1. REPORT ON NAMIBIA PROPOSAL FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THE
STAMPRIET TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFER SYSTEM (STAS)
MULTI-COUNTRY COOPERATION MECHANISM (MCCM)

2. The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS)
The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) stretches from Central Namibia into Western Botswana and South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, and lies entirely within the Orange-Senqu River Basin.
The STAS covers a total area of km², of which 73% of the area is in Namibia, 19% in Botswana, and 8% in South Africa.
The STAS was delineated based on the occurrence of geological formations belonging to the so-called Ecca Group within the Auob and Nossob river basins.
2 ephemeral rivers (Auob and Nossob) that never reach the Orange River

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. Rationale of the Namibia proposal for the structure of the STAS MCCM
Nesting GGRETA project current structure into ORASECOM Ground Water Hydrology Committee (GWHC)

5. (current GGRETA project) Focal Points ORASECOM Structure
COUNCIL
TASK TEAMS
SECRETARIAT
COMMUNICATIONS
FINANCIAL
LEGAL
TECHNICAL
(STAS) HYDROGEOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE
Ground Water Hydrology Committee
Botswana Commissionner
Namibia
Commissionner
South Africa Commissionner
(current GGRETA project)
Focal Points
ORASECOM Structure
SADC-GMI (Invited Member)
(Hydrogeology + Model)
(Legal and institutional)
(Gender)
(Hydrogeology + Model)
(Legal and institutional)
(Gender)
(Hydrogeology + Model)
(Legal and institutional)
(Gender)

6. Rationale for a STAS MCCM
Over-arching objective: Transitioning from GGRETA project-driven cooperation to institutionalized cooperation
Short-term objective:
Continue joint study & characterization of STAS, and generate flow of data feeding the STAS numerical model
Reporting of activities at each meeting of the Ground Water Hydrology Committee (GWHC)
Long-term objective: Move from data collection & exchange to joint strategizing/advising STAS countries on management of STAS resources
Value-added:
STAS vision/perspective
consistency of direction & purpose of domestic actions
joint control of data & information feeding the STAS numerical model

7. Data collection & exchange
Core tasks
Data collection & exchange
Manage data flow feeding the STAS numerical model
Attract donor funding
Advise STAS countries on application of available/relevant SADC guidelines to the specifics of STAS
Liaise with SADC-GMI and ORASECOM

8. Legal arrangements & Funding
ORASECOM Council decision required
Each STAS country would bear the cost of its representative on the Ground Water Hydrology Committee (GWHC)

9. Advantages No changes in ORASECOM structure required
Focal points provide inputs to GWHC Commissioners
Expeditiousness of implementation
Current GGRETA project National Coordinators are replaced by GWHC Commissioners
Leanness of institutional architecture:
No secretariat facility is required
Economies of scale:
GWHC relies on support facilities available in ORASECOM
Cost to STAS countries limited to GWHC meetings

10. Consideration of possible challenges
STAS Countries will have to define next steps in order to evaluate if there are any challenges, and how to overcome them with the support of ORASECOM and UNESCO (through the GGRETA project).