1. UNESCO
International Hydrological Programme
Transboundary Water
Management
Christine A. Iskandar
Consultant UNESCO-IHP

2. UNESCO contribution to the
World Water Forum
on
Cooperation around Water Conflicts
UNESCO is a partner of the Forum since Marrakech
and the World Water Council (WWC)
Since the 3rd World Water Forum in 2003, UNESCO
has been designated as the leader of the themes on
transboundary water management (Istanbul Forum),
water cooperation and peace building.
At the 6th World Water Forum, UNESCO with INBO
coordinates the Priority for Action 1.5 « contribute to
cooperation and peace »

3. The Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO declares that ‘since wars begin in the minds
of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed’
CULTURE OF PEACE
The purpose of the Organization
is: "to contribute to peace and
security
by
promoting
collaboration among nations
through education, science and
culture in order to further
universal respect for justice, for
the rule of law and for the
human rights and fundamental
freedoms which are affirmed for
the peoples of the world,
without distinction of race, sex,
language or religion, by the
Charter of the United Nations’.
The
opening
lines
of
UNESCO's
Constitution are engraved in ten languages
on a stone wall in the Square of Tolerance

4. The challenge we all have
How to put “water” in the minds
of people?

5. The Water Family at UNESCO
International Hydrological
Programme
The World Water Assessment
programme
Intergovernmental programme
Inter agency programme lead by
UNESCO
ISARM
UNESCO-IHE Institute for
Water Education
17
Category
II water
related
centres

6. UNESCO-IHP Initiative on
Transboundary Aquifers (ISARM)
In 2000, the worldwide ISARM (Internationally Shared
Aquifer Resources Management) Initiative aimed at
improving the understanding of scientific, socioeconomic, legal, institutional and environmental
issues related to the management of transboundary
aquifers.

7. UN GA Resolution 63/124 2008
 In this context, UNESCO supported the development of
the UNILC Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary
Aquifers.
 In December 2008, the UN General Assembly (GA)
adopted Resolution A/RES/63/124 on the law of
transboundary aquifers.
 In this Resolution, the UN GA notes that ‘the subject of
the law of transboundary aquifers is of major
importance in the relations of States’.
 The UN GA will consider the Format of the Draft
Articles at its next session in November this year.

8. ISARM OBJECTIVES
 Prepare the inventory of the transboundary aquifers of
the world (Transboundary Aquifers Atlas published in
2009).
 Promote the cooperation among experts from the
different countries that share transboundary aquifers.
 Promote scientific, legal, socio-economic, institutional
and environmental assessment of internationally
shared aquifer resources.
 Disseminate the lessons learnt from Case Studies.

9. Until 2000 there was no global
accurate and reliable information and knowledge on
Transboundary Aquifers
Exception
Europe
UNECE

10. M
iddleSarm
atian
-PontianGW .22
B
9.Backa&Banat
2.Kupa
1.Dragonja
7.Sava
3.Kupa
21.UpperPannonian
-Lower Pleistocene
8
20.Central Serbia
10. Srem
.
4.Una
5.Cetina
6.N
eretva
19.East Serbia
23
.Sarm
atian&24.Upper Jurassic
-LowerCret
.GW
B
16. Gaber esla
-N
12.SWSerbia
17. Znepole
18.Tran
14.
43.Svilengrad
13.
15.Zem
en
alko Tarnovo
44.Topolograd45.M
37.N
astan
Sandansky
46.Rezovska
38.Sm
olyan
41.Svilengrad
Dojran34.
Gevgelija32. .33
.O
35
.Gotze 39.Rudozem42 restiada
29.
aReka47.M
Delchev 40.Erm
eric
30.Pelagonija 36.O
rvilos
28. & 31.Florina
25.
11.W Serbia
est
Vjosa
26.Pagoni
27.M
ourgana

11. From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential
(UNESCO-PCCP)
Mission statement: To facilitate multi-level and
interdisciplinary dialogues in order to foster peace and
development related to the management of shared water
resources
The project focuses on the development of tools (including legal
tools) for the anticipation, prevention and resolution of water
conflicts. Through research and capacity building activities, the
programme brings players engaged in transboundary water
management together and helps increase the opportunities
for cooperation and development.

12. UNESCO and GEF
Groundwater Governance Project
 Overall objective:
Global Framework of action (Fa) for the Groundwater at
local, national, regional and transboundary levels.
 Main line of action:
Promoting the national role of countries by the
regional consultations based on their experiences,
needs and visions.
In partnership with GEF, FAO, IAH and WB

13. How could UNESCO-IHP contribute to
a «Water Legislation Helpdesk»?
UNESCO-IHP could contribute by:
1.
2.
Using UNESCO’s network to disseminate the work of
the Helpdesk through the countries.
Using UNESCO–ISARM and/or PCCP legal research
results and educational tools to build a common
consensus in the Helpdesk vis-à-vis the countries’
needs.
Member States
UNESCO-IHP
ISARM / PCCP
Helpdesk

14. Merci de votre attention
c.abdalla-iskandar@unesco.org