3 neno kukuric- igrac - global tba activities twap

1. Overview of Global Transboundary
Aquifer Assessment Activities
Neno Kukurić
Almaty, July 2013

2. What is a Transboundary Aquifer?
Transboundary aquifer or transboundary aquifer system
means, respectively, an aquifer or aquifer system, parts of
which are situated in different States;

3. Why do we need a TBA assessment?
The fact: many aquifers cross the political borders
Potential cross-boundary problems: changes
in groundwater flow, levels, volumes
(quantity) and dissolved
substances (quality).
Actions: TBA assessment,
monitoring and appropriate
management.
Benefits: eliminating potential
sources of conflict and
improving the overall benefit
from groundwater.

4. Overview of global TBA assessments
Global, regional and aquifers-based assessment
ISARM (Internationally Shared Aquifer Resources
Management) programme
Regional UNECE Assessments in Europe and
Central Asia (EU WFD and other regional
assessments)
GEF (Global Environment Facility) projects
introducing TWAP
Concluding comments

5. ISARM Programme
The worldwide ISARM (Internationally Shared Aquifer
Resources Management) Initiative is an UNESCO led multi-agency
effort aimed at improving the understanding of
hydrogeological, socio-economic, legal, institutional and
environmental issues related to the management of
transboundary aquifers.
ISARM operates as an umbrella programme, (co)organising
various TBA-related activities around the world.

6. ISARM Background
June 2000: in recognition of the
importance of transboundary aquifer
systems as a source of freshwater in
certain regions of the world,
UNESCO IHP Council decided to
launch an ISARM initiative to
promote studies on transboundary
aquifers.
A cooperation was established with
IAH (TARM commission), UNECE,
FAO and other regional and
international institutions.
A framework document in 2001,
describing the main aspects of the
internationally shared aquifers and
setting up the basis for the TBA
assessment

7. TBA Assessment Methodology
Hydrogeological Aspect
Delineation and description
Classification, diagnostic analysis and zoning
Data harmonisation and information
management
Environmental issues
Socio-economic framework
Institutional settings
International legal framework

8. Global Overview of ISARM activities

9. ISARM Regional Activities
Since its start in 2000, ISARM launched a number of regional initiatives
designed to assess transboundary aquifer systems and to encourage
aquifer sharing states to work cooperatively toward mutually beneficial
and sustainable aquifer development.
Cooperation with regional organisations is crucial for success of
ISARM activities.
The most numerous initiatives carried out in Africa
(Tripoli 2002 , Cape Town 2005, 2007, Tripoli 2008,
Nairobi 2010, 2011, Duala 2011, 2012…)
The most advanced assessment so far is of
ISARM Americas (hydrogeology, legal and institutional
frameworks, socio-economic framework...)
South East Europe Caucasus and Central Asia
in cooperation with UNECE
ISARM Western Asia in cooperation with Geological
Survey of China

10. TBA assessment in Africa
2002
2005
2009
2012

11. TBAs of the World - 2012

12. Atlas of Transboundary Aquifers
Includes basic info about aquifers, regional cooperation and
references
The first global publication (other
than a map – delineation process)
Very limited info/no analysis

13. ISARM Portal
www.isarm.org

14. Global TBA Information System

15. UNECE TBA inventory assessments
The UNECE Inventory 1999
Lesson learned - challenges of:
TB groundwater assessment
international data harmonisation
Added value:
Pioneering role in addressing TBAs!
Formulating TBA characteristics
Pan European overview
The First UNECE Assessment 2007
followed the Driving Forces-Pressures-State-Impact-Responses
(DPSIR) framework adopted by the EEA - recommended
a clear regional overview of current groundwater status (including
the transboundary impact and management measures), of
pressures and of future trends and prospects.

16. Central Asia TBAs

17. Central Asia TBAs

18. Central Asia TBAs

19. UNECE TBA inventory assessments
The Second UNECE Assessment
It is still difficult to implement a balanced IWRM approach, especially
in areas with large rivers where groundwater easily remains
insufficiently addressed.
EU WFD defines groundwater
bodies (GWBs) rather than
aquifers, causing the
harmonisation difficulty at the
borders of the EU.
Country-based questionnaires
contain still unprocessed
information that is potentially
useful for TWAP

20. Other regional TBA assessments
EU Water Framework Directive
Concept of groundwater bodies
Quality standards and threshold values
Mapping approach
ESCWA 2012 - mapping approach
SADC (GEF/others)
Northern Africa (GEF/others)
Others….

21. GEF TBA assessment projects
In the last decade, Global Environment Facility co- funded
several large TBA assessment projects
Comparing with ISARM and UNECE, GEF projects concentrate
often on one aquifer (system) allowing in depth analysis.
Projects:
Nubian Aquifer System
Guarani Aquifer System
SADC (Limpopo Basin)
NW Sahara Aquifer System
Iullemenden Aquifer System
DIKTAS Aquifer System
other GEF IW groundwater
projects (MedParterschip,
Eastern Desert of Egypt, ..

22. GEF TBA assessment projects
TDA - Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
Transboundary specifics are usually found in (hydro)geological
classifications, data and information management, legislation,
organisational structure, etc.
Further than an assessment: consultation/
cooperation mechanisms and agreeing
on joint strategic actions (SAP)
Outcomes presented in reports but also databases,
maps, websites
Accessibility : being improved (IW-LEARN)
but still insuficient

23. GEF TBA assessment projects

24. TWAP
Transboundary Water Assessment Programme
The term ‘transboundary waters’ ,
includes the Open Oceans, Large
Marine Ecosystems, River and Lake
Basins, and Aquifers with
transboundary drainage basins or
common borders.
The water-related ecosystems
associated with these waters are
considered integral parts of the
systems.

25. TWAP Objectives
1. The assessment will respond to the need
of GEF IW, other donors and governments
to prioritize, and to focus scarce
resources where they can be more cost-effective
in addressing transboundary
concerns
2. It will allow to monitor evolving trends,
and the impacts of GEF IW programs, and
those of other agencies and actors
3. It will bring to the global attention the
vulnerability of transboundary water
systems, and catalyze action

26. TWAP Outcomes
For all main transboundary River Basins, and Aquifers, all major Lakes, all
LMEs, and for Open Ocean assessment units, TWAP will produce a
synthesis of the data and information available, including information that
can be generated as a proxy from databases and through modeling.
Based on this, TWAP will help in understanding:
•What kind of human and ecosystem use of the water resources is affected
or impaired now (through conflicts, depletion, degradation)?
•What will be water use and conditions of use in near future?
•Where will this be occurring?

27. Conceptual framework
for TWAP’s overall assessment

28. TWAP Groundwater
Objectives:
1.Provide a description of the present conditions and expected trends
of Transboundary Aquifers (TBAs) and Small Island Developing
States (SIDS) groundwater systems, to enable the GEF IW Focal Area
to determine priority aquifers/regions for resources allocation.
2.Bring to the global attention the potentialities and the vulnerability
of transboundary aquifer systems, and catalyze actions.
global groundwater consumption per sector

29. TWAP TBAs Methodology
Level 1: Baseline Global Assessment,
aimed at identifying areas of global
priority concern, also in view of possible
projections.
Level 2: Regional, providing more in
depth assessment of single
transboundary water-bodies, aimed at
proposing characterization standards and
indicators for water-body management
purposes.

30. TWAP TBA Scale and Scope
Scale
Global assessment – all international groundwater systems, however:
•TBAs: exclude very small systems ( 5,000 km2):
166 TBAs plus X
•SIDS: total of 43 SIDS to be assessed
Scope
Acquisition of sufficient information to understand characteristics
and trends of groundwater systems and the interconnected socio-economic
and environmental systems
Assessment will be:
•Based on existing information
•With a central role for national and regional experts

32. TWAP TBAs: Partnership Arrangements
1.Core Group
2.Regional
Organisations and
Coordinators
3.Key Providers of
Expertise and Data

33. TWAP-TBAs: Execution Arrangements
Core Group
Overall Coordination and Oversight
UNESCO IHP, IGRAC, WWAP, FAO
Regional Coordinators and
Expert Networks
(inventory, characterization,
indicators)
OAS, SADC, UN Economic Commissions,
others
Task Force on Remote
Sensing and Modeling
Information
Management System
IGRAC
Advisory Panel
Key Expertise and
Data Providers
IAH, Geological Surveys,
NGOs, Academia
Countries

34. Assessment of Transboundary Aquifers
It’s all about people….

35. Thank you for your attention
United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization
World Meteorological
Organization
Government of
The Netherlands