WGP-AS

UNDP/RBAS Water Governance Programme for Arab States (WGP-AS)

NATIONAL CAPACITY NEEDS FOR THE EFFECTIVE JOINT MANAGEMENT OF

SHARED WATER RESOURCES IN ARAB STATES

June 7-9, 2010

In Partnership with:

National Capacity Needs for Considering Environmental Flows

in Management of Shared Water Resources

Sameh Afifi, Ph.D., Professor

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Contents Common Transboundary Environmental

Problems Analysis of Environmental Impacts National SAP for Environment Recommendations for required national

capacities to handle environmental flows in mgmt of shared water resources

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Fact Water scarcity in the Arab region, coupled

with the level and pace of socio-economic advancement in several countries has important implications for the efficacy with which legislature and institutional regimes are developed and applied for the promotion of environmental joint management of shared water resources.

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Consequences The imperatives of rapid social and

economic development could influence the political will to initiate, implement and enforce appropriate environmental policies and laws especially in upstream countries.

These development imperatives often circumscribe the limits of resources available for environmental protection.

Water management agencies would implement &operate projects under severe and reduced shared water resources.

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Consequence (continued) The relatively low level of public

awareness, particularly environmental awareness as well as lack of awareness on water human rights provide little to trigger a sense of urgency and resolve for political and legislative action for environmental sustainable development of shared water resources

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COMMON TRANSBOUNDARY

PROBLEMS

Major Concern II: Pollution

1. Pollution from discharges2. Microbiological pollution3. Nutrient over enrichment/eutrophication4. Hydrocarbon pollution5. Heavy metal pollution6. Radioactive pollution7. Suspended solids/accelerated

sedimentation8. Excessive salinity9. Thermal pollution

Major Concern III: Habitat and community modification

13. Loss of ecosystems or ecotones14. Modification of ecosystems or ecotones15. Invasive Species

Major Concern V: Fluctuating Climate

16. Freshwater flow fluctuations such as drought and floods

17. Sea level change (including saltwater intrusion)

Major Concern IV: Exploitation of fisheries & other living resources

19. Over-exploitation20. Excessive bycatch and discards21. Destructive fishing practices22. Decreased viability of stocks through

contamination and disease 23. Impact on biological and genetic diversity

Major Concern I. Freshwater Flow Modifications

10. Excessive withdrawals of surface and/or groundwater for human uses

11. Changes in freshwater availability12. Changes in flow regimes from structures

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Analyzing Environmental Impacts when managing SWRs

Describe the problem (using available data showing changes over time, etc.)

Examine the impact of the environmental problem on the water supply/allocation

Examine social and economic consequences of the problem

WGP-ASNational Capacity Building: Establishing National Institution that can address

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP)For Environment

A SAP is a negotiated policy document

It establishes clear priorities for action to resolve the priority transboundary waters environmental problems

It identifies policy, legal and institutional reforms and investments needed to address the priority transboundary waters environmental problems

The preparation of a SAP is a cooperative process among key stakeholders in the countries of the region.

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Overall Strategic Environmental Concerns in Shared Water Resources Management

Understand the environmental concerns of countries’ international waters and to work collaboratively

Build the national capacity of existing institutions for addressing transboundary water-related environmental concerns

Implement measures that address the priority transboundary environmental concerns

Play a catalytic role to leverage co-financing for sustainably managing international waters

WGP-ASRECOMMENDATIONSHandling Environmental Flows in Mgmt of

Shared Water Resources- DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MYTHS AND REALITY- ACCOMMODATE ENVIRONMENTAL EXTRANALITIES

COSTS INTO MANAGEMENT OF SWRs- ASSOCIATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WITH

WATER USAGE/ALLOCATION- ESTA BLISH THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Institutional arrangements at the national level Institutional arrangements at the transboundary level Institutional arrangements related to quality systems Frameworks for exchanging and accessing information

WGP-ASRECOMMENDATIONSHandling Environmental Flows in Mgmt of

Shared Water Resources

- SECURE funding FOR MONITORING & ASSESSMENT

- DEVELOPING Step-by-step approach Character of step-by-step approach Prioritizing monitoring efforts Use of models in monitoring and assessment Using pilot projects

- NEED TO EXPAND ROLE OF national institutions handling EIAs IN PROJECTS RELATED TO SWRs and not just leave it to the donors’ agencies

Some of these recommendations are listed in NECE documentation

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RECOMMENDATIONSHandling Environmental Flows in Mgmt of

Shared Water Resources (continued)- IMPLEMENTING MONITORING PROGRAMMES Monitoring and assessment cycle Information needs Information strategy Monitoring/data collection

- MANAGING DATA AND MA KING ASSESSMENTS Data management Assessment methodology

- Reporting and USING information Reporting Information use

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Thank You