Page 51 - report_A Matter of Survival

A Matter of Survival

These international instruments have established a general Towards a Global Data Network
international framework, but now implementation requires
further legal and policy instruments, as well as technical Effective management is predicated upon effective monitoring
solutions both at the national and international levels. and data sharing: what we cannot monitor and measure, we
cannot manage. As mentioned above, the current level of
Although existing and future transboundary water systems international water cooperation is hampered by the weaknesses
provide an immediate opportunity in this context, those are in the efforts to acquire, maintain, and share hydrological data
inherently limited in two ways. First, as already explained, on a regular and sustainable basis to meet the growing demand
mechanisms for transboundary water cooperation include for such information. In spite of various initiatives aimed at
surface watercourses and lakes, and only rarely aquifers. developing water monitoring capabilities and open access to
Second, they cannot themselves produce the necessary data, geo-referenced data on water remain scarce, fragmented
solutions at the global level. These two problems will need to be and frequently difficult to access and interpret.
tackled separately.
Data can also be seen as a lever for action and initiatives necessary
Protecting Aquifers to improve the level of water cooperation. In that sense, the state
and availability of data are of importance to the maintenance of
Depletion of the world’s aquifers, and the importance of international stability and peace. The work led by Oregon State
recognizing shared aquifers by the States concerned has already University regarding the transboundary freshwater dispute
been mentioned in the preceding chapter. While many specific database offers a remarkable example of integrating spatial and
solutions relating to aquifers depend on policies adopted socio-political data. This data allows for better assessment of
by individual States, within the responsible exercise of their the problems and can be used to encourage cooperation.
sovereignty, the appeal to protect aquifers is of global relevance.
Moreover, the general information about aquifers is inadequate, Several UN agencies have built databases to understand the
which is of concern since aquifers represent about 90 percent of functioning of hydro-systems. Among others, one can cite the
non-frozen global freshwater reserves. WMO’s hydrological observation system, UNESCO’s Water
Information Network System (WINS) and the Transboundary
Thus, international cooperation on protecting water quality and Water Assessment Programme (TWAP) led by UNEP.
quantity in internationally shared aquifers has to be developed
much further. As of 2016, only five transboundary aquifers are Much useful work has been done by UNEP, in the context of its
covered by specific agreements and two aquifers have informal overall mandate in the field of environmental protection. UNEP’s
agreements. There is a need for States sharing aquifers to Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) was already
develop the necessary cooperation that will include three types launched in 1978 and is a source of water quality data from
of measures: the system’s 83 participating countries. GEMS has succeeded
in creating a unique global water quality monitoring network
▪ Studies to understand transboundary aquifers and issues which provides water quality data to a central database called
specifically related to their quantity and quality, as well as GEMStat. Since 2006, this database exists online and can be of
that of the dependent ecosystem. assistance to technical experts and policy makers.
▪ Standardized data collection systems on transboundary
aquifers to enable a permanent analysis of water quality. Regular assessments of the status of transboundary waters are
▪ Joint measures to counter any threat that might be identified carried out within the framework of the UNECE Water Convention.
They involve both States Parties and non-parties, and provide
as affecting transboundary aquifers.
significant information on the pressures on water resources, the
transboundary impacts and the response measures. The first
However, the ability and willingness of countries sharing aquifers two assessments (in 2007 and 2011) focused on European and
to take such measures vary from region to region, and are based adjacent countries while the third assessment, planned for 2021,
on the region’s history, technical capacity and the political will have global coverage.
will of the countries concerned. There are several examples of
successful endeavors by countries in collecting and sharing water The progress made so far must be appreciated, nevertheless,
quality data, including through the work done by transboundary more can and should be done at the global level. The international
river organizations, which should inspire other States that share community ought to be able to use the relevant technologies,
surface waters and aquifers but have not yet developed water in particular remote sensing, in order to strengthen existing
quality cooperation. Cooperation and increased transparency databases. The principle of transparency should be more broadly
allow for policy measures capable of addressing emerging water accepted. This would enable better understanding and more
quality problems in a timely fashion, thus preventing serious easy access to information, even in situations where cooperation
problems and political tensions that could gradually emerge. among riparian countries remains limited. Moreover, greater
accessibility of and, ultimately, open access to water data and
transparency in policy making would be of great benefit to the
affected people in general, not only those directly dependent on
transboundary water.

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