1. Towards improved governance of transboundary aquifers in Southern Africa:
The establishment of the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS)
Multi-Country Cooperation Mechanism (MCCM)
Piet Kenabatho, Thato Setloboko, Bertram Swartz, Maria
Amakali, Kwazikwakhe Majola, Ramogale Sekwele, Tales
Carvalho Resende and Rapule Pule

2. The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS)
The STAS lies entirely within the Orange-Senqu River Basin.
The STAS covers a total area of km² (73% of the area in Namibia, 19% in Botswana, and 8% in South Africa).
The STAS is a large farming area with approximately 1200 farms (mostly in Namibia), out of which 80 are irrigation farms
Groundwater use: 52% irrigation, 32% stock watering, 16% domestic use
No mining and industrial activities
Area lightly populated (approximately inhabitants)
Annual groundwater abstraction: 20Mm3 (around 70% in the Stampriet area)

3. The GGRETA project
Governance of Groundwater Resources in Transboundary Aquifers (GGRETA) project:
Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Implemented by UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP)
Phase 1 ( ): In-depth assessment of the STAS
Phase 2 ( ):
Capacity-building modules on groundwater modeling, legal and institutional, and gender issues
Development of the STAS numerical model
Set the baseline for institutionalizing cooperation over the STAS

4. Baseline for institutionalizing cooperation over the STAS

5. Starting point (GGRETA Phase 1)
In-depth Transboundary Multidisciplinary Assessment
Framework for dialogue on transboundary aquifers management: “STAS family”
Water Diplomacy
From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential
Trust-building
Stakeholders mapping, identifying issues and interests
Capacity-building modules:
Modeling
Groundwater governance
Gender
International and domestic water law
Capacity-building Trainings on water diplomacy (multilevel governance, stakholder linking)
Consensus-building
Better understanding of water cooperation benefits to stakeholders at national (e.g. Governments, Diplomats) and local level (e.g. Farmers)
Refinement of GGRETA Phase 1 assessments
Update of joint database
Studies on the impact of climate change
Development and upgrade of innovative tools
Model
Science for Transboundary Multidisciplinary Assessment
Achievements
Establishment of the STAS Multi-Country Cooperation Mechanism (MCCM)
Strengthened cross‐border dialogue and cooperation
Facilitation of governance reforms

6. The relevance of the STAS MCCM
First arrangement on transboundary aquifers since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2016
First operational governance mechanism to be nested in a river basin organization (i.e. ORASECOM), thus fully capturing the IWRM approach and directly contributing to the implementation of SDG Target 6.5 both at national and transboundary level.

7. Background and key dates
May 2017 (3rd ORASECOM Ground Water Hydrology Committee Meeting):
Namibia presented a proposal to nest the STAS Multi-Country Cooperation Mechanism (MCCM) structure into the ORASECOM Ground Water Hydrology Committee.
August 2017 (ORASECOM Council Meeting):
Commissioners supported the nesting of the STAS MCCM at the ORASECOM Council Meeting.
November 2017 (ORASECOM Forum of the Parties):
Ministers responsible for water set milestones for the operationalization of the STAS MCCM:

8. Objectives of the STAS MCCM
The over-arching objective of a STAS MCCM is to transition from GGRETA project-driven cooperation to permanent institutionalized cooperation among the countries sharing the STAS within the ORASECOM structure. 
In the short term, the STAS MCCM will:
continue the joint study and characterization of STAS,
generate flow of data feeding the STAS borehole database and numerical model (once operational), and
report on activities at each meeting of the GWHC.
In the long term, the vision is to move from data collection & exchange to joint strategizing/advising STAS countries on management of the aquifer and its resources.

10. Operationalization of the STAS MCCM
March 2018:
Guidance and recommendations provided by Member States for the finalization of the UNESCO-ORASECOM TORs for the operationalization of the STAS MCCM
July 2018:
Finalization of the joint UNESCO-ORASECOM TORs for the operationalization of the STAS MCCM

11. Next steps
Assessment of the information needs of ORASECOM and current capabilities of ORASECOM and national information systems:
A basic needs assessment will be done with an assessment of the current capabilities of ORASECOM and national information systems. 
Development of protocols for collection and database maintenance:
Protocol for data collection and database management will be developed to support future updating of the systems. 
Training on operation and maintenance of ORASECOM GIS viewer and data protocols

12. Key messages and lessons learnt
KIS: Keep It Simple
Knowledge gaps exist
Trust-building among stakeholders is key
RBOs can play a key role:
Existence of a strong RBO that gives focus to groundwater was critical to elevate and sustain cooperation on a particular aquifer
Training the future generation:
Synergies with universities need to be strengthen to ensure sustainability, in particular on topics such groundwater governance