« WFD contributions to water management Water Directors’ meeting, Paris, 25 Nov. 2008 INBO REPORT « WFD contributions to water management in transboundary river basins: progress report & needs identified by the basin organizations » A draft report was discussed during the EUROPE-INBO 2008 « International Conference on WFD Implementation » (Sibiu, Romania, 1-3 Oct. 2008)

Created in 1994 to facilitate operational exchanges between BO EUROPE-INBO Group for WFD Central and Eastern European Network of Basin Organizations (CEENBO) Mediterranean Network (MENBO) 188 FULL MEMBERS or PERMANENT OBSERVERS in 68 COUNTRIES

Why a contribution on transboundary issues ? Many transboundary basins and aquifers in Europe 40 international river basin districts (on 110 RBD) 60 % of the EU territory One of the most important challenges of WFD implementation An important issue … but not enough examined within the CIS !!!

Strong points For the 1st time in the world, 27 countries adopted the same basin oriented approach Delimitation of International River Basin Districts (IRBD), coordination of characterizations, RBMPs and progr. of measures Building up on preexisting bilateral / multilateral cooperation Positive role of international commissions (coordination platforms) Enlargement of international commissions & agreements (integrating WFD principles & considering the whole river basin) WFD = a common reference frame for multilateral coordination (same objectives, steps and deadlines ; harmonisation of practices) Reinforcement of transboundary cooperation A tool for European integration

Weak points Huge workload : 2 processes (national and international) at the same time, harmonization of methods, several languages … Public participation : limited to a coordination of timetables Monitoring : monitoring networks are still heterogeneous Cartography : different projection systems Management plans : still a patchwork of national elements Policies : problem of different national policies, especially for shared basins between EU / non EU countries

Specific needs in IRBDs: recommendations Increase human & financial resources of competent authorities Improve decision-making process in international commissions Support the creation of new ones Develop urgently a joint management of transboundary aquifers Coordinate warning networks and elaborate joint management plans for floods/droughts Anticipate climate change and integrate adaptation measures from now at transboundary level Strengthen the coordination of measures Give more ambition to roof reports Reinforce coordination with non-EU countries

Recommendations Involve local stakeholders (they are frontliners for the investments & practical implementation!) Develop common economic indicators Develop a common approach of exemptions & extensions of delays Launch joint training programmes for the concerned staff in IRBD Define a common strategy for public participation (coordinate not only the timetable but also the content !) Define homogeneous monitoring networks Standardize projection systems of cartography at IRBD level Develop coordinated information systems using interoperability

Conclusions WFD implementation in transboundary basins : a relevant indicator to evaluate the work done for WFD impl. in Europe A driving force for new MS, non-EU riparian countries & outside EU Can inspire other regions (principles are transferable) Reinforce cooperation programmes with non-EU countries particularly with non-EU riparian countries (the WFD objectives might not be achieved on account of their lack of organisational and financial capacity: it is a major stake for EU Member States !) For ex : positive outcomes of the TWINBASIN programme and wish of INBO members for the continuation of the European funding support for a second phase of the programme