Information and transboundary cooperation – challenges and

responses

Francesca BernardiniUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Information: the beauty and the beast

• Information is crucial for decision making in water management

• Collecting and managing information is

expensive

• Information is not enough meaningful information

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Information cycle

Workshop on Information Management and Public Participation, June 2005

Workshop on Monitoring and Assessment, October 2005

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

IWRM and informationIntegration of environmental objectives

Water-quality, water-quantity and ecological status, status of related ecosystems (wetlands)

Integration of all water resources

Fresh surface water and groundwater, wetlands, coastal water at the river basin scale and their interactions

Integration of all water uses, functions and values

Links between functions, both human and ecological, and uses; multi-functional approach that strikes a balance between all desired uses

Involvement of stakeholders in decision-making

Identification of stakeholders and their information needs, reporting requirements/information needs, local experience and traditional knowledge on water issues

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Information needs derive from water management issues and objectives

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Identification of uses/functions

stakeholders involvement

prioritization

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

DPSIR framework

Number of households population density

Waste water quantity and composition

Concentration of nutrients and organic matter

Extra treatment for drinking water

Number of people affected by water-related diseases

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Legislation and information• Different levels

– National– Regional (Caspian Sea Convention and Protocol)– Transboundary agreements– International (Conventions, global commitments)

• Different fields– Water code– Environmental protection– Irrigation laws– Fisheries– Access to public information and public participation…

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis development

Identification and initial prioritisation of transboundary problems

Analysis of impacts/consequences of each transboundary problem

Final prioritisation of transboundary problems

Causal chain analysis and governance analysis

Production and adoption of complete Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Transboundary water management: the model of the Water Convention

• Collect, compile and evaluate data in order to identify pollution sources

• Elaborate joint monitoring programmes • Draw up inventories and exchange information on

the pollution sources • Elaborate emission limits for waste water and

evaluate the effectiveness of control programmes • Elaborate joint water‑quality objectives and criteria

and propose relevant measures for maintaining and, where necessary, improving the existing water quality

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Transboundary water management: the model of the Water Convention

• Develop concerted action programmes for the reduction of pollution loads

• Establish warning and alarm procedures • Serve as a forum for the exchange of information on existing and

planned uses of water • Promote cooperation and exchange of information on the best

available technology • Cooperate with other joint bodies in the same catchment area and

with bodies for the marine environment

Exchange of information, as early as possible in an agreed way

Different tools

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Information utilization - Reporting

Who?

What for?

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Situation in EECCA

Some progress has been achieved, also thanks to past and on-going projects, but still many problems related to:

• Inadequate legal framework• Weak institutional framework • Management issues• Financial issues

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

Some of your comments • Need to develop a long term National Water Strategy • Need for legal and institutional mechanisms (permitting

the exchange of information between parties) • Organize training on data and information management• Support coordinated decision-making • Strengthen the public opinion on the value of water • Increase accessibility of information, public participation

and transparency• Develop website and GIS

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

 

The way forward: step by step approach

Prioritisation: • Short-term – long-term• Additional funding needed – not needed