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A Matter of Survival

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

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