African Water Development Report 2006 - United Nations Economic ...

of water in agriculture through improvedirrigation and water harvesting technologies,effective crop water management andtraining;(e) To develop appraisal tools and specific measuresfor wetland development and conservation;(f ) To support irrigation systems improvementand modernization, through institutionalreforms, technical innovations, managementtools and building the capacity oftechnical staff and managers of irrigationsystems and water user associations;(g) To advise on standards and guidelines onwater quality management, safe use ofwastewater, mitigation of environmentaleffects and mitigation of health hazards relatedto water development;(h) To promote improved preparedness andnational planning to recurrent droughts,floods and climate variability;(i) To maintain a database on rural water useand as a recognized point of reference onthe state of land and water for food and agriculturein the world through the water informationdatabase (AQUASTAT). Contributesto the World Water DevelopmentReport.(b) Enhanced coordination of environmentalconventions and development and developmentof policy instruments;(c) Fresh water;(d) Technology transfer and industry;(e) Support to Africa.The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was establishedas a joint international effort to helpsolve global environmental problems. The GEFTrust Fund was established by a World Bankresolution on 14 March 1991, and formally establishedin October 1991 as a joint programmebetween the United Nations Development Programme,UNEP and the World Bank. The GEFwas initially established for a three-year periodknown as the Pilot Phase. This phase ended inJune 1994 and was later extended for three yearsin what is termed the Operational Phase or GEFI, covering four focal areas, namely:(a) The protection of biological diversity;(c) The reduction of greenhouse gases;(d) The protection of international waters;and,(e) The protection of the ozone layer.INTERNET – Information HighwaysENSURING THE KNOWLEDGE BASEUnited Nations EnvironmentProgrammeThe United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), established in 1972, works to encouragesustainable development through sound environmentalpractices everywhere. Its activitiescover a wide range of issues, from atmosphereand terrestrial ecosystems, the promotion of environmentalscience and information, to an earlywarning and emergency response capacity todeal with environmental disasters and emergencies.The present priorities of UNEP include:(a) Environmental information, assessment andresearch, including environmental emergencyresponse capacity and strengtheningof early warning and assessment functions;The emergence of the internet has opened newand revolutionary frontiers in communicationand information dissemination. The electronicmail system has created an unprecedented rapidand effective channels for communicationamong professionals, facilitated organization ofscientific and professional meetings, preparationand exchange of documents as well as video andelectronic conferencing. The internet is also servingas an effective basis for networking activities,notably among which is Global Water Partnershipand its associated programmes. Water professionalsin African countries are even unableto take full advantage of the era of informationtechnology to access the various water portalsand water-related toolboxes which are beingdeveloped by United Nations agencies such as331