Water Governance: re-engineering the IWRM, the nexus approach in action
Sub Theme 3
Concept:
Water is unique national resource since it is not merely intended for human consumption, but it is also essential for a secure, land-based food chain, fishing stocks and energy to name a few. One of Africa’s “unending” capacity development challenges is the transfer of IWRM knowledge to governmental and sector professionals in countries. This is in such a manner that all Member States are routinely working to improve their IWRM Plans, and in so doing, are routinely improving good water governance in their respective nations, while better managing shared water resources that they might have with neighbouring States.
The first emphasis on a nexus approach to water security is meant to facilitate the dialogue between these critical sectors such that all parties see benefits. It is critical to pay attention on how resources are allocated such that water, energy, and agriculture security are ensured for an ever-growing and urbanizing population given the additional pressures of climate change.
The other emphasis is the recognition that good water governance, particularly as it relates to transboundary waters, is a critical step toward harmonious and sustainable development, and to water conflict avoidance, cooperation and water security.
Sub theme 3 will feature sessions that:
- Promote the water, food, energy and climate nexus in national development planning
- Support the creation of an enabling environment for regional cooperation on shared waters in all major shared rivers/lakes/aquifers; including capacity building, and gender and youth mainstreaming in water governance.
- Promote cooperative arrangements/institutions to implement the African Water Vision 2025 and the targets under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for Water and sanitation SDG 6 in all major river/lake/aquifer basins.
- Provide guidance to help local institutions establish and operate basin-wide physical monitoring, data collection, data analysis and reporting systems.
Sessions
| No. 1
Mon 29th Oct
14.00 – 15.30 |
Title | A hybrid approach to water legislation in Africa |
| Convener | International Water Management Institute and Pegasys Institute | |
| Co-Convener(s) | National Water Authorities Kenya, Uganda, other (tbc) | |
| Contacts | Timothy Williams (t.o.williams@cgiar.org) | |
| Objectives | To discuss the possibility of using a hybrid suite of water rights tools to enable African states to manage water use effectively in support of national development goals and protection of the vulnerable. | |
| Description | Water law reforms in Africa since the 1990s have resulted in national water use permit systems being promulgated. However, implementation of these systems carries an immense administrative burden, well beyond the capacity of the state. The design of these systems and failure to implement have resulted in the criminalization of millions of small-scale rural water users who have invested in water infrastructure for self-supply and who are governed by customary water arrangements. Research and policy dialogue with the water authorities of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe has shown how a suite of water rights instruments can be used to create an implementable, developmental, and effective water rights system which can effectively regulate and generate revenue from the few high-impact users, while supporting rural communities’ customary investments and sharing arrangements. Some of these tools already exist in the statutory water laws but have not been used effectively. Others may need legislative amendments. The study was implemented by Pegasys Institute and the International Water Management Institute, supported by the REACH program.
In the proposed session, chaired by Dr. T.O. Williams, the findings from the research and policy dialogues will be presented and comments will be solicited from water authorities and participants. |
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| No. 2
Mon 29th Oct
16.00 – 17.30 |
Title | Integrating Gender Equality and Female Empowerment in IWRM as a Strategy for Achieving Water Security |
| Convener(s) | RUNESCO-IHP | |
| Co-Convener(s) | UNESCO WWAP | |
| Contacts | Renée GIFT (r.gift@unesco.org); Michela MILETTO (m.miletto@unesco.org)
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| Objectives | To highlight the crucial importance of integrating gender equality and empowerment of women in the management of water resources as a precursor to the achievement of water security. | |
| Description | Gender inequality in the access to, management, and use of water remains a critical issue in many countries, and continues to result in harmful socio-economic consequences for women and girls. For this reason, gender equality continues to be one of UNESCO’s global priorities and cuts across UNESCO-IHP’s Eighth Strategy targeted at achieving water security. The UNESCO Water Family is an important part of UNESCO’s work toward achieving this strategy. Among the water family include the UNESCO Chair in Water, Women and Decision-making of Côte d’Ivoire, which will share with other African countries, its experience on gender mainstreaming in water management in rural areas. UNESCO WWAP will also launch its updated Toolkit on Water and Gender for mainstreaming gender considerations into policies on water, which will include relevant new gender responsive indicators for water assessments in light of the Agenda 2030 and SDG 6 targets.
Presentations: Prioritizing gender in the implementation of UNESCO’s strategy on water security (15 mins) Abou Amani, UNESCO-IHP The WWAP toolkit on water and gender (30 mins) : Michela MILETTO, UNESCO WWAP Mainstreaming gender in water management in rural areas (30 mins): Euphrasie KOUASSI YAO, UNESCO Chair on Water, Women and Decision-making, Côte d’Ivoire Questions and discussion (15 mins) Moderator / Rapporteur: nRenée Gift, UNESCO |
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| No. 3
Tue 30th Oct
09.00 – 10.30
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Title | Fostering scientific and technical capacities and competencies in Africa’s Water Sector through the AU-NEPAD Water Centers of Excellence |
| Lead Convener | UNESCO IHP | |
| Co-Convener(s) | European Commission – Joint Research Centre
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| Contacts | Murray Biedler, UNESCO Liaison Office, Brussels Belgi | |
| Objectives | Shaped within the interface between science and policy where the AU-NEPAD Water Centers of Excellence are placed, the session will introduce and discuss the current challenges, demands, constraints and perspectives of the Human and Scientific Capacity Development in the African Water Sector. | |
| Description | The Session will introduce the ACEWATER Programme currently being implemented by the AU-NEPAD Water Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and coordinated by the EC Joint Research Centre and UNESCO IHP. ACEWATER Programme fits well into the Sub Theme of Governance, especially in terms of IWRM and cooperation with its activities on transboundary river basins. Currently, three large research programs are addressing WEFE nexus challenges and features across large river basins in Africa (Zambezi, Senegal, Niger and Nile). Sessions addressing this topic contribute to creating enabling environments for regional cooperation on shared water bodies and aquifers. To address Key Actors and Stakeholders more specifically, sessions will also introduce activities building regional cooperation in both research and educational institutions with the AU’s NEPAD Networks of African Water CoEs, the Regional Economic Commissions and the African Ministers Council of Water (AMCOW). Finally, to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for Water and Sanitation, SDG 6, the session will present the NEPAD CoEs activities of Human Capacity Development in Africa’s Water Sector, which aims to identify Human Capacity Gaps in both the Water Sector and the capacity of educational Institutions. | |
| No. 4
Tue 30th Oct
11.00 – 12.30 |
Title | Maximising the Benefits from SWA High Level Political dialogue: Getting ready for 2019 SWA Sector Ministers Meeting (SMM). |
| Convener | SWA | |
| Co-Convener(s) | Ethiopia, AfDB, AMCOW, Senegal, BMGF, UNICEF | |
| Contacts | Nelson Gomonda: nelson.gomonda@sanitationandwaterforall.org
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| Objectives | The session will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss and share experiences to maximise benefits from SWA SMM as a platform for political dialogue on SDG 6 and contribute to the nexus approach. The Sessions will also be part of the preparations for the SWA High Level Meeting planned to take place in the Second Quarter of 2019 so that Ministers arrive at the SMM prepared. | |
| Description | SWA Partnership is working to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively at various levels. Through the SMM, SWA has promoted political dialogue on WASH within sector ministries charged with extending WASH services to catalyze political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively within the broader commitment to achieve universal access to sanitation, safe drinking water, and hygiene, and elimination of inequalities.
The SMM, attended by ministers responsible for water, sanitation and hygiene (including Ministries of Water, Health, Rural Development and other ministries) provide them with an opportunity to explore the nexus and WASH+ approaches, share and learn from others’ experiences and discuss new ideas as they progress towards national SDG targets. The SMMs has also served as a platform for SWA partners to present and report on commitments they made under at country and regional levels.
As part of the preparations for the 2019 SMM, comprehensive discussions and reviews will be expected to take place at country level through the regular review processes, such as regular sector performance reviews and joint sector reviews (JSRs) to inform decision on choices, approaches and actions for achieving SDG targets on sanitation and hygiene. |
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| No. 5
Tue 30th Oct
14.00 – 15.30 |
Title | Promoting Youth Engagement in Water Governance through Youth-Led Research and Innovation |
| Conveners | UNESCO-IHP and International Science Council Regional Office for Africa | |
| Co-Convener(s) | ||
| Contacts | Nicole Webley, n.webley@unesco.org and Daniel Nyanganyura d.nyanganyura@icsu-africa.org | |
| Objectives | To present and discuss youth research and innovation for achieving SDG 6 in Africa as a way of Mainstreaming youth engagement in Water Governance. | |
| Description | There are 1.8 billion young people aged between 10 and 24, which is the largest youth population ever. They make up almost a quarter of the world’s total population and ninety percent of them live in developing countries. The power of 1.8 billion people cannot be ignored and their engagement or lack thereof will determine if the SDGs are achieved and if the development agenda leaves no one behind. Additionally, Africa has the youngest population in the world and ‘ten of the world’s youngest countries’ are in Africa. Africa’s youthful population can be viewed as an opportunity for economic growth and/or a challenge if Africa does not plan for, or seize this opportunity. Africa is a global priority for UNESCO and youth is a priority group for the organization.
In keeping with UNESCO’s strategy of viewing Youth and Young Scientists not just as beneficiaries but as essential actors in finding solutions to the challenges they face. Youth are often just as active within their local communities as young water professionals; however, they sometimes face challenges with connecting with global networks. UNESCO-IHP recognizes youth and young water professionals as leaders, knowledge-holders (including indigenous knowledge) and innovators who can provide solutions for the achievement of SDG 6 and consequently, supports their participation in global water governance and decision-making processes. Youth engagement in water governance is essential for water security and the achievement of SDG 6. However, it is now important to move beyond the recognition of the contribution of young scientists, to finding ways to mainstream the application of their innovation and the use of the knowledge and data they produced in policy processes at all levels. In this regard, the Youth Statement of the World Water Forum, called for increasing seed funding opportunities to support youth-led initiatives for scientific and technologically driven projects. It also recommended creating, “legitimate spaces for the representation, inclusion and participation of young people and youth groups in high level political, decision-making and organizational processes.’ The Africa water week presents a great opportunity to follow up on the decision of WWF and showcase youth research and innovation in Africa in the water sector. |
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| No. 6
Tue 30th Oct
16.00 – 17.30 |
Title | IWRM in Africa: Lessons learnt from AWF’s operations |
| Convener | AfDB | |
| Co-Convener(s) | ANBO, INBO, GWP, CIWA | |
| Contacts | Francis D. BOUGAIRE (f.bougaire@afdb.org) | |
| Objectives | Following its substantial interventions in transboundary water resources management and development since inception, the AWF has recently documented its experiences with a view to improving effectiveness of future interventions and share emerging insights with other stakeholders. This session will help share knowledge and lessons learnt, in order to contribute to improving IWRM practices in a transboundary context and improving interaction with Basin organizations, in the ever-changing landscape of sustainable development | |
| Description | The session will provide an overview of the lessons learnt from AWF’s operations with several Basin organizations in Africa to increase the efficiency of interventions in the sector. Potential speakers include representatives of different organizations that also support Basin organizations in Africa, such as ANBO, INBO, GWP, and CIWA.
The session begins with an introduction from the Moderator (5 mn), followed by a key note address providing an overview of the IWRM operations supported by AWF and the lessons learnt following completion of these projects (20mn). It with then followed up by a panel discussion presenting views and experiences from ANBO, INBO, GWP and CIWA (20mn) and the way forward.
The panel discussions will be followed by a “Questions and Answers Session” (40 min) followed by the Closing remarks (5 min).
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| No. 7
Thurs 1st Nov
09.00 – 10.30
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Title | How legal and institutional frameworks for transboundary water cooperation support governance and development |
| Conveners | UNECE | |
| Co-Convener(s) | ANBO, AMCOW, Green Cross International, IUCN (tbc), WWF, Senegal, Chad | |
| Contacts | Sonja Koeppel, Sonja.Koeppel@un.org | |
| Objectives | The session aims to analyse the benefits for development, regional integration and peace of legal and institutional frameworks for transboundary water cooperation at the global, regional and basin level and present the latest developments on the African continent. In particular, the experiences and lessons learned of the development of water agreement as well as recent accessions to Global Conventions will be highlighted. | |
| Description | While there has been significant progress in Africa in recent years, as shown by the first reporting on SDG indicator 6.5.2 which measures transboundary water cooperation, a significant number of transboundary basins do not have adequate agreements and institutions. Many existing river basin organizations face important challenges, e.g. with financing their operation, securing development and investments in the basin etc. The governance situation is even less advanced for transboundary aquifers.
This session will analyse how the legal and institutional frameworks at the global, regional and basin level foster transboundary water cooperation, improved water governance, sustainable development, regional integration and peace in Africa and what are the challenges ahead. It will present the experiences of the new Parties to the Helsinki Water Convention, latest developments regarding transboundary water cooperation at the sub-regional and basin level in Africa and analyse challenges, considering also basins with tensions over shared waters. It will include a discussion among the different actors involved, such as governments, regional economic communities, river basin organizations and others. |
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| No. 8
Thurs 1st Nov
11.00 – 12.30
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Title | Session by Host Government on Water Governance
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| Convener(s) | Ministry of Water and Energy, Gabon | |
| Co-Convener(s) | ||
| Contacts | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Description | ||
| No. 9
Thurs 1st Nov
14.00 – 15.30
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Title | Promote sustainable groundwater resources management within the framework of IWRM in L/RBOs and RECs |
| Convener(s) | UNESCO-IHP
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| Co-Convener(s) | ANBO, AMCOW, BGR, UNECE (TBC) | |
| Contacts | Tales Carvalho Resende (t.carvalho-resende@unesco.org) | |
| Objectives |
Raise awareness on the importance of groundwater resource to Africa. |
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| Description | This session aims at providing participants with elements to strengthen the coordination and collaboration capacity of African Lake and River Basin Organisations (L/RBOs), Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) and cooperative frameworks for transboundary groundwater management. It will do so through a moderated (panel) discussion with interactive involvement of the audience in order to share experiences from Africa and discuss current challenges such as development / integration of groundwater resources in institutional structures such as L/RBOs and RECs. This session will also be the launch of a Special Edition of the UNESCO-BGR WHYMAP Groundwater Resources of Africa Map.
Opening remarks (5 min): Hamet Baba Ly, Secretary General of the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation (Senegal), UNESCO-IHP Chair
Launch of the Special Edition of the UNESCO-BGR WHYMAP Groundwater Resources of Africa Map (15 min) Stefan Broda (BGR) and Jayakumar Ramasamy (UNESCO)
Overview of the consideration of groundwater resources in L/RBOs and RECs (10 min) Tales Carvalho Resende (UNESCO-IHP)
The importance of groundwater for the African Network of Basin Organizations (ANBO) (15 min) Amadou Lamine Ndiaye, OMVS/ANBO
Integrating groundwater governance in RBOs: The ORASECOM example ORASECOM (Lenka Thamae)
Discussion |
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| No. 10
Thurs 1st Nov
16.00 – 17.30
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Title | Influencing Policy and Practice – the Africa Groundwater Commission and Research for Development |
| Convener | AMCOW with UPGro (c/o Skat Foundation) | |
| Co-Convener(s) | UPGro is a programme of Universities and Research Institutions, together with the Africa Groundwater Network, International Association of Hydrogeologists, in partnership with country-level African water management institutions. | |
| Contacts | Sean Furey (sean.furey@skat.ch); Dr Andrew Bullock (andybullock61@btinternet.com); | |
| Objectives | Based on its past and current status, AMCOW will present a future trajectory for the Africa Groundwater Commission. One key role will be to influence policy and practice around groundwater. UPGro will share experiences of Research for Development with a view to framing support to support operationalisation of the Commission. | |
| Description | The Africa Groundwater Commission is mandated by the African Union within the framework of the Africa Water Vision 2025 to help create “An Africa where groundwater resources are valued and utilized sustainably by empowered stakeholders”. On one hand, it is one arm of the established governance of the AU and AMCOW.
The session will feature short presentations and panel discussion with leaders from research, government and international cooperation to highlight the key challenges for water management where stronger collaboration on bringing groundwater knowledge into policy and practice can deliver value through this established African instrument.
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