Arab Water Week 2013, Amman Eileen Maternowski, Water Policy Advisor, ESCWA-BGR Cooperation
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Transcript of Arab Water Week 2013, Amman Eileen Maternowski, Water Policy Advisor, ESCWA-BGR Cooperation
Arab Water Week 2013, AmmanEileen Maternowski, Water Policy Advisor, ESCWA-BGR Cooperation
Outline
I Introduction objectives, rationale, development & process
II Features 26 chapters, 50 new geographic maps &website
III Added Values and Outlook
Launch: World Water Day 2013
The Inventory is the first UN-led effort to take stock of the region’s shared surface and groundwater resources in a comprehensive, systematic and standardized manner.
Key aspects: hydrology, hydrogeology water resources development and useagreements and cross-border management efforts
What is the Inventory?
Covers all surface and groundwater resources shared between Arab countries in Western Asia.Also includes data on water resources that are shared with Iran, Israel and Turkey.
Scope of the InventoryRegional Overview Map: Western Asia
In-depth research and data collection focuses mainly on popular cases of dispute.Information sources such as maps and data series are outdated, or limited to the national context. The region has some of the most extensive and productive groundwater systems in the world - but these ‘hidden assets’ have not been systematically assessed across borders.Regional debate on shared water issues needs orientation and reference. Many ESCWA countries support the Inventory.Western Asia is one of the few regions not covered yet by other assessments with similar purpose (i.e. ISARM).
Background
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Objectives
Document the state of shared water resources and their use
Improve the knowledge base and facilitate access to information on shared water resources
Create awareness among decision makers, experts and the general public
Stimulate an informed discussion within and among riparian countries
Support regional processes towards improved dialogue and cooperation over shared water resources (e.g. ‘Legal Framework’)
Work Process
2009 20132010-2012
Launch: World Water Day 2013
Regional Consultative MeetingIndividual missions and discussionsBasin information packages sent with specific data and information requestsCommenting on chapters
Focal Points
Committee on Water Resources
ESCWA-BGR Team
Consultation with CountriesESCWA Intergouvernmental Committee on Water Resourcesbacking the process since 2009
Nominated focal points from: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, UAE and Yemen
Inventory Features
Chapter Features
Chapter Features
MAPS: Surface Water Basins
MAPS• Jordan River• Orontes River• Euphrates-
Tigris-Shatt Al Arab• El Kebir River• Qweik River
Basin Precipitation Maps
Overview Maps
Add picMAPS: Groundwater Aquifer Systems
Shared Aquifer Systems Mesozoic and Paleozoic Era
Shared Aquifer Systems Cenozoic Era
Overview Maps
Wajid Aquifer System
Coastal Aquifer Basin
Overview Maps
ADDED VALUE
ESCWA member countries Non-ESCWAShared Aquifer Systems BAH EGY IRQ JOR KUW LEB OMA PAL QTR SAU SYR UAE YEM IRN ISR TUR
ARABIAN PENINSULA
Saq Ram Wajid Wasia Biyadh Aruma (S): Tawila-Mahra / Cretaceous Sands Wasia Biyadh Aruma (N): Sakaka-Rutba U er R‘ Dammam (S): Rub‘ El Khali U er R‘ Dammam (Center): Gulf U er R‘ Dammam (N): Widyan-Salman
Tawil-Quaternary: Wadi Sirhan Basin
THE MASHREK
Anti-Lebanon Western Aquifer Basin Coastal Aquifer Basin Basalt (W): Yarmouk Basin
Basalt (SE): Azraq Basin
MESOPOTAMIAincl. Tauros-Zagros
Taurus-Zagros Jezira Tertiary Limestone Neogene (NW) - Upper and Lower Fars: Jezira Basin
Neogene (SE) Dibdibba – Kuwait Group
Added Value: Identification of shared aquifer systems
Added Value:Focus discussion on shared aquifer systems
Example: Saq-Ram Aquifer System (West) – ‘Disi’ Aquifer• approx. exploitability • groundwater development
Added Value: Visualization in new maps
Example:Map of shared tributaries of the Tigris River• Sub-basin delineation • Infrastructure• agricultural development
Figure 4. a) Mean annual discharge, b) specific mean annual discharge and c) discharge anomaly time series of the Orontes (1932-2010)
Added Value: Hydrological baseline and trends
Example:Discharge Variability: Orontes River - visualize trend, drought years
Flow Regime: Euphrates River - effect of river regulation
Added Value: Compilation of various data sources I
Example: Water Quality Euphrates River• National Data sets• Scientific publications
Example: Water Use• Remote Sensing Studies• Agricultural Statistics (proxy)• National Sector data
Added Value: Compilation of various data sources II
Added Value: Understanding existing cooperation
Example: Orontes River
Science level• a reference document• systematic yet reader friendly• comprehensive and with level of detail• objective and using scientific approach Policy level• process itself has created awareness
and stimulated dialogue
Inventory is not just another publication, because it is…
Remaining Challenges
further conceptual work in dealing with shared aquifer systems needed completion, validation and updating of baseline information
Horizontal expansion (i.e. new ESCWA members / North Africa)
Integrating science into policy Enhance cooperation on the ground
Move beyond water allocation
VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.waterinventory.or
g
Eileen MaternowskiWater Policy [email protected] +961 70 116 124
Thank you for your attention!
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)P.O. Box 11-8575Beirut, Lebanon