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TRANSBOUNDARY WATER MANAGEMENTRegional strategy for the utilization of the NSASThe NSAS Regional Strategy project, launched in 1998, wasfinanced in its first phase by the International Fund for AgriculturalDevelopment (IFAD) and executed by the Centre for Environmentand Development for the Arab Region and Europe. The project aimsat reviewing previous studies, preparing a regional hydrogeologicalstudy, establishing a common data base and preparing a mathematicalmodel to simulate future aquifer behaviour in responseto national development schemes. A second phase of the projectcovered the socioeconomic component and was financed by theIslamic Development Bank.The NSAS ProjectThe project was launched in 2005 by the International AtomicEnergy Agency and the Global Environment Facility as executingagencies and the United Nations Development Programme as theimplementation agency. The long-term goal of the project was torealize a rational and equitable management of the NSAS for sustainablesocioeconomic development and the protection of biodiversityand land resources. The immediate objectives are to strengthenand consolidate the management consultation mechanism betweenthe four countries; to expand, update and consolidate the commondatabase and mathematical model; and to create an enabling environmentto secure sustainable management of the NSAS.Consultation Mechanism for the NWSASLikewise, cooperation between Libya, Algeria and Tunisia in managingshared aquifers dates back to the mid 1970s in the form ofbilateral and trilateral committees for the exchange of hydrogeologicalinformation and the coordination of planned developmentactivities. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a permanentConsultation Mechanism for the NWSAS. Key achievements includethe implementation of the two phases of the NWSAS project.The NWSAS Project – Phase 1Phase 1 of the NWSAS project started in July 1999 and was initiallyfinanced by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.Coordinated joint management of Libya’s shared aquifer systems is achieved throughmultilateral cooperation mechanismsImage: GWA LibyaThe project succeeded in defining the technical parametersof the aquifer system and in building a commongeographic information system controlled data base.A mathematical model to simulate aquifer response tofuture development schemes was developed for lateruse by the water authorities in the three countries as avaluable management tool.At the end of this phase, the three countries signed anagreement to establish a consultation mechanism to behosted by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory in Tunisiaand financially supported by the member countries.A Coordination Unit was appointed in 2002 and wascommissioned to carry out the following tasks:• manage and update the data base and thesimulation model• develop and monitor a reference observation network• process, analyse and validate data• develop databases on socioeconomic activitiesrelated to water use• develop and publish indicators on the use ofwater resources• promote and facilitate the conduct of joint studiesand research• formulate and implement training programmes• update the NWSAS model periodically.The NWSAS Project – Phase 2Under phase 2, complementary studies covering relatedhydrogeological components were conducted. Thesewere studies of the Libyan-Tunisian Gefara Plain aquifersystem; the Algerian and Tunisian Shotts; the WesternErg in Algeria; and a socioeconomic study.The NSAS Joint Commission and the NWSASConsultation Mechanism represent a step on the righttrack for the sound management of transboundaryaquifers in the region. However, more efforts shouldbe devoted to strengthening the technical capacityof the competent institutions with special focuson governance, transparency and legislation. Futureinitiatives will primarily focus on securing politicaland financial support; periodical updating of databasesand models; and harmonizing legislation and policies.A regional centreIn recognition of the importance of sound managementof shared aquifers, Libya has requested the InternationalHydrological Programme (IHP) council to establish aregional centre under the auspices of the United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO). This will be devoted to the management ofshared aquifer resources in Africa and the Arab region,with the aim of providing training facilities to Africanexperts and organizing seminars and meetings to facilitatethe dissemination of knowledge among Africancountries. During its fifteenth session in June 2002, theIntergovernmental Council of IHP adopted resolutionXV-10 welcoming the establishment of the centre. Anagreement for the establishment of the centre was signedin Tripoli by the Director-General of UNESCO and the[ 86 ]