WB Session and OP 8: Observations and tentative ideas of what this means for our work on international waters (OP 8) WB Session and OP 8: Observations and tentative ideas of what this means for our work on international waters (OP 8) GEF IW Conference, Budapest October, 2000

Organize my comments along Tony’s questions: Can the IW approach work?Can the IW approach work? Is it working?Is it working? Is it too early too tell?Is it too early too tell? Are there important constraints we are ignoring?Are there important constraints we are ignoring? What are the implications for the GEF and more specifically for OP 8?What are the implications for the GEF and more specifically for OP 8? Personal views - food for thought!

OP8 - specific waterbodies with “chronic” problems: 260+ international river basins 50 large marine ecosystems (LME) Number of shared groundwater aquifers

International Waters Challenge - Scope & Scale - No blueprints! Poverty ->Development Insecurity -> SecurityDegradation -> Sustainability Political relations

Q1: Can The TDA/SAP Approach Work ? Role of TDA/SAPRole of TDA/SAP u Arrive at consensus on problems, priorities and actions - common understanding of the problems u Okavango - created harmony between the parties u Lengthy, time-consuming process; 2-4 yrs often u Benguela Current u Process (key outcome) more important than the output u Similar exercises done before - no blueprints available - all will to a certain extent be unique u Ownership created through the process

Q1: Can The TDA/SAP Approach Work ? Role of TDA/SAPRole of TDA/SAP u Can we really go the long way as prescribed by the TDA? Maybe consider to start with smaller, immediate actions - success attracts success! u Format requirements - tedious and often difficult! u Namibia - Benefit proved faster than the GEF route u Overall a useful instrument! u Key questions: How to translate the SAP into national actions? u Requires national commitment and national processes

Q2: Is it working? OP 8 Purpose - “remedial actions”OP 8 Purpose - “remedial actions” Linkage between water resources reform process and regional environmental management objectives often not addressed as required in OP8Linkage between water resources reform process and regional environmental management objectives often not addressed as required in OP8 Little emphasis on use of economic incentives and instruments, when applicable, as management toolsLittle emphasis on use of economic incentives and instruments, when applicable, as management tools Private sector participation limitedPrivate sector participation limited Involvement of other ministries/sectors - driven by environment and water - Danube - Min. of Ag.Involvement of other ministries/sectors - driven by environment and water - Danube - Min. of Ag.

Q2: Is it working (II)? Little attention to lake and wetland management and watershed management (WWF, IUCN)Little attention to lake and wetland management and watershed management (WWF, IUCN) Transboundary implications of dams - WCD??Transboundary implications of dams - WCD?? Considerable risks associated with creation of expectations that cannot be realistically achieved and failure to recognize time frames require for results - need for an exit strategy?Considerable risks associated with creation of expectations that cannot be realistically achieved and failure to recognize time frames require for results - need for an exit strategy? Dissemination of SAP to the general public, often lackingDissemination of SAP to the general public, often lacking When do we start work on the ground? UncertaintyWhen do we start work on the ground? Uncertainty

Q3: Is it too early to tell? Yes, little environmental improvement so farYes, little environmental improvement so far u North-American Great Lakes - six years to set up institutional system; 12 years to see environmental improvements u Social outcomes as important in the short/medium term Major accomplishments; over 50 projectsMajor accomplishments; over 50 projects First generation IW projects under implementation - too early to assess results!First generation IW projects under implementation - too early to assess results! u Developed framework for cooperation u Second generation just starting u Monitoring and evaluation built more effectively in

Q4: Are there important constraints we are ignoring? Link to poverty alleviation, human health, vulnerability and sustainable development policies in generalLink to poverty alleviation, human health, vulnerability and sustainable development policies in general Overall need for reforms in various sectors; e.g. civil service reform (Lake Victoria)Overall need for reforms in various sectors; e.g. civil service reform (Lake Victoria) Political climate for reforms uncertainPolitical climate for reforms uncertain

Q5: Strategic Implications for GEF and IAs? Rewrite OP? No - negotiated documentRewrite OP? No - negotiated document Flexible, pragmatic interpretation/applicationFlexible, pragmatic interpretation/application GEF and IAs need to “walk the talk”GEF and IAs need to “walk the talk” u Ownership required by the riparians……. but u Disbursement schedule has to be followed! u Solution - use consultants - local capacity building? u Streamlining of procedures; PDF A/B (350’ too small)/C Riparians in the driving seat! - not consultants or IAsRiparians in the driving seat! - not consultants or IAs but clearer demonstration of commitment requiredbut clearer demonstration of commitment required u commitment = ownership

Q5: Strategic Implications for GEF and IAs (ii)? SustainabilitySustainability u Key approval criteria? u Need to strengthen secretariats; stabilize staffing, set realistic budgets - responsibility of the riparians not GEF! u Sustainability of investments - requires policy reforms Need to diversify range of national ministries involved and increase emphasis on local governmentsNeed to diversify range of national ministries involved and increase emphasis on local governments Give more credibility to existing regional institutions (e.g. West Africa)Give more credibility to existing regional institutions (e.g. West Africa)

Q5: Strategic Implications for GEF and IAs (iii)? Involve NGOs more actively and ensure accountabilityInvolve NGOs more actively and ensure accountability TDAs and SAPs should be prepared by riparians - Facilitators can be provided (Benguela Current)TDAs and SAPs should be prepared by riparians - Facilitators can be provided (Benguela Current) Cooperation not competition between IAs and others! NGOs are tired of watching the infightingCooperation not competition between IAs and others! NGOs are tired of watching the infighting u multiple IAs - creates difficulties! High transaction costs; delays, funding gaps etc.High transaction costs; delays, funding gaps etc. Need for information sharing, transfer of lessons, comparison of results between the OPsNeed for information sharing, transfer of lessons, comparison of results between the OPs

Q5: Strategic Implications for GEF and IAs (iv)? Can one SAP lead to several projects?Can one SAP lead to several projects? Ability to deal with acute problems?Ability to deal with acute problems? Long-term involvement/support required (Niger, Chad - long-term program providing bridging mechanism)Long-term involvement/support required (Niger, Chad - long-term program providing bridging mechanism) GEF improve its outreach activities - NGO complaint!GEF improve its outreach activities - NGO complaint! u should be able to provide clear guidance now u clear rules required, goal post should not change during the process u GEF vocabulary u Qs and comments during this conference reflect this

Summary of the Challenges Creating and sustaining dialogue at the basin level - use convening power Identifying and supporting initiatives that create an enabling environment for cooperation Creating partnerships through which initiatives can be supported Creating and sharing a global knowledge base to support collaboration among riparians Supporting development investment in projects that enhance cooperation Basin Level The Riparians The Transboundary River or Lake Basin Promote a new water management and development policy framework in each riparian country Investment should reward and support policy and institutional reform -- not expand or rehabilitate unsustainable infrastructure, nor reward unsustainable policy frameworks

Concluding Thoughts (David Grey) Can pick you friends not your neighbors; international waters challenge is to make your neighbor your friends; BUT good fences can make good neighbors! Lesson: no blueprint, comprise, change course & do not let the best be the enemy of the good