint actions needed? Plans? National Implementation, with policy, legal and institutional reforms, investments & demonstrations Monitoring & Evaluation

TDA/SAP v. IWRM Process GEF TDA/SAP CycleGWP IWRM Cycle TDAEstablish Status, Analyze Gaps SAPBuild Goals, Commitment, Strategy and Action Plan ImplementImplement Frameworks Monitor & EvaluateM&E for Progress

Key tasks in a GEF TDA/SAP process 1. Developing project idea2. Joint fact finding 3. Preparing the SAP Form inter- ministerial committees Project process initiated. Facilitator identified Identify/consult with stakeholder groups Form technical task team (TTT) Design project concept Conduct stakeholder analysis/public involvement plan Project approved by Council Form Steering Committee (SC) Identify & locate trans- boundary issues (Scaling Scoping Screening) Gather and interpret information on environ. and socio-economic consequences of each issue Complete causal chain analysis Complete analysis of institutions, laws, policies and projected investments Integrate draft TDA Steering Committee appoints additional experts to Technical Task Team Hold stakeholders meeting to review TDA TDA adopted by Steering Committee TTT proposes ‘vision statement’ of LT EcoQOs. Appoint national and regional SAP formulation teams Conduct feasibility study of options and social soundness Political consultation on implementation of selected options (SC, IM Committees) Agree on national/regional institutional framework Prepare monitoring/evaluation indicators Produce draft SAP Partnership ConferenceNational endorsement Develop GEF intervention(s) Ministerial Conference, adopt SAP Funding Set operational objectives Brainstorming LT EcoQOs and options for achieving them

Recent TDA/SAP Examples

GEF River Basin IWRM As presented today, GEF river projects are taking lead in IWRM in their regions, e.g., Danube River Basin (Eastern Europe) Niger River Basin (West Africa) Sao Francisco Basin (Brazil) Some focus specifically on environmental flows (e.g., Mekong River and Okavango River) … + many other river basins (see

GEF Groundwater IWRM “Water is harvested from the land.” (save principal) -Sunita Narain, Center for Science and Environment Need to integrate entire water cycle (air & land too): Examples: Guaraní Aquifer, possibly the largest aquifer in world, under 4 countries in South America 3 aquifer systems in Africa

Role of Public Participation GEF policy mandates public participation in all projects, critical to effective, multi-sectoral IWRM. Participation includes access to information, learning, participatory decision making, and justice Participation at 3 institutional levels (international, national inter-ministerial and local) Engaging communities through small grants programs, social marketing, demos and NGO forums (e.g., Danube Environment Forum)

GEF IW:LEARN “We need networks for sharing information (from demonstrations) and dissemination.” -Margaret Catley-Carlson (GWP) Overall, the IW:LEARN project aims: To promote transfer of experiences across projects experimenting with IWRM To strengthen IWRM by facilitating structured learning and information sharing among stakeholders.

IW:LEARN A.Facilitating access to information about transboundary water resources (iwlearn.net) B.Structured learning among projects and partners C.Biennial International Waters Conferences D.Testing innovative approaches to build IWRM capacity. E.Inter-project staff exchanges.

For more information Please visit… –GEF IW:LEARN Web Site –GEF International Waters Resource Centre Or contact IW:LEARN Tel: +1 (202)