Event Description
The seminar will explore whether and how the governance of transboundary waters has improved through the implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles with emphasis on ecosystem-based approaches. The implementations of IWRM as a mechanism for delivering ecosystem services at this level are less well known. Presentations and discussions are made on a global survey being conducted by the UNEP DHI Centre on the implementation of IWRM in transboundary waters and detailed research on the application of ecosystem-based approaches in selected transboundary waters worldwide being undertaken by IISD. These studies are complemented by field experiences in the implementation of IWRM and ecosystem-based approaches to be presented by BIOKAVANGO on the Okavango river basin and the International Joint Commission (IJC) of the United States and Canada.

The objective of the seminar is to support efforts to accelerate the implementation of IWRM principles and of the ecosystem-based approaches in transboundary waters. The seminar will take stock of the progress that has been made in enhancing transboundary waters management; identify major challenges; show practical examples of how ecosystem-based approaches can contribute to basin and human health, climate change adaptation and sustainable beneficial use of shared waters.

Programme 

Chair: Mr. Tim Kasten, UNEP, Kenya

Presentations were made on a global survey being conducted by the UNEP DHI Centre on the implementation of IWRM in transboundary waters and detailed research on the application of ecosystem-based approaches in selected transboundary waters worldwide being undertaken by IISD. These were complemented by field experiences in the implementation of IWRM and ecosystem-based approaches presented by the BIOKAVANGO Project on the Okavango River Basin and the International Joint Commission (IJC) of the United States and Canada. The seminar was concluded through a panel discussion that provided more insights on application of IWRM at transboundary level.

Main Challenges identified from the recent surveys conducted by UNEP DHI and IISD on the implementation of IWRM and application of Ecosystem based approaches in transboundary waters included (i) Complexities for IWRM for multiple agreements (ii) Basin organization development varying among basins, (iii) Lack of Transboundary Agreement, (iv) Inadequate financial resources, (v) Weakly harmonized laws, institutional arrangements and policies across boundaries, (vi) Insufficient relevant institutions in each riparian, (vii) Lack of agreed procedures for data sharing (viii) Undeveloped capacity in water sector, and (ix) Lack of awareness of IWRM in riparians.

Experiences presented from the Okavango River Basin and the International Joint Commission of Canada and United States showed practical examples of the use of Ecosystem Approach. Three riparian states (Angola, Botswana and Namibia) have developed the Environmental flows for the Okavango River Basin to guide them to maintain the river resources in their development process. The Boundary Waters Treaty created the International Joint Commission, between the United States and Canada to help prevent and resolve the disputes that are inevitable, and provided clear, far-sighted principles to follow when sovereign nations share and use transboundary waters.

In concluding the seminar, the following salient points were agreed by the participants as priorities: 

1. There was consensus that the Ecosystem Approach is not only limited to the physical environment but it includes people and their activities as part of the ecosystem
2. Scientists can only provide information or options/scenarios, and the political process/society have to decide where to draw the line beyond which they can’t accept any adverse change, hence the limits of acceptable change
3. Valuation of Ecosystem Services is an important tool that helps in assessing the value of different components of the system
4. There is need to monitor and review management decisions as new information and data becomes available hence adaptive management
5. There is need to build capacity at River Basin Level especially skills, institutions that can assimilate these tools and make information available to decision makers.