Information and transboundary cooperation – challenges and responses Francesca Bernardini United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Information: the beauty and the beast Information is crucial for decision making in water management Collecting and managing information is expensive Information is not enough  meaningful information

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Information cycle Workshop on Information Management and Public Participation, June 2005 Workshop on Monitoring and Assessment, October 2005

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes IWRM and information Integration of environmental objectives Water-quality, water-quantity and ecological status, status of related ecosystems (wetlands) Integration of all water resources Fresh surface water and groundwater, wetlands, coastal water at the river basin scale and their interactions Integration of all water uses, functions and values Links between functions, both human and ecological, and uses; multi-functional approach that strikes a balance between all desired uses Involvement of stakeholders in decision- making Identification of stakeholders and their information needs, reporting requirements/information needs, local experience and traditional knowledge on water issues

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Information needs derive from water management issues and objectives

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Identification of uses/functions  stakeholders involvement  prioritization

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes DPSIR framework Number of households population density Waste water quantity and composition Concentration of nutrients and organic matter Extra treatment for drinking water Number of people affected by water-related diseases

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Legislation and information Different levels –National –Regional (Caspian Sea Convention and Protocol) –Transboundary agreements –International (Conventions, global commitments) Different fields –Water code –Environmental protection –Irrigation laws –Fisheries –Access to public information and public participation…

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis development Identification and initial prioritisation of transboundary problems Analysis of impacts/consequences of each transboundary problem Final prioritisation of transboundary problems Causal chain analysis and governance analysis Production and adoption of complete Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Transboundary water management: the model of the Water Convention Collect, compile and evaluate data in order to identify pollution sources Elaborate joint monitoring programmes Draw up inventories and exchange information on the pollution sources Elaborate emission limits for waste water and evaluate the effectiveness of control programmes Elaborate joint water ‑ quality objectives and criteria and propose relevant measures for maintaining and, where necessary, improving the existing water quality

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Transboundary water management: the model of the Water Convention Develop concerted action programmes for the reduction of pollution loads Establish warning and alarm procedures Serve as a forum for the exchange of information on existing and planned uses of water Promote cooperation and exchange of information on the best available technology Cooperate with other joint bodies in the same catchment area and with bodies for the marine environment  Exchange of information, as early as possible in an agreed way  Different tools

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Information utilization - Reporting Who? What for?

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Situation in EECCA Some progress has been achieved, also thanks to past and on-going projects, but still many problems related to: Inadequate legal framework Weak institutional framework Management issues Financial issues

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Some of your comments Need to develop a long term National Water Strategy Need for legal and institutional mechanisms (permitting the exchange of information between parties) Organize training on data and information management Support coordinated decision-making Strengthen the public opinion on the value of water Increase accessibility of information, public participation and transparency Develop website and GIS

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes The way forward: step by step approach Prioritisation: Short-term – long-term Additional funding needed – not needed