International Water Law: the UN GA Resolution & TARM Governance: UNESCO

Transcription

1 The GEF International Waters Conference, Cairns October th 2009 International Water Law: the UN GA Resolution & TARM Governance: UNESCO UNESCO-IAH-ISARMISARM Ambassador Chusei Yamada Shammy Puri

2 Codification of International Law for transboundary aquifers by the United Nations

3 Codification Sources of International Law International Treaties Customary International Law International custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law ( Article 38,1,b of the Statute of the International Court of Justice)

4 World Transboundary Aquifers

5 Scope of Application (a) Utilization of Aquifers (b) Other Activities Likely to have an Impact on Aquifers (c) Protection, Preservation & Management of Aquifers

6 Pressures on aquifers

7 Definitions Permeable water-bearing geological formation underlain by a less permeable layer & The water contained in the saturated zone of the formation

8 Sovereignty Each Aquifer State has sovereignty over the portion of a transboundary aquifer located within its territory. It shall exercise its sovereignty in accordance with international law and the present articles.

9 Major Principles Equitable and reasonable utilization Obligation not to cause significant harm Obligation to cooperate

10 An example..

11 63/124 December UN Resolution Takes note of the draft articles Encourages the States concerned to make appropriate arrangements, taking into account the provisions of the draft articles Decides to consider the final form of the draft articles

12 Thank you Acknowledgement UNESCO International Association of Hydrogeologists Economic Commission for Europe Franco Swiss Genevese Aquifer Authority Guarani Aquifer System Project BGR Cooperating Hydrogeologists Chusei YAMADA

13 Governance Convergence of increasing climate variability with 2009 crises in i food & finance. The technologies for freshwater are generally in place Actions is awaited World Water Day was devoted to transboundary water

14 Approach Some history transboundary waters in ancient times Global distribution of aquifers resources The matter of governance A trialogue - roles, rules, regulations & finance Building the TARM knowledge pyramid - lessons Where do we need action? Some messages

15 Ancient wisdom

16 ISARM Programme ( ): Multi disciplinary integrated approach Inventory process well advanced, 70 in Americas, >30 in Africa, 90 in Europe,?? In Asia UN GA Rosolution: Use of Transboundary Aquifers Current focus, till the culmination of the Programme Sharing countries will work together to ensure the continued, sound functioning of aquifer systems and will reduce the risks to the integrity of an aquifer system

17 Science to policy in the IHP Transition of IHP s phases: IHP IV Hydrology and Water Resources Sustainable Development in a Changing Environment in a Changing Environment IHP-V Hydrology and Water Resources Development in a Vulnerable Environment in a Vulnerable Environment IHP-VII (operational) Water Dependencies: and Societal Responses Systems under Stress and IHP-VI Water Interactions: and Social Challenges Systems at Risk and ISARM

18 Global Aquifer distribution

19 Utilisation of aquifer water

20 Roles, Rules, Regulation & Finance Political forces Regulations Physical landscapes Sector tensions From the farmer to the global markets Users, Irrig Ind Society Climate variability & risks Sustainable Water Resource Management for Community Use IFI s, GEF ODA Economy History & culture Poverty alleviation

21 Almost all countries have transboundary aquifers Middle Sarmatian-Pontian GWB Dragonja 2. Kupa 7. Sava 3. Kupa 4. Una 5. Cetina 6. Neretva 9. Backa & Banat 21.Upper Pannonian-Lower Pleistocene Central Serbia 10. Srem. 11. West Serbia 19. East Serbia 23.Sarmatian & 24.Upper Jurassic -Lower Cret.GWB 16. Gaber-Nesla 12. SW Serbia 17. Znepole 18. Tran Zemen 43.Svilengrad 44.Topolograd 45.Malko Tarnovo 37.Nastan Sandansky 46.Rezovska 38.Smolyan Dojran Svilengrad Gevgelija Gotze 39.Rudozem 42.Orestiada Delchev 40.Erma Reka 30.Pelagonija 47.Meric 36.Orvilos & 31.Florina 26.Pagoni Vjosa 27.Mourgana

22 Ground Water Table Aquifer Impermeable Layer Typologies of transboundary aquifers Ground Water Table Aquifer Impermeable Layer STATE A STATE B Ground Water Table Trans-Border STATE A STATE A River STATE B STATE B "Domestic" River Aquifer Impermeable Layer Impermeable Layer Impermeable Layer RECHARGE ZONE Ground Water Table Line of Confinement STATE A STATE B STATE A STATE B Ground Water Table Impermeable Layer Impermeable Layer Impermeable Rock Formations Confined Aquifer Impermeable Layer Confined Aquifer Impermeable Layer Aquifer Border River Impermeable Layer

23 ..aquifers come with pre fitted storage

24 Global Inventory 3D bulk flow

25 Knowledge pyramid How do we transpose the Articles into national & regional polices?? International Instruments: ILC Articles Global synthesis: WHYMAP Sub regional initiatives & collaboration eg Americas, SADC, SE Europe & others Joint multiple country identifications of shared aquifers Country inventories of aquifers that extend across national boundaries

26 Perception & representation predictable Linear..(optimal) planning - optimal output -command & control planning -top down central planning Effective hierarchical organisations -scientific knowledge Its in the mind inflexible = ineffective linear EcoSystem Complex adaptive system Perception & representation Unpredictability Adaptive management -processes & interactions between parts of different temporal & spatial scale -experiment, monitoring, evaluation, feedback, & iterate -distributed & localised planning Organisation that deals with change Knowledge diversity=scientific + wisdom

27 Governance in Aquifers for adaptive management How to incorporate this to policy to ensure that land owners get the benefit

28 Message to take back.. The ancients recognised transboundary waters The science community seem to communicate with ease across boundaries Cross Community Collaboration requires patience and perceptiveness [CCC PP] Regulations, society & economy operate in a trialogue recognise the tensions / attractions Inflexible = ineffective; linear vs,, complex adaptive systems

29 The valley of Susamyr in the Tien Shan mountanis Thanks you for your attention! Questions? Contact: