STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THE 7 TH PHASE OF IHP (IHP-VII, )

Transcription

1 Paris, 12 July 2004 Original: English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAMME 16 th Session of the IHP Intergovernmental Council (Paris, September 2004) STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THE 7 TH PHASE OF IHP (IHP-VII, ) Item 11 of the Provisional Agenda SUMMARY This document provides a concept note for IHP-VII prepared by a special Task Force formed as per the decision of the 35 th session of the Bureau, based on contributions received from several IHP National Committees in March and June 2004 and the comments of the 36th session of the Bureau. The Council is requested to review this concept note and to comment on it and to endorse the main concept of IHP-VII. It is also invited to advice on the items raised in paragraph 36 and Appendix A. (SC-2004/CONF.203/CLD.38)

2 Page 1 GLOSSARY CATHALAC Centre for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean CAZALAC Centre for Arid and Semiarid Regions of Latin America and the Caribbean FRIEND Flow Regimes From International Experimental And Network Data GEF/STAP Global Environment Facility / Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel GOUTTE Global Observatory of Units for Teaching,Training and Ethics of Water G-WADI Arid Zones Programme HELP Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy IAHS International Association of Hydrological Sciences IHE UNESCO Institute for Water Education IHP UNESCO International Hydrological Programme IFI International Flood Initiative (Programme) IGOs International Governmental Organizations IGRAC International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre IRTCES International Research and Training Centre on Erosion and Sedimentation IRTCUD International Research and Training Centre on Urban Drainage ISARM UNESCO-IHP Internationally Shared Aquifers Resources Management ISI International Sedimentation Initiative IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management NGOs Non Governmental Organizations JPOI Johannesburg Plan of Implementation PCCP UNESCO/WWAP Potential Conflict to Co-operation Potential PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNMDGs United Nations Millennium Development Goals UNDESD United Nations Department of Economic and Social Development UNITWIN UNIVERSITY TWINNING and networking scheme WHYMAP World-wide Hydrogeological Mapping and Assessment Programme WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development WWAP World Water Assessment Programme WWDR World Water Development Report

3 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Glossary page 1 Executive Summary page 3 Introduction page 3 Proposed outline for IHP-VII page 4 Procedural aspects page 6 Decision of the Council page 7 Annex I: Annex II: Annex III: Concept note and proposed approach for the Seventh Phase of the IHP ( ) Outline of the Planning Process for the Seventh Phase of the IHP ( ) List of IHP National Committees that sent inputs for IHP-VII in March 2004

4 Page 3 Progress Report on the Formulation of the 7 th phase of the IHP INTRODUCTION STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THE 7 TH PHASE OF IHP (IHP-VII, ) Executive Summary 1- The objective of the present document is to present a Concept Note and a draft approach for the forthcoming seventh phase of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) as a basis for discussion and endorsement by the 16 th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Council. This document also provides a detailed explanation on the background and the considerations that have guided the Task Force of experts in the formulation of the Concept Note and the proposed approach for the title, themes, objectives and focal areas of the seventh phase of the IHP ( ). In setting out the Concept Note for IHP-VII full account was taken of contributions received from the National Committees. Nevertheless it is agreed that the current Concept Note should be considered to be a work in progress as it will be further developed and defined after consultations with the Bureau, the Council and with the IHP National Committees following the timetable established by the 35 th Session of the Bureau. 2- In the preparation of the present Concept Note and proposed approach particular consideration was given to the key issues expected to be significant in the period The Concept Note also presents a set of reasons given in support of the consideration that the science of hydrology has demonstrated that many of the planetary systems (such as the hydrological and the ecological) are strongly interdependent, and a quantifiable number are now under identifiable stress (from population growth, expanding infrastructure, land conversion and accumulation of pollutants). Stress levels in some regions are sufficiently elevated so that society should be prepared to decisively develop and implement responses to them. 3- As a result of the review of the objectives and achievements of the previous efforts in the fifth and sixth phases of IHP and on the historical strategic evolution of the previous phases of IHP, in which societal aspects of hydrology increased in importance over time, the note proposes that it would not be appropriate to adopt any step change in the direction of the IHP. Therefore it is suggested the approach that ensures continuity with change as an over riding factor in the seventh phase of the IHP. The proposed framework would ensure continuity with the high quality efforts of the previous phases of IHP, yet expanding the arena in which UNESCO would assist and support water-related actions across the UN system as well as other international agencies, governments, Member States and stakeholders. Thus it was highlighted the need to widen IHP s future scope in several specific areas, such as socio-economics, health, groundwater, governance and ecohydrology. In order to better express the transition from phase VI to phase VII capturing continuity with change three threads run through all the proposed IHPVII themes were identified as :

5 Page 4 system interdependencies, systems under stress and societal responses PROPOSED OUTLINE OF IHP-VII 4- The three threads are best captured by the following suggested title Water Dependencies: Systems under Stress and Societal Responses. It is therefore reiterated that IHP should continue to be based on three main pillars hydrological research, water resources management, education and capacity building. Consequently it should continue to focus on the strengthening of the existing scientific knowledge to provide new directions for science and research to develop scientific tools and responses to help solve challenges posed by global changes adverse effects. The structure of the forthcoming phase of IHP will be built on a set of themes, each theme will be defined by one main objective, and it will consists of a range of focal areas under each theme. For each focal areas will be proposed a set of activities and indicators of achievement of objectives will be then also defined. These are not presented in the present document as they will be detailed after further consultation with the IHP National Committees. In the present Note are proposed Four Themes as follows: Water Dependencies: Systems under Stress and Societal Responses Theme I: Global Change, Watersheds and Aquifers Theme II: Governance, and Socio-Economics Theme III: Ecohydrology and Environmental Sustainability Theme IV: Water Quality, Human Health and Food Security For each Theme a main objective and primary focal areas are proposed: Theme I- Global Change, Watersheds and Aquifers Objective : Achieve improved definition of water dependencies in the face of continuing global change, assess particularly stressed areas and develop institutional synergies to mitigate them. Primary Focal Areas : Focal Area I-1: Large-scale groundwater dependencies related to global change. Focal Area I-2: Hydrological extremes in sensitive and stressed biomass and hydroclimatic zones e.g. small island developing states. Focal Area I-3: Global change and feedback mechanisms of hydrological processes in stressed environments.

6 Page 5 Focal Area I-4: Changing global dynamics in aquatic environments: degrading ecosystems, especially those susceptible to sea level change, coastal sediment balance and pollutant accumulation. Theme II: Governance and Socio-Economics Objective: Strengthen good governance, wise stewardship of the resources; achieve capacity development and promote assured flow of finances. Focal Area II-1: Culture, ethics and legislation for wise stewardship of water. Focal Area II-2: Good Governance, capacity development and stakeholder participation. Empowerment of human resources. Focal Area II-3: Affordability, poverty alleviation and assured financing, for effective IWRM. Include water in national PRSP' Focal Area II-4: Shared Water resources and conflict Theme III: Ecohydrology and Environmental Sustainability Objective: Enhance the designation of water both as an abiotic resource, and as a service, delivered by eco system processes; identify, quantify and improve the critical linkages for environmental sustainability Focal Area III-1: Water as a landscape agent: erosive capacity, mobile solvent, habitat for aquatic biota - interdependencies and regulation in biogeochemical cycling. Focal Area III-2: Complementing engineering solutions with ecological measures resulting in sustainable carrying capacity of ecosystems Focal Area III-3: Urbanization pressures, sustainable cities, towns and villages; water and sanitation for mega cities Focal Area III-4: Risk based environmental management (under uncertainty), especially climate change threats to ecosystem functions Theme IV: Water Quality, Human Health and Food Security Objective: Improved understanding of the distribution of abiotic and biotic pollutants in the water cycle and their impact on human heath; access to water for long term food security Focal Area IV-1: Methodologies for safeguards against water borne biotic and abiotic pollutants Focal Area IV-2: Access to safe water, human health and integrated water resource management. Focal Area IV-3: Non-conventional water resources: brackish water use and waste water re-use. Focal Area IV-4: Access to water for food security in environmentally stressed zones.

7 Page 6 5- The Concept Note considers that education, training and transfer of technology remain among the most important roles of IHP. It is acknowledged that the IHP capacity to provide education and training has improved during IHP V and VI through the establishment of a of several regional and international centres and of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Therefore it is proposed that the role of the IHP- VII and the capacity of IHP to master and develop water education opportunities should be strengthened. IHP should increase its capacity creating a real network among the existing centers, chairs and related institutes and setting up an efficient coordination mechanism that should allow them to take responsibility for the implementation of activities of the programme and facilitate the identification of gaps to orient the decisions of Member States in the establishment of new centers. This mechanism should be set up using also the new capacity existing at the UNESCO IHE Institute. 6- The selected approach also proposes that the IHP should provide and direct better focus to water and society interdependency, including water governance, economics, culture and ethics also in particular in consideration of the emerging problems posed by the international scientific community and the recent UN summits. IHP should create the ground for developing valuable contribution to the achievement of UN MDG s and to the planned Water for Life decade. 7- Consequently the Note seeks the advice of the Council and the IHP National Committees to better define the role that the IHP would play in the international and UN main water related frameworks. In particular it is presented the proposal for a fifth optional theme, entitled Water for Life in connection with the forthcoming decade of the same title. Such a theme would have much synergy with the proposed theme IV and they could be combined and strengthened. However, UNESCO IHP s adoption of a Water for Life theme, aiming to coordinate the whole UN programme under the General Assembly declaration, would have significant financial and resources implications for IHP. The present document offers for considerations the opinion of the Task Force that suggests that the IHP should take the key role and lead the Decade. 8- The Note also shows evidence of several IHP-VI on going projects and initiatives (FRIEND, HELP, G-WADI, PCCP, WHYMAP, ISARM, ISI, IFI) have made significant contributions to the science of hydrology and water resources and to cooperative networking among the hydrological community. Therefore it is suggested that two IHP-VI cross-cutting programme components of FRIEND and HELP would need to continue. Both components should be considered as the testing grounds for policies and programmes to be developed under Phase VII. Similarly PC-CP, ISI, IFP and ISARM would continue and be strengthened under IHP-VII. PROCEDURAL ASPECTS 9- For the preparation of the present document the Secretariat has followed the indications given by the 35 th session of the Bureau that recommended that the planning process of the 7 th Phase ( ) of IHP (IHP-VII) should be initiated, that established a timetable for the planning process and requested the Secretariat to submit a draft concept for IHP-VII for examination at the 36 th session. The Bureau also decided that a technical task force should be established to initiate the drafting of a long-term vision on the role of IHP in a changing world. The purpose of the Task Force was to put

8 Page 7 forward a conceptual framework for the 7 th phase of IHP ( ) for discussion by various stakeholders of IHP, taking into account the evolution of the international agenda and action in the field of freshwater, the situation within UNESCO, and the relevant MDGs and WSSD decisions as well as the proposals received from the IHP National Committees by the date of the first session of the task force. 10- In 20 October 2003 a letter was sent to IHP National Committees requesting their input to the planning of IHP-VII. As of 20 March 2004, replies were received from 20 National Committees. Based on consultations with the professional and scientific associations having close relations with IHP, a task force was formed in consultation with the Bureau. Members of the Task Force are: Shammy Puri (Chair), Manager Water and Environment, Chairman International Association of Hydrogeologists Blanca Jimenez, Senior Researcher, Institute of Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico, International Water Association Mohammed Karamouz, Professor, School of Engineering Amir Kabir University, Tehran, Iran Koichiro Kuraji, Lecturer, Forest Hydrology, University of Tokyo, International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) Iwona Wagner, International Society of Limnology, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Ecology, University of Lodz, Poland Stefan Uhlenbrook, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Institute of Hydrology, University of Freiburg, Germany, International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) 11- The Task Force met for the first time in Paris on March 2004 to prepare a first draft of a proposed approach for the IHPVII that was presented to the 36 th Session of the IHP Bureau. The first draft was presented by Mr. S. Puri, chairperson of the task force at the 36 th session of the Bureau that acknowledged the progress made and agreed that the draft note would be sent to all IHP National Committees by 9 April 2004 requesting further comments by 20 June It was also agreed that the task force would then reconvene to review the comments received on the draft concept paper and prepare a revised note to be submitted to the 16 th session of the IHP Intergovernmental Council for comments and endorsement. Therefore the Task Force met June to prepare a Concept Note incorporating the comments of the IHP Bureau and the IHP National Committees. Inputs were received from 31 National Committees. DECISION OF THE COUNCIL 12- The Council is requested to comment on the Concept Note as presented in this document and endorse the main concept of IHP-VII. After that, as suggested by the Bureau, the document will be circulated again amongst the IHP National Committees, and will be shared with the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the UNESCO IHP Centers, UNESCO water-related Chairs, as well as key NGO, IGOs, UN system partners and other stakeholders in order to solicit the widest possible consultation and feedback. In accordance with the timetable established by the Bureau the final programme Proposal for the IHP-VII will be submitted by the Secretariat to the 17 th Session of the IHP Council in 2006.

9 Annex I ANNEX I U N E S C O Meeting of the Task Force for IHP-VII (Paris, June 2004) SECOND DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE AND PROPOSED APPROACH FOR THE SEVENTH PHASE OF THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAMME (IHP) ( ) I. INTRODUCTION 1. A Concept Note outlining a proposed approach to IHP-VII was provided to the IHP Bureau for their consideration in April Subsequently that Note was also circulated to National Committees for their comments. Drawing on the valuable contributions received from the Bureau and the inputs sent by the IHP National Committees in March and in June, the IHP VII Task Force was reconvened from the 28 th to 30 th June 2004 to further develop the Concept Note and the proposed approach as presented in this document, including objectives of the themes and their focal areas. This second report follows the deliberations of the Task Force and sets out in further detail the evolving ideas for IHP VII. The Task Force would like to record its gratitude to the IHP Secretariat for their considerable help in arranging the meeting, providing excellent logistical support and guidance to the IHP process 1. II. BACKGROUND TO THE SECOND REPORT 2. In the Concept Note (March 2004) four broad themes were proposed for IHP VII: global changes, governance and socio-economics, environmental management and water quality-human health-food security. The Task Force was of the view that progression from phase VI to phase VII should incorporate continuity with change responding to new needs. Those IHP activities that have reached maturity under phase VI would be gradually concluded, or transferred to other suitable IHP related organizations. Those still under development would continue. Phase VII would support new activities that respond to challenges posed by the global challenges that the scientific community has to face. 3. In phase VII ( ) IHP should continue to have a wide ranging focus on issues both at the global and the local scales. Water in the hydrological cycle acts as the essential bloodstream for all terrestrial and coastal systems. Water provides environmental services, and at the same time is a vital resource, both in the built and the 1 In the current medium term strategy IHP falls within the UNESCO Major Programme II.1, which seeks to improve human security through better management of the environment. The principle priority within it is water and associated ecosystems aiming at promotion of scientifically sound decisions, for the sustainable use of freshwater and its associated biodiversity resources

10 Annex I page 2 natural environments. Water is fundamental for societal needs in terms of ensuring environmental sustainability, provides environmental services, and at the same time is a vital resource, both in the built and the natural environments. Water is fundamental for societal needs in terms of ensuring environmental sustainability. At a global scale, IHP should thus see its role as promoter of the study, observation and quantification of uncertain global impacts that arise from the continuing expansion of human populations and infrastructure (cities, road networks, dams, canals, and irrigation schemes). Some such inadequately quantified global impacts include the changing balance of global sediment transport and the increasing pollutant accumulation in the aquatic environments. At the local scale, IHP s role is more complex and some priorities will have to be set. Water is fundamental for societal needs in terms of ensuring environmental sustainability (which is one of the Millennium Development Goals); with the widespread recognition of this fact, a huge number of worldwide actions are being mounted, resulting in a tangled web of actions. IHP should consider placing itself at the apex of what may be called a water-for-life web of actions, at least in the sphere of science and policy. From such a vantage point IHP could ensure that the important function of the ecohydrological services in the planets life support system are addressed in several key areas, not least, in water for food security, in assuring the vital ingredient for human survival and in alleviation of water-health related problems. At the catchment scale, IHP s role in waterenvironment management, such as impacts of erosion, dilution of waste, in translating land use activities into ecological sustainability involving secure habitats for aquatic biota cannot be forgotten. In addition, at this scale, also known as the landscape level. water is perceived as much more of a finite resource, and so its wise sharing between waterdependent activities is a challenge that IHP should not ignored. In the forthcoming IHP phase VII should therefore clearly define its position in the web of actions to help address scientific aspects of global and landscape level hydrology. The main themes for phase VII are based on these arguments, and are discussed in further detail in Section IV, below 4. In phase VII, IHP should reinforce its position in addressing scientific aspects of global hydrology. At the local level, within catchments, IHP should strengthen the issues linking hydrology to governance, to eco-hydrological imbalances and improving environmental management at the landscape level. IHP VII should also reinforce its position in support of the achievement of UNMDGs actions. The main themes proposed for IHP VII are discussed in further detail in Section IV, below. A. Overview and Point of Departure for the IHP VII 5. In the course of UNESCO s IHP-VI ( ), water has taken on a central position in the international environmental agenda. The Johannesburg Summit, the Millennium Development Goals, the 3 rd World Water Forum, the decision by the UN General Assembly to launch in 2005 an International Decade on Water for Life, and the decision of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development to devote its first two-year cycle to water, sanitation and human settlements in 2004 and 2005, all demonstrate that the concerns of the global community on water resources have been brought to the fore. As stated in the first report (WWDR) prepared by the UN World Water Assessment Programme presented at the 3rd World Water Forum in March 2003, we are in the midst

11 Annex I page 3 of a water crisis that has many faces. Despite this recognition, there is a serious concern that the water resources of the planet remain at threat due to poor management, fragmented policies and lack of clarity in implementation of urgent actions. 6. At its first meeting the Task Force was of the opinion that, broadly, current trends in global water resources management are such that in the forthcoming 20 years there would most likely be a continuing decline in the quality of water resources and consequently also all that is associated with it, i.e. human health, food security, livelihoods, environmental degradation and sustainable functioning of the biosphere. 7. The previous six Phases of the IHP since 1975 have shown that the scientific basis of hydrology was essential for the sound management of water. The focus in the early years was on developing techniques, methodologies and approaches for establishing the components of regimes to better define hydrological phenomena. By the early 1990s, the focus of IHP was on the sustainable development of essential water resources in the face of changing natural and built environments. By the mid 1990s, the focus moved to improving the management of water within the planet s recognisably vulnerable environments. In Phase VI, it has become clear that water is at the centre of interactions between many planetary systems that have been identified as being under risk and that these interactions have created social challenges. 8. The themes that were considered under phase VI included two cross-cutting themes of FRIEND and HELP : IHP-VII Water Interactions: Systems at Risk and Social Challenges Theme 1: Theme 2: Theme 3: Theme 4: Theme 5: Global Changes and Water Resources Integrated Watersheds and Aquifer Dynamics Land Habitat Hydrology Water and Society Water Education and Training 9. A full review of the achievements of the IHP Phase VI actions is awaited, but in advance of this, it is clear that the science of hydrology has demonstrated that many of the planetary systems (such as the hydrological and the ecological) are strongly interdependent; and a quantifiable number are now under identifiable stress (from population growth, expanding infrastructure, land conversion and accumulation of pollutants). Stress levels in some regions are sufficiently elevated so that society is prepared to decisively develop and implement responses to them. The responses are summed up by some of the challenges posed in the UN WWDR, such as the growing recognition and valuing of the multi-facets of water, ensuring that the water-related knowledge base is accessible to all, and that governance of water includes widespread stakeholder participation and transparency in management.

12 Annex I page 4 B. Review of current status 10. Notwithstanding the widespread predictions of declining global water conditions, at its first meeting the Task Force conducted its own subjective assessment of the next 20, 50 and 100 years 2, and concluded that water resources management is likely to remain fragmented in the near future leading to continued gradual deterioration especially where global, as well as local, systems are under increasing stress. However, the Task Force was optimistic that, as a result of the achievements of the many themes and focal area activities of the IHP-VI, as well as the other programmes in the UN system, corrective actions are likely to be taken by governments and stakeholders of water resources. The Task Force s perception was that beyond the 20 years, global environmental degradation could stabilise and even possibly be reversed. In this context, the Task Force again focussed on actions that would accelerate improvement. The Task Force agreed that contributions from scientific actions under IHP s planned Phase VII would be essential to continue the thrust of the earlier phases, even though IHP also needs to widen its role and actions to effectively address and positively influence the expected outcomes of the next 20 years. 11. Phase VII will become operational from 2008 to It thus fits squarely within the time frame of several worldwide initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals (to be achieved by 2015), and the Water for Life Decade (planned for ). There is an unparalleled opportunity for IHP to contribute to this worldwide effort 3, just as it did to the previous milestones, such as the 1977 Mar de Plata Conference, the International Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade ( ) by providing the services of the science of hydrology to the requirements of the planet s needs. 12. The Water for Life Decade provides an opportunity for the IHP to respond to the needs of governments and international agencies, in the same way that it provided a coordinating clearing-house function for the preparation of WWAP. However, as the detailed proposals for the Water for Life are so far still evolving, proposals made later in the Report for IHP s involvement should still be considered as optional, pending the view of the IHP Intergovernmental Council and other agencies. C. Water in the overall UNESCO context 13. When IHP-VII enters into implementation in 2008, it can be expected that a number of institutional and programming/budgetary parameters will have evolved within UNESCO, in addition to those which have already been mentioned in the broader international context. These expected changes have been taken into account, as far as is practical in preparing this draft concept for IHP-VII. 2 Task Force members voted for a series of questions posed to them by the Chair and the results were summed to asses where the majority voted. 3 As noted later in this Report, the IHP could be the main coordinating body for this initiative though the view of the Inter Governmental Council should first be sought. (see also Appendix A)

13 Annex I page 5 (i) Water as a principal priority 14. At the 31st session of the UN General Conference, Member States decided to make water and associated ecosystems a principal priority of UNESCO for the biennium. The 32nd General Conference decided to continue this priority status for the period. The 33rd General Conference will decide on whether to extend the status for another two-year period, i.e. until the end of the Organization s Medium Term Strategy. It has been learned from a series of consultations with the UNESCO National Commissions, that water and associated ecosystems will likely continue to be the principal priority of the Natural Sciences Sectors for It is an assumption of the Task Force that by 2008, water sciences, and hence the IHP, may no longer benefit from the substantial budgetary reinforcement it has enjoyed as a principal priority; nevertheless it is to be expected that UNESCO will continue to give very strong political and financial support to this theme, in which it will have invested heavily in the last decade. It is also assumed that the IHP Secretariat will continue to capitalize on the opportunities it had been afforded, and will have set in place a solid institutional and financial basis for IHP and UNESCO as a whole to continue serve Member States in the field of water sciences and sustainable development. (ii) Water Education 15. Comments from Member States on the Concept Note expressed some concern that education would be not take a priority role in the IHP-VII. While this was not the intention of the Task Force in preparing the first draft of the Concept Note at the contrary it is proposed that the role of the IHP-VII and the capacity to master and develop water education opportunities should be strengthen. IHP will increase its capacity to coordinate its water education related networks setting up a coordination mechanism among the UNESCO IHP Centers, Chairs and Institutes that should allow these to take responsibility for the implementation of activities of the programme. This mechanism has to be set up using also the new capacity existing at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. In setting out the framework for IHP-VII the task force took fully account of the crucial role that the IHP Centers and Chairs and Education related networks and the UNESCO-IHE Institute could play.it should be noted that IHE formally became a part of UNESCO in Well before 2008 when IHP-VII goes into effect, the Institute will be fully integrated in programming terms within UNESCO s overall effort in water education and research improving the capacity of IHP in coordinating and implementing water education related activities. While it is too early to know exactly how that programming integration will take shape, it can be assumed that by 2008 UNESCO-IHE will take more responsibility in support of the IHP water education and capacity building as it certainly will have a larger multiplying effect than a single educational officer at the Secretariat. 16. The significance of the many UNESCO and water research education centres is highly appreciated by National Committees, not least the work of the UNESCO Chairs and the Regional Centres. These centres provide significant training and preparation of future scientist and technicians. They also make substantial contribution to the understanding of the water cycle.

14 Annex I page 6 (iii) Ongoing actions: FRIEND, HELP, G-WADI, PCCP, WHYMAP, ISI, IFI, ISARM 17. There are several on going actions and initiatives that have been made operational under the previous phases of IHP. They have made significant contributions to the science of hydrology and water resources and to cooperative networking among the hydrological community. It is proposed that these IHP initiatives be continued during IHP-VII. (iv) Cooperation within the UN System: WWAP & WWDR 18. Twenty-four agencies of the UN system have been cooperating since 2000, under UNESCO s leadership, in the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) and its World Water Development Report (WWDR). The WWAP second report (WWDR) will be issued in 2006 and every three years thereafter. The case is apparent for the need for continued support by Member States to this important activity. There are also a number of other important initiatives underway that will improve cooperation and joint activities within the UN system, under the aegis of the UN-Water group and, presumably, within the framework of the forthcoming International Decade, Water for Life. It can therefore be anticipated that by 2008, UNESCO s work in water sciences will fit more tightly with action of the UN system as a whole. IHP-VII should be tailored to the unique role that UNESCO can play in this context, both in terms of building the knowledge base and providing services to Member States. III. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM IHP NATIONAL COMMITTEES 19. In preparing the first draft of the Concept for the IHP VII, the Task Force took account of contributions from the IHP National Committees received by March 2004 (Table 1 and Annex III). A summary of suggestions for the four themes and the priority actions as expressed by the National Committees are presented in Tables 1 and 2. Numbers in brackets represent the number of times an issue was mentioned, e.g. climate change was mentioned by eight National Committees. 20. In preparing the present version of the Concept Note and proposed approach for the IHP VII, the Task Force took account of the contributions from the IHP National Committees (Table 1 and Annex III) received by June Comments that were received following the circulation of the Concept Note are summarised and shown in Table 3. These comments together with the views of the Task Force form the basis of the evolving IHP phase VII strategy. 21. A further round of consultation is planned and this will take place in connection with the Inter Governmental Council meeting in September 2004.

15 Annex I page 7 Table 1. Initial Thematic Proposals by IHP National Committees for themes in IHP- VII (i) Climate changes and water resources (4) (ii) Sustainable water resources and environmental management (iii) Risk assessment and management of water resources systems for water security Extreme hydrological events (4) Extreme dry-period hydrology Water data-uncertainties and certainties/ hydrological modeling (2) Hydro-hazards and their impacts on society (2) ECOHYDROLOGY Compatibility between land use, development and water resources use and the protection of the environment and habitats Groundwater resources management and use Institutional and participation capacity building in real situations and ethical principles of application Economic and social assessment of externalities in order to analyze different alternatives for using and managing water resources Economic and social assessment of externalities in order to analyze different alternatives for using and managing water resources Institutional and participation capacity building in real situations and ethical principles of application Table 2. Initial Thematic Proposals concerning Research, Management and Education by IHP National Committees for lines of action in IHP-VII (i) Hydrological research Climate change (8); assessment of current/future state of water resources in context of CC local effects of CC rainwater assessment; impact of CC on agriculture, hydroelectric sector, bodies of water Improve modelling tools (e.g. by coupling meteorological tools with hydrological tools Improve modelling of ungauged basins Improve understanding of hydrological processes, in (ii) Water resources management Water resource management in drought situations (2) Emphasis on human needs Relationship between water resources and water use Non-conventional water resources use: desalinization and water re-use (3) Institutional and participation capacity building in real situations and ethical principles of (iii) Education Promotion of water saving and water supply optimization at every level and sector Development of attainable training products Equipping educational institutions with computers Assisting developing countries in developing hydrometric equipment and calibration systems More integrated approach to education

16 Annex I page 8 (i) Hydrological research particular hydrological role of vegetation and wetlands Forecasting extreme events Economic and social assessment of externalities in order to analyze different alternatives for using and managing water resources Rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge (3) Groundwater and surface water assessment (2). Characterization of the non altered water regime Groundwater legislation and abstraction rights Groundwater protection and monitoring Groundwater storage enhancement (artificial recharge of water) Adverse effect of sea level on aquifers Planning for creation of new surface water storages Reliable assessment of renewable water resources Analysis of effective freshwater use for different sectors of populations Development of interpolation methods (ii) Water resources management application Elaboration and introduction of economic mechanisms into transboundary water management Development of water dispute resolution techniques (2) Develop international laws for water resources use in international rivers and freshwater aquifers Demand management, efficient water utilization and pricing Private sector partnership in water production and distribution Implementation of EU water framework directive: setting new structures for classification of water bodies, setting ecological targets, planning relevant measures and monitoring Determination of instream flow requirements Relationship between quantitative hydrology, water quality and ecological requirements Interaction of groundwater with surface water and marine water Integrated use of infrastructure (dams, hydraulic structures in rivers) Long term monitoring for wells and springs Development of computer models for irrigation/water scheduling at watercourse command level (iii) Education and capacity building Specific learning programs for water resources management decision makers acting as users delegates Development of hydrological database and information system Integration of water research in the university curriculum On-job training programs for junior engineers and hydrologists Increasing public awareness on water related issues (3) Water pollution costs to society Water conservation and socio-economic impacts Municipal and rural wastewater techniques

17 Annex I page 9 TABLE 3: Summary of Comments from national Committees to the Concept Note General comments Agreement on schematic framework of IHP-VII with four themes/three cross-cutting branches Support for general structure of IHP-VII Excellent job developing concept paper will contribute towards achieving MDGs Draft concept paper is comprehensive and the main themes important Congratulations to the task force on quality of draft concept paper Congratulate IHP Secretariat and task force on work Concept paper well structured and presented Approval of general structure of IHP-VII Ensure water is principal priority within UNESCO UNESCO-IHE should not be alone in managing UNESCO s WECB Support national WWDR Incorporate Water for Life Decade Stress importance of linking to Water for Life Decade Importance of groundwater Importance of cooperation between UN bodies Agree that education and capacity building should be a process, not a theme Importance that socio-economics be integrated UNESCO-IHP and UNESCO-IHE should be closely linked Agree that poor water governance is creating water crisis Agree that education, technology transfer most important role of IHP Agree on emphasis on water and society, governance IHP-VII should forcefully acknowledge and pursue MDGs and develop indicators of success in that regard Must relate hydrological knowledge to water needs of different populations and regions and make sure the right information is available to the right people Must be concerned both with water quality and quantity Developing early alert systems to combat floods and droughts Pay attention not only to groundwater, also to underground/thermal/mineral waters Emphasize cooperation with other UN bodies Link with national research programmes Should have clear mention of IHP programmes History of water and civilization and PCCP Make sure governments are involved in the process of preparing IHP-VII Support to IHP s main principle to stimulate stronger interrelation between scientific research, application and education Suggestions for new themes/sub-themes Education, training and empowerment (emphasize UNESCO s unique link between research and education, capacity strengthening at personal level, public awareness and gender-related issues/mention UNITWIN/UNESCO Chair programme, GOUTTE of Water, UNDESD) ) For Theme 1 Global Changes, watersheds and aquifers include scaling (especially in mountain areas); it is necessary to enhance initiatives for regional and local studies on climatic variability and water resources) Under food security, agriculture needs to be considered Matching supply and demand for water Water in Urban Areas and Surroundings Water and religion/traditional wisdom 1. Climate change, water resources and hydrological research 2. Sustainable water resources and environmental management 3. risk assessment and management of water resources systems for water security 4. education

18 Annex I page 10 Under Theme 1 Climatic Change: difference between Greenhouse effect (warming) and albedo effect (cooling) Under theme 2 Governance and socio-economics, include transboundary waters management and watershed-based water resources management 1. Management of lean flow for public water supply, irrigation and hydropower management 2. Impact of climate change on glacier lakes and water resources 3. extreme events for safeguarding lives and properties 4. capacity building and promoting research in hydrology Make FRIEND/HELP cross-cutting themes Emphasize indicators (ie. for climate change), extreme events, health issues, transboundary issues The four themes should be changed to 1. impacts of global change on watersheds and aquifers management 2. governance and socio-economics for sustainable water management policies for human development 3. sustainable water resources and environmental management for water security 4. water quality, human health and food security There should be three additional themes to the four proposed by the task force: 1. management of fossil groundwater 2. desalination technologies and 3. human activities and renewable water resources Emphasize helping societies in desert/arid areas that are stressed due to groundwater overexploitation and lack of water supply Change theme 1 to Risk assessment and management of water resources under global change in order to emphasize importance of extreme hydrological events Suggestions for new priorities for IHP under IHP-VII Interaction with other programmes such as IGPB, GIWA using regional offices of IHP Enhance relations between research centers and national committees Suggestions for matrix of themes and actions Under theme 1,change globalization to globalization and modeling, move groundwater mining and contaminations to theme 4 and add new action entitled integrated watershed management Under theme 2, move range investments to theme 4, add new action entitled awareness promotion at all levels Under theme 3, add new action entitled environmental concerns of water reclamation Change cross-cutting theme Water Resources management to Integrated water Resources management Inclusion of artificial recharge under Theme 1/new initiatives I Inclusion of water conservation under Theme 3/ new initiatives II Inclusion of public awareness building on water conservation methods under Theme 2/ new initiatives III Inclusion of public awareness building on pollution, protection and renovation of water resources under Theme 4/ new initiatives III Under theme 2 continuing initiatives; need to develop data of different kind (such as water consumption, costs, budget allocation, water rights, health etc) for water management to become effective

19 Annex I page 11 IV. PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF IHP-VII A. Overall framework 22. In setting out the framework for IHP-VII, the Task Force attempted to take full account of the very valuable contributions from the National Committees. The Task Force also gave much consideration to the key issues expected to be significant in the years The three main threads that were proposed in the Concept Note were reviewed again and it was thought that, as proposed, they will be woven into the fabric of IHP-VII: Water dependencies, systems under stress and societal responses. The Task Force reiterates that IHP should focus on the strengthening of the existing scientific knowledge to provide new directions for interdisciplinary science and research to develop scientific tools and responses to help mitigate and reverse these trends. 23. After further reviews and considerations of possible titles the Task, therefore, recommends that the three threads could be best captured by the following title Water Dependencies: Systems under Stress and Societal Responses. As noted in the Concept Note this framework will ensure continuity with the high quality efforts of the previous phases of IHP, yet it will expand the arena in which UNESCO would assist and support water-related actions across the UN system as well as other international agencies, governments, Member States and stakeholders. B. Gap Assessment 24. In the course of its initial deliberations in March 2004, the Task Force conducted a qualitative gap assessment of IHP s activities in relation to perceived global water management needs. This was based on the knowledge and experience of the task force members and published literature. While a full analysis of the linkage between the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) has not yet been carried out by the task force, clearly there is a significant role for IHP to play in contributing to the achievement of the goals. The UN Millennium Project has conducted preliminary studies and task forces of the Project have issued interim reports on the progress towards the goals. Nevertheless, one of the priorities for the IHP programme should be to support science development directed to solving significant global issues and filling some of the existing gaps in knowledge and policy. Taking direction from the strategic evolution of the previous phases of IHP, in which societal aspects of hydrology increased in importance over time, the gap assessment also highlighted the need to widen IHP s future scope in several specific areas, such as socio-economics, health, groundwater, governance and ecohydrology. Many of these areas fall into support for the achievement of the MDG s. These specific areas for IHP s future actions are explained below in greater detail. (i) Social and Economic issues in water management 25. The Task Force has noted that there is a need to mainstream social and economic issues into the scope of hydrology in IHP, though recognising that this

20 Annex I page 12 expertise was limited within its current membership 4. Among the constraints to the implementation of the scientific principles of integrated water resources management is the inadequate and sectoral flow of funds, because investment policies fail to recognise the full spectrum of true environmental costs and benefits. For example, finance for flood alleviation projects is infrequently linked to appropriate finance for integrated watershed management (forest replanting, soil conservation, erosion reduction measures) and to the affordability levels of the populations. Financing for the sustainable management of the hydrological units, the basin, can be frustrated by the difficulty of finding concordance between administrative units (which provide the necessary socio-economic data) and the river basin, which forms the unit for natural resources management. There is an urgent need to strengthen cooperation among hydrological scientists, practitioners, and socioeconomists. The IHP-VI has initiated to answer to this need with the launch of the HELP project. Therefore, the HELP project, which is currently operational in Phase VI, should be continued in Phase VII. It would be a valuable tool to achieve this important objective. It will be crucial to define the role of hydrology in providing adequate responses and inputs. Much benefit would result from such cooperation, and it would address the sound provision of finances for natural resources management, leading to national socio-economic benefits. It would also ensure a better focus for including the water sector in national economic development plans of countries, many of which are now formulated as Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP s). (ii) Governance in the water sector 26. It is said that the water crisis is essentially a crisis of governance as experienced through the fragmented nature of water management. Institutions lack the capacity to overcome conflicting approaches in the use and allocation of water from within one watershed or aquifer system. The practitioners and decision makers often lack a common platform for addressing these needs. As a consequence the resource is not viewed in holistic terms, but rather simply as a raw material providing inputs for society s needs in conditions of high uncertainty and complexity, where competing demands cannot be met over the long term. The definition of water governance remains elusive, but notions of ethical use, cultural diversity, transparency, equity, accountability, etc provide some of the principles. The science of hydrology and the related disciplines, and their practical application have much to contribute to this developing area of concern. Thus governance should be one of the themes for IHP-VII. (iii) Human health and water 27. The significance of water consumption and its linkage to human health has been demonstrated in many studies. Less clear is the evolution of catchment water quantityquality, and its impact on the health of populations. With the anticipated increased use of water within the watershed, an understanding of the health consequences of water before the tap is needed. Changes in basin water resources dynamics can lead to health-related issues such as poor basin management. The water logging of communal living areas may lead to health problems. Methodologies are needed for a common structural 4 It is hoped that the IHP Secretariat would rectify this by inviting at least one such specialist for the next session of the Task Force.