Ousmane S. DIALLO Coordinator of the Water Programme Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS)

1. UNW-DPC International WorkshopInstitutional capacity Development in Transboundary BasinsBonn, 10-12 November 2008 Knowledge & Informationas a basis to establish transboundary cooperation: the experience of the North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) Ousmane S. DIALLO Coordinator of the Water Programme Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS)

2. OUTLINE • Overview of the OSS & Water issues in the circum-Sahara • Key characteristics & issues of the NWSAS • Capacity in the context of IWRM • Knowledge & Informationfor transboundary cooperation • Lessons & Conclusion

3. NWSAS The Circum-Sahara region Work in progress on major transboundary aquifers TTAS LCAS SMAS IAS IGAD 1. OSS & Water issues in the circum-Sahara Generating, Managing & Disseminating information to support sustainable NRM Joint management of shared WR for economic integration & sustainaible development in Africa • 22 African countries in the circum-Sahara • 5 countries from the North • 4 African Sub-Regional Organisations (IGAD, UMA, CENSAD, CILSS) • International & UN Organisations • Civil Society

4. Renewable water per capita Water stress PNUE, 2008 PNUE, 2008 Water is a mojor stake in the circum-Sahara Less than 9% of total renewable WR are in Africa More than 300 millions of people are water-stressed in Africa But Africa is endowed with a huge potential of WR

5. Objectives of transboundary cooperation A potential for cooperation & sustainable development Environment DegradationSustainability Balance of compromises Political & Institutional ConflictCooperation Economical FragmentationIntegration

6. Livestock Agriculture TC IC Tourism Water supply Fig. 1 : extension des formations du SASS CI CT 2. Key characteristics & issues of the NWSAS • Aride to saharan climate conditions • Area: 1.03 million km2 • Algeria: 700,000 km2 • Libya: 250,000 km2 • Tunisia: 80,000 km2 • Superposition of 2 main deep aquifer layers • Reserves: 30 000 km3 • Recharge rate: 1 km3/y • Increased & intensive abstraction Rate: 1.5 km3/y • Major threats & risks • Limited knowledge & capacity • WR: key developmental resource for the countries • Need for joint management & cooperation

7. 2007: - Agreement on the structure, operation & funding modalities; - Ownership by the three countries; - Coordination Unit (CU) hosted by OSS. 2008: - Establishment of the CU Technical tools update Institutional dynamics Political agenda The Consultation Mechanism 2005: Ministerial declaration on the consultation mechanism

8. 3. Capacity in the context of IWRM Definitions: Capacity:the ability of individuals, institutions and societies toperform functions, solve problems, & set & achieve objectivesin a sustainable manner. (UNDP) Capacity Development:theprocessthrough which individuals, organisations & societiesobtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set & achieve their own development objectivesover time. (UNDP) Political will and a strategic approach to address the issues of capacity building are essential. The biggest challenges that must be addressed to reach the African Water Vision (2025) and the MDGs is human & institutional capacity building (AMCOW, PNAFCOM 2003).

9. Capacity required for sustainable joint management & development of shared WR based on IWRM: • Technical: assesment/modeling, knowledge, M&E, information technology,hydrodynamics, infrastructure, utilities, geography, ecology, climate variability/change, link to national issues, etc. • Institutional: strategic leadership, human resources, core resources, project & process management, external links, accountability & voice mechanisms, etc. • Political: agreements, vision, joint development, integration, economy, hydrosolidarity, regulation, legislative, legal, etc.

10. Institutional Capacity Development Institutional Capacityunderlies the institution’s performance. Capacity is understood as the six interrelated areas below. Strategic leadership 1 Interinstitu-tional linkages Dimensions of human resources 6 2 Interrelated areas 5 3 Core resources Process management 4 Project/ Programme management

11. 1 2 Political Institu- tional 4. K.& I. for transboundary cooperation Capacity Technical Capacity Development steps in NWSAS

12. RESULTS: • Common mgt. tools • & language • Understanding & • common vision • Capacity to decide • & have common • solutions • Basin awareness • CC: 1st step for • adaptation strategy • WHAT? • • Water monitoring networks • qty/qly; rech/abs • • Data & information mgnt. • system • • Modeling: global & sub • -models • Training sessions • WHY? • Assessment, hyrodynamics • Accesible & reliable data, • System boudaries, scenario • devpt., impacts, risks • Data mgt. tools, dialogue, • transboundary issues • HOW? • Involvement of key • stakeholders: common • studies & surveys • • Development of mgt. tools • • Training sessions • •Scientific cooperation The case of the NWSAS Knowledge improvement Technical dimension

13. RESULTS: • HR developed • Agreement on • structure & funding • modalities • Improved legal & • institutional context • with enhanced • transparency & • accountability • WHAT? • • Strategic leadership • • Dimensions of HR • • Core resources • Project management • Process management • Inter-institutional linkages • WHY? • Governance, Structure • HR needs, • Infrastructure, Technology • Finance • Planning, Implementaion • M&E, Communications • Networks, Partnerships • HOW? • Initial deliberation & talks • • Joint meetings (convergence • & consensus) • • Capacity of national bodies The case of the NWSAS Joint managementof SWR Institutional dimension

14. RESULTS: • Political will • Ministerial • Declaration • Full ownership: • process driven by • the countries • Transboundary • cooperation in place • WHAT? • • Political commitment • • Structure of the joint • management framework • • Operation modalities • Funding modalities • WHY? • Transboundary cooperation • Governance of shared WR • Agreement for equal invol- • vement of the countries • Facilitation of political will • & action • Allocation of resources • HOW? • Advocacy for joint • management • • Trust & Confidence • • Ministerial Declaration • •Agreements The case of the NWSAS Transboundary cooperation Political dimension

15. 5. Lessons and Conclusion • In North Africa, GWR are crucial & strategic resources. • Knowledge improvement is a prerequisite for the management of these resources. • In TGWR, IWRM is essential to start with technical consultation by developing monitoring & management tools. • Need to involve people affected by taking into consideration theirs concerns with the information they understand. • Progress cannot be made unless strong need & political committment are in place. • Outcomes must be relevant to policy makers & win their willingness to make necessary changes. • The institutional context: general principles apply, but need to be adapted to the specifics.

16. 5. Lessons and Conclusion • Provide advice to AMCOW:strengthening science-policy interactions. • Advice AMCOW for public information & awareness on the importance of GWR in Africa. • Strengthen GWR management & protection institutions& to build capacity in those areas. • Promote cooperative management of shared aquifers. • Promote education & training & trigger national & regional initiatives to address capacity building for users & decision-makers. • Result: appropriate capacity (policy & legislation); appropriate institutions & human resources to plan & implement sustainable GW utilisation