1. Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Integrated thematic assessments: outlook on water, data and information needs Annukka Lipponen UNECE Water Convention secretariat

2. Promotion of information exchange between Riparian Parties under UNECE Water Convention Joint monitoring and assessment of transboundary waters for water quantity and quality is a core requirement Data exchange in transboundary basins, joint or coordinated assessments among the obligations Scope includes data on e.g. on conditions of transboundary waters, experience on BAT and research results, emission and monitoring data, measures, permits or regulations for wastewater discharges, and national regulations Assessment data should be available to the public Water Convention encourages continuously expand the range of information to be exchanged >10 guidelines developed on monitoring and assessment

3. Conceptual guidance: Monitoring Cycle & DPSIR UNECE 2006 Information objectives evolve as water management develops, targets are met or policies change DPSIR Driving Forces Pressures State Impact Response EEA

4. Regional assessments of transboundary waters: continuity with change Baseline Earlier assessments Approach, framework Available sources Prefilling data from available (official) sources Project documentation Country input Review and validation Complementing with information from national authorities

5. Information collected for the Second Assessment (2011) of transboundary waters Surface and groundwater resources: distribution among the riparian countries within a basin/aquifer (delineation, renewable resources, distribution and variability of flow) Pressures and their importance (water uses – consumptive and non-consumptive, polluting activities like wastewater discharges, diversion etc) Quality and quantity status of waters (quality: with reference to national systems – to be improved) Transboundary impacts (descriptive) Cooperation: joint bodies, agreements, joint monitoring etc (descriptive) Trends Management response measures taken (descriptive)

6. Second Assessment: about information and its exchange Information exchange often irregular, intermittent, opaque and unstructured Harmonization of information and approaches is a challenge Joint monitoring & assessment hardly exist in many transboundary basins Weak exchange of data between different national sector authorities Information too often scattered and isolated and does not support sound management and decision-making Basin level information commonly not available Cost of and access to information is a major issue in many countries + Assessment preparation process promoted exchange, cooperation and capacity building + Common assessment a tool to harmonize approaches

7. Basin example: water resources & the context of their use Discharge Withdrawal Land use/ Land cover Population

8. Why information on the status of water resources is necessary? Information basis for decision-making and policy development Helps to guide management efforts — accurate identification of pressure sources, determining suitability of waters for use etc. Verifying effectiveness of measures taken Increased efficiency in allocating funds In shared waters, comparable information across the basin is needed to form a comprehensive picture of the situation Provides evidence to inform inter-sectoral and transboundary dialogue (e.g. agricultural and energy policies impact on waters)

9. Assessments/reporting requirements related to the status of water resources at different levels National: according to the legislation and water management issues Basin level Sub-regional —European Commission, European Env. Agency (EEA) Water Framework Directive Bathing Water Directive etc. Regional/pan-European UNECE Water Convention Protocol on Water and Health Global, e.g. Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) Water, SDGs, System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water How can SEIS help to make relevant information available at source?

10. For a meaningful comparison: common (international) definitions, harmonized approaches Spatial dimension: What does a value represent? -Which basin, water body? -Surface water, groundwater? -Season, year?

11. Benefits of common, clear methodologies for assessment of waters and reporting across the region Comparability (across borders, notably) A common basis for identifying challenges and needs for action — nationally, at basin level and regionally Some pressures on water quality clearly (sub-)regional: air pollution, pollution of recipient seas from land-based sources Benefit from a wider exchange of good practices/international experience Promoting cooperation Making information available saves effort Increased public awareness & access to information (trust, legitimacy) Serves to inform, guide and stimulate further action by different actors (including donors and the research community)

12. Starting data collection gradually - ideas The way forward: 1) Balance ambition and resources, 2) Define key indicators to keep the effort reasonable, 3) Select representative results, 4) Eventually, start establishing pressure-status-impact links Key pressure indicators: Total (volume of) freshwater abstraction If possible, relate to the available (renewable) water resource Wastewater discharges, as priority the volume of non- treated/not adequately treated wastewater Key status indicators: Mean concentration of BOD in major rivers Mean concentration of nitrates in major rivers