Water Diplomacy and Governance in key Transboundary Hot Spot

Projet terminé

With growing water scarcity, collaboration in the management of transboundary waters becomes a building block of international security, regional stability and economic growth. Implemented in four synergistic partial actions, this programme contributes to an equitable, sustainable and inclusive management and governance of transboundary lakes, rivers and aquifers in Africa, Asia, Meso- and Southern America.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Afrique
Monde entier
Eau
nothemedefined
Diplomatie et sécurité dans le domaine de l'eau
Conservation des ressources en eau
Politique du secteur de l’eau
01.01.2016 - 30.04.2019
CHF  10’576’680
Contexte

Transboundary water bodies create hydrological, social and economic interdependencies between societies. While incorporating a potential for competition and conflict, they also provide opportunities for cooperation. Sound operational and legal frameworks and reliable data are essential for stable and reliable cooperation.

Objectifs

To enhance water governance and management in targeted basins (in Asia, Africa and America) in order to ensure that their users – especially the most vulnerable populations – have an equitable and sustainable access to the water resource, favoring social, economic and ecological development.

Groupes cibles
  • Basin organisations and/or regional economic commissions,
  • National government institutions and agencies,
  • Municipal and provincial level governments,
  • Local communities and people living in the concerned basins.
Effets à moyen terme

Water Diplomacy: Global commitments, concepts and platforms on water & security lead to more cooperation and less conflicts over water resources,

Water Governance: Transboundary water management frameworks and cooperation are in place in hot spot regions,

Strategic projects: Data, information and knowledge management is effectual and backs evidence-based dialogue and decision-making in water resources management.

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Water diplomacy:

  • At least five countries outside United Nations Economic Commission for Europe are taking steps to accede the Water Convention
  • Institutional and policy frameworks strengthened in twelve transboundary basins, of which in seven through specific water governance agreements, and in two through formation of river basin organisations
  • Management of transboundary aquifers becomes part of international hydro-diplomacy discourse

Water governance: 

  • At least seven political cooperation processes supported by analysing the benefits of cooperation or assessing the water-food-energy-ecosystem nexus
  • Formation of at least nine inclusive water user associations

Strategic projects: 

  • Open-access databases with watershed and socio-economic date established in Ethiopia and Kenya
  • Payment for watershed services scheme developed for Blue Nile

 


Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Water governance change processes were conducted in nine transboundary river basins and three aquifers. These processes delivered short term benefits, enabled regional dialogue and cleared a pathway to formal transboundary water management and governance mechanisms. Among many more examples, the riparian countries of Lake Malawi agreed to new cooperative steps that should eventually lead to the establishment of a tripartite commission. In Ethiopia and Kenya rich and online accessible data and information repositories were established and serve as knowledge platforms for cross-scale policy dialogue and water user associations were strengthened.

Transboundary water cooperation is a complex and lengthy process. Standardised approaches are useful toolboxes, but need to be adapted to local conditions. The spill-over from technical to political water cooperation is not automatic but involves communication, advocacy, trust building and capacity development on technical and political levels. Targeted knowledge products for evidence-based dialogue and decision-making are essential to inform the policy processes.


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Crédit Coopération au développement
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Autre organisation internationale
Secteur privé
Institution universitaire et de recherche suisse
Organisme des Nations Unies (ONU)
  • Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature
  • Other UN Organisation
  • Secteur privé étranger Nord
  • Commission suisse pour l’UNESCO
  • Unversität Bern
  • University of Berne: Center for Development and Environment of the University of Berne (CDE) for the Water and Land Resources Centers project; International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the Building River Dialogue and Governance project; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the Governance in Transboundary Aquifers project; United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) for the 1992 Water Convention.


Autres partenaires

RECs: IGAD, EAC, SADC, ECOWAS, ASEAN
Basin organisations, national and local level government institutions and authorities, universities, research centers and networks, NGOs, local water users.

Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

UN-Water; FAO/WB, ADB, GEF; UNEP, UNDP, GWP, INBO; SDC Regional Cooperation, Geneva Water Hub.

Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    10’576’680 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    10’377’887 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   28’096’650
Phases du projet Phase 4 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)

Phase 3 01.01.2016 - 30.04.2019   (Completed)

Phase 2 01.04.2013 - 30.06.2016   (Completed) Phase 1 01.02.2011 - 30.04.2013   (Completed)