RAYA MARINA STEPHAN - IWRA
(a) Purpose of study or research hypothesis
The objective of this study is to analyze the role of an institutional mechanism in building an effective and successful cooperation over a transboundary aquifer.
(b) Key issue(s) or problem(s) addressed
There are very few cases of agreements for the management of transboundary aquifers, and among those agreements, fewer have led to an effective cooperation among the riparian countries. These cases of effective cooperation rely on a joint institutional setting designed to accomplish the required actions and tasks foreseen in the agreement.
(c) Methodology or approach used
The presentation will focus on the cases of the Genevese aquifer, the North Western Sahara aquifer system and the Nubian Sandstone aquifer system, which represent the transboundary aquifers where a more or less developed and effective cooperation is occurring. For each of these systems the presentation will give an overview of the content of the arrangement which has established the cooperation with its main provisions. It will also describe the joint institutional mechanism initially planned by the countries. The presentation will then include a part on the effective cooperation taking place, in the light of the available information, and compare it to the provisions of the related arrangement. The study will then provide a comparative analysis of these three cases with their successful achievements and also with their deficiencies, based on the their joint institutional mechanism and its functioning.
(d) Results or conclusions derived from the project
On the basis of these elements, and of a selection of successful cases of cooperation on a surface waters, the presentation will conclude with the identification of the key elements that can contribute to the success of cooperation on a transboundary aquifers, and will intend to provide a typology with the most favourable institutional setting.
(e) Implications of the project relevant to congress themes
The study contributes to the theme related to basin organizations. It highlights their role, and their functioning in the establishment of an effective cooperation.