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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Switzerland’s contribution to the UNESCO-IHP governance of transboundary aquifers programme

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs / Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC (
Government
)
#SDGAction50766
    Description
    Description

    Groundwater covers a significant part of the world's water demand, particularly in areas with a relatively dry climate. The utilisation of the resources in transboundary aquifers is continuing and expanding. However, at the same time, the institutional effectiveness of the governance of transboundary aquifers is impaired by the institutional design around water resources, which is primarily focused on surface waters. As a result, groundwater resource governance regimes lack data, information, adequate management and governance at national and regional levels. There is therefore a need to create qualified technical capacity among all stakeholder groups worldwide in order develop and implement sound policies.
    Through UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) the Governance of transboundary aquifers (GTA) programme has the overall objective to strengthen regional stability, cooperation and peace through the establishment of cooperative frameworks for transboundary groundwater governance in selected aquifers systems in Central Asia, the Middle East and West Africa (to exact regions and aquifer systems have yet to be confirmed).
    Every regional intervention of GTA will be tailored to the respective regional context, thereby making use of the appropriate set of tools out of a pre-defined toolbox with four main lines of actions:
    - Awareness and capacity development: Raising awareness and inducing governance of groundwater among high level policy makers, whilst increasing capacity in groundwater re-source development and management at regional, national and subnational levels.
    - Policies, laws, institutions and governance: Effective governance relies on policies, laws, institutions and enforcement mechanisms. Developing/strengthening national/international groundwater policy frameworks and institutions is also expected to trigger increased investments in groundwater at international, regional and national level.
    - Sustainable groundwater management, monitoring and state-of-the art technologies: Groundwater needs to be monitored over time in terms of quantity and quality to identify possible negative changes such as over-abstraction, reduced recharge (including climate change effects) and pollution. This would lead to developing/strengthening groundwater management at local, national and regional levels, and fostering increased uptake of appropriate tools and technologies for resource assessment, development and management.
    - Knowledge sharing and coordination: Coordinating, harmonizing and sharing data represents the first step in cooperation between countries, allowing to move from diagnostics to actions and solutions, by increasing knowledge generation and sharing among member states and partners, whilst promoting cooperation between them.
    In each region, UNESCO-IHP will work in close collaboration with key regional and national ac-tors having a mandate and legitimacy on groundwater, as well as actors having a specific thematic expertise. The programme is projected to start in 2023, with a first phase of 4 years, and has the perspective to last up to 2035.

    Expected Impact

    The overall expected impact of this programme are protected and sustainable aquifers in selected regions. The protected aquifers deliver their natural services at the benefit of the society and the nature. Today and for the generations to come.
    The expected outcomes of the programme are the following:
    - Groundwater resources in selected aquifer systems are protected and sustainably used and negative trends are reverted as a result of improved groundwater management and governance by strengthened river basin organizations and efficient state institutions responsible for water resources management.
    - Groundwater resources data is shared among the countries, laying the foundation of a transparent groundwater management process across national borders.
    - Capacities are built in international water law and hydro-diplomacy, with a focus on transboundary aquifers.
    - Dialogue between countries and stakeholders on groundwater resources takes place on a regular basis, also in search for financial solutions for sustainable management of transboundary groundwater resources.
    - Transnational agreements on groundwater management are achieved and implemented.
    - The awareness on the importance of groundwater to maintain and conserve dependent ecosystems is raised in order to improve the protection and conservation of freshwater biodiversity in the river basins
    - The awareness on the importance of the protection of groundwater is raised and efficient policies and practical tools are implemented.

    Partners

    UNESCO Intergovernmental hydrological programme (IHP), governments, local communities.

    Additional information

    Countries : the current list is provisional, the final list of participating countries has yet to be defined.

    Regions : Global, Central Asia and the Middle East more precisely.

    Website : Programme website not yet available.

    Goal 6

    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

    Goal 6

    6.1

    By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

    6.1.1

    Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

    6.2

    By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

    6.2.1

    Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

    6.3

    By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

    6.3.1

    Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

    6.3.2

    Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

    6.4

    By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
    6.4.1

    Change in water-use efficiency over time

    6.4.2

    Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

    6.5

    By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

    6.5.1

    Degree of integrated water resources management 

    6.5.2

    Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

    6.6

    By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
    6.6.1

    Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

    6.a

    By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
    6.a.1

    Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

    6.b

    Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

    6.b.1

    Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

    Name Description
    Strengthened institutional and technical capacity on groundwater governance in RBOs, RCs, and selected aquifers systems, reinforced local stakeholders’ participation and countries cooperation in selected aquifer system.
    Improved evidence-based decision-making on transboundary groundwater resources quality protection and monitoring.
    Communication, public awareness, capacity and skills on transboundary aquifers and shared groundwater resources diplomacy enhanced.
    Financing (in USD)
    Approximately 8m USD (2024-2027), 26m USD planned up to 2035.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Experts from SDC
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Action Network
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    Timeline
    31 December 2023 (start date)
    31 December 2027 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs / Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Africa
    2. West Asia
    3. Global
    Other beneficiaries

    - All countries that share water resources with other countries
    - River basin organizations
    - local governments
    - local communities
    - civil society
    - private sector
    - water professionals

    Countries
    CAPRE Foundation
    Guinea
    Guinea
    Guinea-Bissau
    Guinea-Bissau
    Jordan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kazakhstan
    Kyrgyzstan
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lebanon
    Lebanon
    Senegal
    Senegal
    Sierra Leone
    Sierra Leone
    Syrian Arab Republic
    Syrian Arab Republic
    Tajikistan
    Tajikistan
    Turkey
    Turkey
    Turkmenistan
    Turkmenistan
    Uzbekistan
    Uzbekistan
    Contact Information

    Arlette, Assistant/secretary of SDC section water