International Conference on INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT December 7-9, 2004 (Tokyo Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan) “IWRM in Practice - Operationalising IWRM at Basin Level” Niger River Basin Case study By Ousmane S. DIALLO, Water Resources & Environment Specialist, GEF Project & Shared Vision Coordinator (NBA) NIGER BASIN AUTHORITY (NBA)

IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Niger River Basin: Rational and Stakes for Integrated Water Resources Management

Overview I.Niger River Basin: Background II.IWRM at a glance III.IWRM in Niger River Basin IV.Niger River Basin: GEF Project V.Lessons learned VI.Conclusions IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin

I.Niger River Basin: Location & Background IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin  Main features:  a crucial asset shared by nine countries among the poorest in the World (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad);  an important source of livelihoods for the region;  the 3 rd longest Africa’s river & the 14 th in the World (4,200 km);  the 9 th in the world largest river Basin (2,2 millions km²).

I.Niger River Basin: Layout of the Basin IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin

I.Niger River Basin: Background IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin  Socio-economics:  The population of the basin is estimated at 107 millions of people (2000) (42% of the West African population).  Population will be 207 millions people in 2020, (the double) while the potential of NR feeding this population will decrease.  The River is important for water supply, agriculture, hydropower generation, fisheries, livestock development, etc.  The total GDP of the countries was 70 Billion US$ in 2000 with an average growth rate of less than 3%. The average GDP per inhabitant in the countries is US$ 350 (less than US$ 300 for sahelian countries).

II.IWRM at a glance Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin WHY? Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Countries are facing serious water resources challenges that call for a new water management framework. IWRM relates to the macro-economy: Poor water resources management has negative impacts on health, environment and the economy, jeopardizing poverty reduction efforts. IWRM is a process which can assist developing countries in achieving of MDGs. IWRM process is the backbone of commitments to international agreements: Transboundary visions and co-operation.

II.IWRM at a glance IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin WHAT IS? Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Implementing IWRM process is a question of getting the “three pillars” right. Integrated vision Integrated tools for planning and decision making Environmental sustainability Social equity Economic efficiency 1-Enabling environment 2-Institutional framework 3-Management instruments

II.IWRM at a glance IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin HOW? Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Establish Status, Goals & Agendas Build Political Commitment to Reform Process Analyse Gaps Prepare Strategy & Action Plan Build Commitment to Actions Implement Frameworks Monitor & Evaluate Progress The Integrated Water Resources Management Cycle

III.IWRM in Niger Basin - The strategic framework IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin AFRICA WATER VISION WEST AFRICA WATER VISION (2 nd WWF) AFRICAN UNION NEPAD TRANSBOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES (Shared basins, Water security, Regional integration) I W R M ( Political will, Strategy, Resources mobilization ) Shared Vision GEF Project European & Other Initiatives

III.IWRM in Niger Basin - Shared vision: Critical elements IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin “Political borders crossing natural borders” «Silting of Midle Niger Basin » “Population growth” “Economic growth” “W ater resources are variable and finite" “Pollution” “ Floods and Droughts” “Tensions between water users ” “Degradation of natural resources”

IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin III.Shared vision = Niger Basin version of IWRM IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Niger River Basin Development challenge is INTEGRATED LAND AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR POVERTY REDUCTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE BASIN HOW? DEVELOPING A SHARED VISION

III.IWRM in Niger Basin - Shared vision IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Towards an effective Cooperation for sustainable development Environment Degradation  Sustainability Politics Dispute  Cooperation Economics Fragmentation  Integration Balance of compromises

III.IWRM in Niger Basin - Shared vision IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Framework for planning & action to address common challenges: poverty reduction, potable water & sanitation, health, food security, peace, economic development, etc. The Shared vision = a set of long-term objectives & commitment to a program of actions; Opportunity for good governance of shared water resources, for a cooperative & sustainable development of the Basin; Effective tool for conflicts prevention and resolution among users, uses, development & environmental goals; Commitment of the riparians to enhance a regional dialogue and to stop fruitless unilteral approach.

III.IWRM in Niger Basin: European Union Water Initiative IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin  The EUWI for Africa has two main components:  R iver basin management;  Provision of water supply and sanitation.  The Mission Statement:  Facilitate the implementation of effective IWRM programs through technical support, coordinated financing, dialogue and partnerships;  Work with riparian governments and other stakeholders to establish and/or strengthen river basin management, institutions and programs.  The suggested focus for Niger River Basin:  Fund the second phase of the Shared vision: Development of a Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP);  Strengthen organizational frameworks (capacity building, coordination of activities, etc.);  Explore new financing mechanisms;  Support involvement of civil society on interests based approach.

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project - IW OP9 IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin “Reversing land and water degradation trends in the Niger River Basin” Project development objective: To provide the riparians countries, an opportunity to define a transboundary framework for sustainable development of the basin land and water resources, through strenghened capacity and better understanding of the critical issues. Project global objectives: To reduce and prevent transboundary water related environmental degradation, through cooperative integrated management of the basin, while ensuring greater public involvement in the decision-making process.

IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Project Implemen- tation C5- Demonstration pilots & SGP C6- TDA & SAP preparation C1- Institution building C2- Capacity building C3- Data management C4- Regional Forum Strategic Action Programme (SAP) formulation Agreement between the 9 NBA Countries, WB & UNDP Continue in Phase 3

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Land & Water are basic to Production, and Production is clearly a factor of Poverty reduction. To address Poverty reduction, the Project will focus on:  Meeting human basic needs;  Environmental degradation;  Water degradation, health and loss of productivity;  Soil degradation and loss of productive land;  Risk management, floods and droughts;  Community-based driven interventions (Pilots & SGP);  Local community capacity building/strengthening. The linkages between the GEF Project and country’s PRSP contribute to promote growth and reduce poverty, as well as external financing needs.

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project: IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin What is TDA/SAP? The TDA Transboundary: Projects are undertaken only when there are water management issues which cross the boundary between two or more countries. Diagnostic Analysis: Problems are analysed through a scientific diagnosis of causes and effects. The SAP Strategic: Solutions usually involve long-term administrative or legal strategies in each country. Action Programme: The project is not complete until a plan for practical implementation of the solution has been agreed.

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project: TDA/SAP IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Two different types of TDA/SAP project with different aims: A. REMEDIAL To help countries to change human activities which threaten, or have already damaged, a water body or its drainage basin. B. PREVENTATIVE To achieve environmental benefits by integrating the management and sustainable development of land and water resources. This is OP 8 of the GEF This is OP 9 of the GEF All GEF projects aim to work as a catalyst to achieve more global environmental benefits. To strengthen the many other national and international Programs which have responsibility for action.

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE TDA / SAP APPROACH International experience has shown that there will not be much progress unless the following principles are followed from start to the end: CONSULTATION / FULL STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION All stakeholders must be genuinely consulted and their views have to be taken into account, before any decision is taken. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT / “LEARNING BY DOING” Monitoring, adjusting and revising at each step of the work. COMMITMENT People responsible must make commitments to take action, at each step of the project.

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project: The main players & Synergies IWRM in Practice: Operationalizing IWRM in Niger Basin AfDB Program Heads of State (Summit) Niger Basin Authority Executive Secretariat (NBA/ES) Technical Department National Coordination Units (NCU-AfDB) (9) National Project Teams Beneficiaries GEF Project Sub Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) Regional Steering Committee for GEF and AfDB (RSC) (9) National Steering Committees (NSC) Local Coordination Committees (LCC) Local Technical Committees Project Management Coordination Unit (PMCU) NBA Council of Ministers NBA Organization Regional National Local

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project: The four Steps in GEF IW TDA/SAP Process IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Step I: Project development Step II: TDA execution Step IV: SAP implementationStep III: SAP preparation - Stakeholder consultation - Conduct stakeholder analysis - Project design and approval - Formation of Team and Management - Identify & prioritise transboundary issues - Technical issues analysis (CCA) - Political / Governance analysis - Prepare and adopt TDA - Long-term EcoQOs - Feasability study of options - Operational objectives & targets - Institutional framework - Interventions development - Design of monitoring/evaluation system - Approval and funding - Monitor and Evaluate progress - Build capacity - Develop synergies with other initiatives - Link SAP with SDAP of Shared vision - Draw lessons

IV.Niger Basin GEF Project IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin PROJECT DEVELOP- MENT TDA SAP IMPLEM- TATION SAP ENABLING ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK MANGEMENT INSTRUMENTS Putting the IWRM into practice at shared basin level: the role of the TDA/SAP Process Legal/Policy Analysis Stakeholder Analysis & Consultations Institutional Analysis

V.Lessons learned IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin 1. Context is critically important: IWRM in NRB, is a complex process: (i) high number of decision makers at the highest political level, (ii) social & cultural background, and economic situations of each riparian country, (iii) geographical diversity. 2. For the poorest countries, the initial focus is on crucial & urgent issues. The NRB planning process of IWRM is putting emphasis strongly on how to attain the UN MDGs. 3. Linkages between basin level and riparian countries level: convergence and complementarities; transition towards a more integrated approach. 4. The problems are more of institutional nature, that is GOVERNANCE, rather than technical. There is a crucial need for a long-term vision.

V.Lessons learned IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin 5. The GEF project contributes to alleviate poverty Interactive participation of various stakeholder groups (public & private sectors, civil society, regional, national & local levels) is a key for community ownership. The potential of the various NR of the basin can be developed and managed, through national actions implemented in compliance with the regional framework. Integrated development of the transboundary NR on the basis of win-win principles, increases sustainable exploitation and enhances productivity. Integrated development of these transboundary NR will promote socio-economic development of the riparian countries and enhance cooperation for the protection of the environment.

V.Lessons learned IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin 6. The GEF IW TDA/SAP Process: a tool to operationalise IWRM at shared basin level TDA/SAP Process may be used to build commitment to reforms and to actions through: political will, awareness, multi-stakeholder dialogue and finance identification. The TDA execution phase gives opportunity to establish status and goals and analyze gaps by identification and prioritization of transboundary issues, joint fact-finding to ensure regional ownership (process & products). The TDA execution phase can be shorten: During the Project development phase (PDF-A phase), a preliminary TDA has been prepared and will be finalized during the TDA execution phase. Synergies developed with AfDB Program, are key for complementarities, resources optimization and future uses.

VI.Conclusions IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Challenges for (i) Poverty reduction, (ii) Water sharing, and (iii) Sustainable development in the basin The joint work needs new partnerships and good coordination. GEF PROJECT OTHER INITIATIVES OTHER INITIATIVES SHARED VISION I W R M

IWRM in Practice: Operationalising IWRM in Niger Basin Thank you for your attention