IAEA/UNDP/GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System
Medium Sized Project
Inception Meeting Report
Nov. 9, 2006
Introduction
The Inception Meeting for the IAEA/UNDP/GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) project
was held from July 16- 20, 2006 in Tripoli, Libya. The meeting agenda and Participants List are
at ached (in Annexes 1 and 2 respectively.)
The objectives of the meeting were to:
1. of icial y launch the IAEA/ UNDP/ GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) project
and to as ure a common understanding of the is ues to be addres ed during the project from
2006 to 2009,
2. review with key stakeholders (government representatives) the organizational ar angements, as
wel as managerial and technical aspects of the project,
3. prepare a project implementation plan (PIP) for the duration of the project (30- 36 months)
The desired result of the meeting was to:
1. reach a common agreement and understanding on project implementation (i.e. scope of the
project, components, activities, expected results, roles and responsibilities, time frame etc. as a
basis for project implementation)
The expected outputs of the meeting were:
1. Project Implementation Plan including time frame
2. Project Steering Commit ee established
3. Meeting report
Al of the objectives of the meeting were met with the desired result and expected outputs achieved.
This document represents the Meeting report. The first day, mostly introductory presentations, as wel
as al other presentations are highlighted and provided in an accompanying CD Rom. A summary of
discus ions is provided for Days 2 through 4 in Annex 3. Day 5 of the meeting was focus ed on
developing the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) the principle output o the meeting.
The draft PIP is at ached as Annex 4. Final y, significant time was devoted during the Inception
Meeting to discus ing project implementation structures, including the establishment of the Project
Steering Commit ee (PSC) as wel as the roles and responsibilities of the respective National Project
Coordinators (NPCs.) Draft terms of reference for the PSC and the NPCs are annexes to the Project
Implementation Plan.
The IAEA would like to thank the government of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for its kind and generous
ef orts in hosting the Inception Meeting in Tripoli.
Annex 1
Meeting Agenda
o
IAEA/ UNDP/ GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) Inception Meeting
July 16-20th, 2006
Tripoli, Libya
Agenda
July 16th (beginning at 9 am)
Opening Session Opening of the Meeting and Welcome Remarks
9:00- 9:45
Welcome remarks by the Host Country
- Welcome remarks by the IAEA
-
Introduction of Participants
-
Opening remarks by Nubian countries
-
Objectives of Meeting
-
Selection of the Chairperson and Rapporteur
-
Adoption of the Agenda
Session 1:
Overview of the IAEA/UNDP/ GEF NSAS Project
9:45-10:15
- UNDP/GEF perspectives on the project
M. Atal ah
- the UNDP/GEF activities in the region (GEF IW portfolio etc.)
10:15- 10:30
Overview of the IAEA/ UNDP/ GEF NSAS Project
Andy Garner, IAEA
- Objective and scope of the cur ent project,
- Overview of project components, activities, implementation ar angements etc.
-
10:30- 11:00
Coffee Break
Session 2:
Component 1: Nubian Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA)
11:00- 11:30
Intro to the GEF TDA (SADA)/SAP approach
M. Atal ah, UNDP/GEF
11:30- 12:00
The SADA development process in specific steps
A. Garner, IAEA
12:00- 13:00
Country Presentations- Status of groundwater modeling in the NSAS and future needs
(20 minutes each)
13:00- 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00- 14:30
Country Presentations (continued)
14:30- 15:30
Establishing the baseline of information (Nubian Technical Baseline Meeting) P. Aggarwal, IAEA
- Information gaps and approach to fil ing them (results of the Baseline meeting)
- Specifics of sampling campaigns 2006 and 2007
15;30:16:00
Adding Environmental Considerations (Other GEF Focal Areas: Biodiversity, Land Degradation,
Climate Change, Adaptation, etc.)
M. Atal ah, UNDP/GEF
16:00- 16:30
Overview of Next Steps
A. Garner, IAEA
- Model ing training and updating NSAS model (s)
- TDA/SAP training
16:30
Close for the Day
July 17
Session 2:
SADA (continued)
8:30- 9:00
National Workplans for SADA
9:00- 10:30
(Group work on national implementation)
10:30- 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00- 12:00
Report on Group Work
12:00- 12:30
Next steps, roles and responsibilities and time frame
12:30- 13:30
Lunch Break
Session 3:
Component 1 (continued) Information Management
13:30- 14: 30
Country experiences on information management, data, GIS
- Managing information, data bases and NARIS
- Experience with cur ent systems
14:30- 15:00
Planning next steps, time frame and roles and responsibilities
Session 4:
Component 2 NSAS Strategic Action Programme
15:00- 15:30
What is a SAP for the NSAS?
M. Atal ah, UNDP/GEF, A. Garner IAEA
- SAP development process in steps
15:30- 16:30
Group work on how to implement at the national level, next steps, roles and responsibilities and
time frame for implementation
16:30
Close for the Day
July 18
Session 5:
Component 3: Institutional and Legal Framework
8:30- 8:45
Introduction to the Component
A. Garner, IAEA
- Brief review of the component
8:45- 9:15
Development of legal frameworks in GEF IW projects M. Atal ah, UNDP/GEF
9:15- 9:45
Cur ent status of groundwater legal framework at intl level R. Stephan, UNESCO
9:45- 10:30
Country Presentations-Cur ent status of NSAS Institutional and
Legal Framework and considerations for further enhancement
10:30- 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00- 12:00
Country Presentations (continued) and discussion
12:00- 12:30
Group work on how to implement at the national level,
12:30 13:30
Lunch
13:30- 14:30
Group work
14:30- 15:00
Next steps, roles and responsibilities and time frame for implementation and other related issues
(linkages with other projects and initiatives)
Session 6:
Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (project components 4 and 5
15:00- 15:30
Component 4 Project Management,
A. Garner, IAEA
- Implementation- Roles and Responsibilities within the project
- Regional Project Steering Commit ee, Joint Authority etc.
- Involvement and Contribution of Partners
- Project Coordination-PIU
- Project administration
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- National Inter-ministerial Commit ees
-
15:30- 16:30
Country presentations "National implementation structures & stakeholders involved"
16:30
Close of day
July 19th
Session 7:
Advanced preparations for sampling campaigns
8:30- 10:30
Sampling Campaign preparations 2006-07 and Individual National Consultations
10:30- 11:00
Coffee Break
Session8:
Preparing the NSAS Project Implementation Plan (PIP)
11:00- 12:30
Defining elements of the PIP
12:30- 13:30
Lunch
13:30- 15:30
Defining Elements of the PIP
15:30- 16:00
Progress in developing the PIP
Close of day
July 20
Session 9
Report on the PIP
8:30- 10:30
Report and Discussion
10:30- 11:00
Coffee Break
Session 10:
Synthesis of Next Steps in Project Mobilization
11:00-12:00
Next Steps
- Country support in start-up at IAEA HQ and in-country
- First sampling campaigns
- Confirmation of national implementation structures
- TDA-SAP training
- Project Coordination
- Other GEF related initiatives and partnerships
- Next project meeting
Session 11:
Closing (12:00)
Meeting Completed by 12:30
Objectives:
o to official y launch the IAEA/UNDP/ GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) project and to assure a
common understanding of the issues to be addressed during this project from 2006 to 2008;
o to review with key stakeholders the organizational ar angements, as wel as managerial and technical aspects of
the project; and
o to prepare a project implementation plan for the duration of the project (30 months.)
Desired Outcome:
o common agreement and understanding on the scope of the project, components, activities, expected results, roles
and responsibilities, time frame etc. as a basis for project implementation
Expected Outputs:
o Meeting Report
o Project Implementation Plan including time frame
o Project Steering Commit ee established
Annex 2
Participants List
RAF8036/9004/01
Inception Meeting for the UNDP/GEF/IAEA Medium Sized Project (MSP)
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Tajoura
2006-07-16 - 2006-07-20
List of Participants
1 IAEA
Mr Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal- IAEA, NAPC
2 IAEA
Mr Ali Bous aha- IAEA, TCAF
3 IAEA
Mr Wil iam Andrew Garner- IAEA, NAPC
4 Egypt
Mr Moustafa Sadek
National Centre for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC)
Atomic Energy Authority (AEA)
3 Ahmed El-Zomor Street
El Zohoor District
Cairo 11787
Egypt
Tel.: 0020 2 2728815
Fax: 0020 2 2876031
EMail: Yara499@yahoo.com
5 Chad
Mr Salah Idjemi Mahamat-Kher
Direction de l'hydraulique
Ministère de l'environnement et de l'eau
B.P. 1769
N'Djamena
Chad
Tel.: 00235 523255
EMail: mksalahi@yahoo.fr
6 Chad
Mr Ismael Musa Mohamed
Direction de l'hydraulique
Ministère de l'environnement et de l'eau
B.P. 1769
N'Djamena
Chad
Tel.: 00235 525176
Fax: 00235 525668
7 Chad
Mr Magomna Oualbadet
Point focal operationnel FEM
Ministère de l'environnement et de l'eau
B.P. 447
N'Djamena
Chad
Tel.: 00235 520714
Fax: 00235 523839
EMail: oualbadet@yahoo.fr
8 Chad
Mr Noe Reouebmel
Direction de l'hydraulique
Ministère de l'environnement et de l'eau
B.P. 1769
N'Djamena
Chad
Tel.: 00235 525176
Fax: 00235 525668
EMail: tchewaye@yahoo.fr
9 Egypt
Mr Ahmed Mohamed Abdel Maksoud
Ministry of Water Resources and Ir igation
Imbaba City
Cairo
Egypt
Tel.: 0020 2 5449516
EMail: ce_maksoud@yahoo.com
10 Egypt
Mr Sameh Afifi
Ministry of Water Resources and Ir igation
Imbaba City
Cairo
Egypt
Tel.: 0020 10 2337090
Fax: 0020 10 4048366
EMail: united@unitedenv.com
11 Egypt
Ms Ikhlas Gamal El Din
Water Quality Department
Ministry of State for Environmental Af airs
30 Misr Helwan El-Zyrae Road
Maadi
Cairo
Egypt
Tel.: 0020 2 5246394
Fax: 0020 2 5246394
EMail: ekhlas g@hotmail.com
12 Egypt
Mr Ahmed R. Khater
Research Institute for Groundwater
National Water Research Center
El Kanater, Cairo, Qalubela
Egypt
Tel.: 0020 12 3154175
Fax: 0020 2 2188729
EMail: drkhater@yahoo.com
13 France
Ms Raya Stephan
International Hydrological Programme (IHP)
Division of Water Sciences
UNESCO
1, rue Miol is
75732 Paris CEDEX 15
France
Tel.: 0033 1 45684115
Fax: 0033 1 45685811
EMail: R.Stephan@unesco.org
14 Lebanon
Ms Mirey Atal ah
United Nations Development Programme in Lebanon (UNDP)
UN House
Riadh el-Solh Sqare
P.O.Box 11-3216
Beirut
Lebanon
Tel.: 00961 1 978521
EMail: mirey.atal ah@undp.org
15 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Dr Mohamed Amer
Of ice of Planning and Emergency
Environment General Authority
P.O. Box 12321
Tripoli
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Tel.: 00218 21 4635846
Fax: 00218 21 4839991
EMail: ega@egalibva.org
16 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Mr Lotfi A. Madi Farag
General Water Authority
P.O. Box 5332
Tripoli
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Tel.: 00218 21 3600 391
Fax: 00218 21 3600 392
EMail: gwazone5@hotmail.com
17 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Mr Al Mahdi Megrbi
General Water Authority
P.O. Box 5332
Tripoli
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Tel.: 00218 21 4872530
Fax: 00218 21 4872323
EMail: almjrbi@yahoo.com.uk
18 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Mr Omar Salem
General Water Authority
P.O. Box 5332
Tripoli
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Tel.: 00218 214832124
Fax: 00218 21 4832129
EMail: gwalibya@hotmail.com
19 Sudan
Mr Mohamed Bahar Eldein Abdal a
Ministry of Ir igation and Water Resources
El Niel
P.O. Box 15006
Khartoum
Sudan
Tel.: 00249 183 780167
Fax: 00249 183 83773838
EMail: moiasdd@yahoo.com
20 Sudan
Mr Mohammed El Has an Abu Buker
Groundwater and Wadis Directorate
Ministry of Ir igation and Water Resources
P.O. Box 15006
Khartoum
Sudan
Tel.: 00249 183 225740
Fax: 00249 183 236276
EMail: doorie_11@hotmail.com
21 Sudan
Mr Mohammed El Khitma
Higher Council for Environmental & Natural Resources
P.O. Box 10488
Khartoum 11111
Sudan
Tel.: 00249 183 784279
Fax: 00249 183 787617
EMail: HCENR@sudanmail.com
22 Sudan
Mr Abd Al a Mohamed Kheir Fadl El Moula
Groundwater and Wadis Directorate
Ministry of Ir igation and Water Resources
El Niel
P.O. Box 15006
Khartoum
Sudan
Tel.: 00249 183 228296
Fax: 00249 183 236276
EMail: amkheir35@hotmail.com
23. Lebanon
Ms. Mirey Atal ah
Portfolio Manager
UNDP/GEF
Tel.: 001 212 9066228
Fax: 001 212 9066228
EMail: mirey.at alah@undp.org
Annex 3
Summary of Discussions
IAEA / UNDP / GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS)
Inception Meeting
July 16th-20th; Tripoli, Libya
Date: July 16th, 2006
Chairperson: Omar Salem
Rapporteur: Sameh Afifi
ACRONYMS
CEDARE
Center for Environmental and Development for the Arab Region and Europe
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
EcoQOs
Ecosystem Quality Objectives
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GEF
Global Environment Facility
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
IBWC
International Boundary Water Commission
IFAD
International Fund for Agriculture Development
ISARM
International y Shared (Transboundary) Aqquifer Resources Management
MSP
GEF Medium-Sized Project
NARIS
Nubian Sandstone Aquifer Regional Information System
NEPAD
New Partnership for Africa's Development
NSAS
Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System
OSS
Sahara and Sahel Observatory
SADA
Shared Aqifer Diagonostic Analysis
SAP
Strategic Action Programme
UNCCD
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
1.0 Attendees
IAEA, NAPC
Wil iam Andrew Garner Austria
Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal Austria
UNDP/GEF
Mirey Atal ah Lebanon
UNESCO
Raya Estephan IHP, France
Chad
Ismail Mosa NIEE/DH
Mahamat Kher Salah SGA/MEE
Reoueb Mel Noe DEP/DH/MEE
Egypt
Ahmed Khater MWRI/RIGW
Sameh Afifi MWRI/RIGW
Ahmed Abdel Maksoud MWRI/GWS
Ekhlas Gamal ElDin EEAA
Mostaf A. Sadek EAEA
Libya
Omar Salem
Mohamed M. Amer GEF/EGA
Mehdi A. Mejrhi GWA
Mohamed Baegi RE & WD Center
Lotfi Ali Madi GWA
Salah EDDin ElMesal ati Foreign Liaison Sector
Salem Ghurbal REWDRC
Mohamed Busit a REWDRC
Hamza B. Hamza REWDRC
El-Hadi S. Henshir GWA
Taher Abofila GWA
Mohamed Bakhbakhi AlFateh University
MufTah Fel ah - GWA
Sudan
El Khitma El Awad HCENR
Abdal a Mhoamed Kheir Groundwater Directorate, MOIWR
Mohamed Bahar Eldien Ministry of Ir igation
Mohamed Elhas an Ibrahim Ministry of Ir igation
2.0 Opening Session
· Mr. Omar Salem (Libya) welcomed al participants and emphasized the importance of the meeting.
Recognition is given to previous ef orts and at empts for coordination and cooperation on the
NSAS.
· After welcoming the participants, Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA) welcomed the participants and
emphasized the importance of understanding the technical aspects of the project. In addition, he
as ured the commitment of the IAEA for guiding and executing this project.
· Mr. Ali Gashut (Libya) emphasized the importance of conducted research and previous experience
as vital elements for the succes of this project.
3.0 Overview of the IAEA/UNDP/GEF NSAS Project
3.1 IAEA perspective Mr. Garner
Mr. Garner presented the Overal objective: Rational and equitable management of the NSAS towards
Sustainable Socio-economic Development and the Protection of Biodiversity and land resources.
The immediate Objectives were:
Prepare and agree on a SADA
Fil key methodological, data and capacity gaps
Undertake a Strategic Action Programme (SAP)
Framework for developing an agreed legal and institutional mechanism towards a convention.
3.2 UNDP/GEF prospective Ms. Attalah
· Ms. Atal ah mentioned that TDA is a cornerstone of GEF IW projects. The TDA/SAP approach
has been systematized and institutionalized through the IW Learn project in the form of a training
course.
· The NSAS countries have agreed to cal this a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA), ...
· It includes stock-taking exercises addres ing the dif erent physical, political and sectoral is ues
af ecting transboundary is ues
· This diagnosis should not just be undertaken by experts and oriented towards science but also
should include real stakeholder involvement, looking into livelihoods and col aboration/
cooperation acros sectors. (e.g. water quality, foreign af airs, water resources, environment,
atomic energy etc.)
· This baseline information and knowledge represented should help:
- Lead to SAP
- Develop sound policies
- Support science based decision making
- Identify key gaps not only data gaps (not just information, but also legislative among other
issues)
- Highlight the need for coordination and cooperation
- Set a solid basis for the identification of the appropriate legal and institutional framework
· Monitoring and evaluation should be agreed upon at the onset including GEF indicators:
- Proces
- Stres reduction
- Environmental and social status indicators
- Monitoring contribution to the achievement of MDG supporting the achievement of
commitments to the WSSD
4.0 The SADA development process in specific steps - Mr. Garner, IAEA
4.1 Main Presentation
Mr. Garner presented the fol owing:
Outline of Presentation
- Why a SADA
- What does it achieve
- How do you do it
- The steps
What is a SADA
A scientific and technical fact-finding analysis used to scale the relative importance of sources, causes
and impacts of transboundary "shared" water problems, risks, threats or is ues.
Mr. Garner showed a layout of the NSAS, and indicated that we wil focus on the transboundary is ues
of the aquifer
Key Principles of a SADA
- An objective as es ment and not a negotiated document
- The analysis is in a cros -sectoral manner, focusing on transboundary is ues without ignoring
national concerns and priorities. Includes a focus on environmental is ues such as land
degradation, biodiversity and climate change adaptation.
- Includes a detailed "governance analysis" preceded by a ful stakeholder consultation.
A Brief Comparison Between the SADA and the SAP
- SADA identifies the priority problems, threats, risks and the underlying sectoral causes as wel
as the root causes of the problems
- The Strategic Action Programme (SAP) is the response(s) a negotiated policy document,
establishing clear priorities for action to resolve priority transboundary is ues.
Common Principles
- SADA/SAP must develop a shared vision between Stakeholders
- Based on adaptive management "learning by doing" a proces by which long term
environmental goals are achieved in a series of pragmatic action-based steps.
- SADA-looks intensively at cause and ef ect relationships and as es es the relative importance
of is ues and threats to international waters and their causes as the basis for identifying
measures
- Ideal y, the sequence of causes should be identified in a hierarchical manner from technical
perspectives, through management and socio-economic perspectives to the policy (political)
level
Mr. Garner discus ed the SADA Approach including determining the technical baseline, fil ing in data
gaps, forming national teams and SADA training, prioritization of is ues as wel as a risk/problem
analysis
Strategic fact Finding: The centerpiece of the GEF SADA/SAP approach an conducted via national
technical teams
Approach for working
Mr. Garner presented the way forward Road Map for the SADA
- Finalize the technical baseline update
- Begin fil ing in gaps
- Set-up national implementation structures (focal points, inter-ministerial commit ees, et c.)
- Identification of stakeholders
- Technical task teams (based on profile of needed experts)
- Review of important tools (e.g. model ing)
- TDA/SAP training
Chal enges for the SADA: The Uniqueness of Groundwater
- TDA/SAP has been mainly used in surface water
- Groundwater has unique properties
- Therefore the need to focus on risks, pres ures
- The importance of modeling: As es ing potential risks, and testing the feasibility of pos ible
responses/ solutions.
4.2 Comments
· Mr. Abd Al a (Sudan) expres ed his concern about where we start? We have had the Joint
Authority for several years, receiving as istance from partners on how to go forward. The way he
sees it:
1- Agree on a strategy paper for certain number of years with certain activities. The mis ion has
to be clear and how to approach the further development (beginning and end).
2- He asked if the Analysis starts after or before we formulate the project
3- There is stil not enough information on how to implement SADA.
4- This project was developed to see the regional implementation of the project and to see the
win-win activities, to view how to implement the programme
5- Who is preparing the terms of reference for the SADA programme. He encourages that the
national teams should be involved in the preparation phase.
· Mr. Garner acknowledged the raised comments. He replied that the SADA component is as
important as the other components. The other component related to the SAP starts with the
Nubian vision, goals and how to get there. Also discus es the benefits of cooperation. The term
"strategic paper" wil come through these components. Although SADA may be the end product,
the SAP wil highlight and underline the vision of sharing, protecting, monitoring and managing
the NSAS.
5.0 Country Presentations
5.1 Egypt
The formulation of an Action Programme for the Integrated Management of the Shared Nubian
Aquifer was presented. The surface water has been the focus of most of the ef orts in the cooperation
for management of shared water resources. This has been unfair to the groundwater resources such
that there is not enough done for shared aquifer systems. On the other hand, the amount of work done
specifical y on the NSAS is a model for cooperation on shared aquifers.
Management of Aquifer Systems
- Management of aquifer systems es ential y aims at achieving certain goals through a set of
decisiosn related to the operation of the system
- In order to solve the management problem we must be able to predict the response of the
aquifer system to any proposed operation policy/ action, and obtain the modified states of the
system
The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System: During the past three decades, respective initiatives have
made ef ort to evaluate the aquifer
Sharing these experiences within a cooperation framework is of vital importance for the sustainable
development of the aquifer.
The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer system
Evolution of Regional Cooperation was presented as:
- 1972-1974 (UNESCO-UNDP)
- 1978-1988 (UNDTCE,UNEP, UNDP)
- 1992 Egypt and Libya established the Joint Authority for the Development of the NSAS
- 1994-2001 Regional Programme for the Development of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer
System (CEDARE, IFAD)
The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer Systems
The Regional Cooperation Program (1994-2001)
The mathematical model has been applied to predict the regional behavior of the aquifer using the
software (Aqua3D)
Local Groundwater Modeling
Local groundwater modeling is done for individual development areas to asses aquifer potential and
response to proposed developed scenarios.
Aqua3d has not been used to develop local sub-models and Modflow has continued to be the most
popular software used for local modeling.
Future Needs were expres ed as:
· Revising and updating of the regional conceptual and mathematical models and the modeling
scenarios adopted in the previous work.
· Enhancing the modeling proces
· Uncertainty, scarcity of data and cros -border impacts are major is ues
· Acquiring licensed modeling packages and other relevant software
· Capacity building and hands-on training.
5.2 Sudan
Status of Groundwater Model ing in the NSAS and Future Needs in Sudan
E. Klitzsch, Rushdi Said & Echart Schrank
Manfred Heinl & Paul J. Brinkmann 1989
Cedare 2002
Lahmeyer International 2006
E. Klitzsch, Rushdi Said & Echart Schrank 1984
Manfred Heinly & Paul Brinkmann 1989
(finite element model)
Hypothesis: During humid period (2000 years ago) ???? the aquifer was fil ed completely
Recharge:
Natural groundwater discharge: Springs in the oases and lakes. Overflow in the River Nile (Dakka
area = Lake Nas er)
*Cedare 2002, Regional Strategy for the Utilization of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, Volume
I I
Sudan did not benefit a lot fromjthe project because the southern part did not have data. Most of the
data came from the northern part of Sudan.
* Lahmeyer International, 2006
This is a local model in Sudan. Most of the data (discharges, wel s) were available. The groundwater
flow was towards the Nile.
Findings: Recharge of the NSAS from the Nile is confirmed by both: Isotope and mathematical
modeling
This recharge is limited to les than 35 km
Al recharged water from the Nile is either abstracted for ir igation or evaporated.
Future Needs were expres ed as:
· Improve reliability of the model
· Fil data gaps
· Condense monitoring and sampling
· Use isotopes techniques, geophysics, remote sensing and dril ing
· Involve southern part of the aquifer in the regional model.
Comments
· Mr. Bakhbakhi replied that the lack of data was the main reason that the southern part was not
emphasized especial y that there were no activities for the southern part, and thus, no change on
initial heads has be done.
· Mr. Abdul-Hakim ElWaer asked about the dril ing activities and indicated that gathering the data
is very expensive without the as istant of the oil industry. The oil industry has tremendous amount
of information on the groundwater in the remote areas. In addition they are heavy users of water.
The oil industry is a potential stakeholder in this project. The national owner of the conces ion, the
national petroleum institute, among others, may be a good source of data.
· Mr. Salem indicated that the oil sector has never been ignored in previous projects. However,
hydrogeological information may not be available from this sector but geological structure and
geophysical investigations might be. Also, the problem of obtaining data from the oil sector is that
it is usual y not very easy.
· Mr. Aggarwal, IAEA. Water is common part of al UN activities. There are numerous
programmes and projects where the UN supports water projects. And thus, the need for a single
Water Agency by UN may not be feasible at the cur ent time. Regarding the oil industry, what is
shal ow for them is deep for us (groundwater experts).
· Mr. Khater indicated that there was not enough data to calibrate the southern part of the model.
Concerning stakeholders, historical y, institutes from the oil industry often did not think they were
among the stakeholders because the Nubian aquifer is too shal ow for them.
· Mr. Abd Al a indicated that we need to move together on future modeling.
· Mr. Garner mentioned that Ms. Atal ah gave a good example of the Oil sector as a stakeholder.
The comment highlights the importance of including various stakeholders that may as ist the
dialogue with water experts and other stakeholders.
5.3 Libya
The regional model car ied out by CEDARE was presented. Part of the data was taken from the
exploratory model. He showed the simulated drawdown resulting from the highest development
scenario of the NSAS. The recommendations include the model ing and monitoring. The horizontal
and vertical distribution of the aquifer properties are critical to know. Most of the calibration of the
models has been done in very limited locations (e.g kufra, Siwa, Dakhla and Kharga). Thus, more
calibration needs to be implemented.
There are wel s from Kufra and areas of wheat production in the south. The model has been verified
lately in various locations and the report wil be prepared within the coming month.
He raised up the point of not being able to use the Aqua3d from CEDARE because it does not go
function with the cur ent operating system. When Libya requested an upgrade, it could not get it
because of the embargo. Thus, they are back to ModFlow in their cur ent modeling ef orts.
5.4 Chad
The problem with the language bar ier (i.e. Arabic and then English) was raised.
Status of groundwater in the NSAS:
The contact has begun with the countries since 1991.
The Chad Foreign Ministry reacted to the appeal sending a let er on 1998 confirming the engagement
of the Chad government to join the Commis ion and to designate a National Coordination.
Al the existing information are acquired form the regional model. The hardware and software to
instal the model didn't ar ive to Chad. Field equipment are not available. The Nubian area in Chad is
remote without suf icient infrastructure
Future needs:
· Training (intensive training in modeling)
· Equipment
· Financial means for the study
IAEA / UNDP / GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS)
Inception Meeting
July 16th-20th; Tripoli, Libya
Date: July 17th, 2006
Chairperson: Mohamed Bahar Eldin Abdal a
Rapporteur: Mahdi Megrbi & Sameh Afifi
1.0 Attendees
IAEA, NAPC
Wil iam Andrew Garner Austria
Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal Austria
UNDP/GEF
Mirey Atal ah Lebanon
UNESCO
Raya Stephan IHP, France
Chad
Ismail Mosa NIEE/DH
Mahamat Kher Salah SGA/MEE
Reoueb Mel Noe DEP/DH/MEE
Egypt
Ahmed Khater MWRI/RIGW
Sameh Afifi MWRI/RIGW
Ahmed Abdel Maksoud MWRI/GWS
Ekhlas Gamal ElDin EEAA
Mostaf A. Sadek EAEA
Libya
Omar Salem, GWA
Mohamed M. Amer GEF/EGA
Mehdi A. Mejrhi GWA
Mohamed Baegi RE & WD Center
Lotfi Ali Madi GWA
Salah EDDin ElMesal ati Foreign Liaison Sector
Salem Ghurbal REWDRC
Mohamed Busit a REWDRC
Hamza B. Hamza REWDRC
El-Hadi S. Henshir GWA
Taher Abofila GWA
Mohamed Bakhbakhi AlFateh University
MufTah Fel ah - GWA
Sudan
El Khitma El Awad HCENR
Abdal a Mhoamed Kheir Groundwater Directorate, MOIWR
Mohamed Bahar Eldien Ministry of Ir igation
Mohamed Elhas an Ibrahim Ministry of Ir igation
2.0 Morning Discussion
· Mr. Abd Aal a (Sudan) inquired about the methodology for the steering commit ee nomination.
He also showed concern that the steering commit ee and the regional project coordinator (project
manager) have not yet been appointed and this may af ect the future implementation of the project.
· Mr. Garner (IAEA) responded that we are meeting the regional commitments set from the baseline
meeting. One of the expected outputs of this meeting (inception meeting) is to formulate the
steering commit ee. The participants wil decide on the appropriate level of each country
representative to be on the steering commit ee. This is in addition to IAEA, UNDP/GEF and
UNESCO members. Such decisions wil be discus ed later in this meeting. Accordingly, the
steering commit ee wil be the guiding force.
On the other hand, the proces of as igning the project coordinator has been delayed because of the
delay in signing the project document. Now that the project document is signed, the GEF funding
wil be used to hire the project coordinator. It is anticipated to take 4-6 month to hire the
coordinator among the candidates. According to IAEA's regulation, the project coordinator could
not have been hired until the GEF funding is accessible.
Mr. Garner also clarified that the terminology of project coordinator cor esponds to project
manager. Chief Technical Advisor is a term often used in GEF International Waters projects. He
also added that the regional activities on SADA training is expected to happen in January/
February. The project is operational as of this meeting (i.e. now). The cost of the cur ent meeting
normal y would be paid by GEF funding, however, it is paid by IAEA because the GEF money
was not available in time, as the pro doc was just signed in June 2006.
Between now and January (expected time for hiring the project manager), we wil look at the
model and get resources for this activity.
3.0 Adding Environmental Considerations, Ms. Attalah
3.1 Main Presentation
The main outline of Ms. Atal ah's (UNDP/GEF) presentation included:
- Environmental Policies do not work properly in several cases, mainly because of undermining
factors such as: top-down approach, sectoral approach etc.
- Strategic priorities include: land (Land Degradation, dryland, . etc), water (IWRM), and
adaptation to climate change.
- Existing frameworks include NBSAPs for biodiversity, NAPs for desertification and land
degradation, NCs for climate change and NSSDs for socio economic development, gender
mainstreaming, acces to water resources, environmental sustainability
- Most of the countries have produced a MDG report. These reports can be used to link the
objectives of this project.
- Adaptation is looking at the long-term ef ect of climate change. Thus our planning should
ensure the compliance with ecosystem and climate resilient development. For example
agriculture and food security, we should ensure that this should not be af ected by climate
changes. The same concept applies for water resources management, public health, disaster
risk management and coastal development.
- Impacts of climate change on water on increased/decreased/or more variable precipitation.
- Af ecting the development sectors in Agriculture, Energy, Tourism. Water dependent industry
and inability to sustain domestic freshwater demand should be considered.
- Examples of pos ible responses include strengthening CC, improving water use ef iciency,
improved groundwater management and rainwater harvesting.
- Chal enges for the NSAS include:
o Establishing proper linkages with relevant sectors
o Looking at biodiversity as an objective
o Energy perspective
o Accounting for environmental flows
o Looking at the bigger picture
o National/Shared interface (national activities and their impact on water resources).
- Pos ible responses include the identification of key is ues, introduction of climatic variability
and keeping in mind a holistic view of development through the prism of long term
sustainability.
3.2 Comments
· Mr. Garner highlighted the importance of linking the factors that were presented, and identified the
type of required expertise for developing the SADA.
· Dr. Bakhbakhti indicated that the utilization of the NSAS for the last 40 years has led to the
extraction of 45 bil ion cubic meters that have destroyed some of the flowing wel s. Thus,
something has to be done to take care of existing oases otherwise they are going to disappear.
· Dr. Khater indicated that management involves several aspects including the technical aspects
related to hydrology. In addition, the environmental and socio-economic aspects are also parts of
management chal enges. The past at empts in NSAS focused on the hydrology of the system
without much emphasis on the other two aspects. The NSAS is a non-renewable system, and by
taking water, there wil be a drop in the water level and this can't be avoided.
· Mr Abd Al a predicted that the environmental impact can not be avoided. However, he questioned
to which extent we shal look at the environmental risk.
· Mr. Garner mentioned that in the SADA, there would be environmental risk as es ment. The
question is how to look at the mitigation level: would it be through policies or other means?
· There are opportunities that there wil be fol ow-up project that wil emphasize Nubian SAP
implementation. At this time, we are establishing a proces in this project for the coming 3 more
years (July 2009). Based on interim results, a larger project, for GEF funding could be submit ed
sometime in 2008 to car y on after the completion of the MSP.
· Ms El Khitma (Sudan) recommended that the SADA should be comprehensive by including the
various environmental dimensions in order to maintain sustainable development.
· Mr. Ismail (Chad), questioned whether we have prepared an environmental impact as es ment at
the proposal level or not.
· Ms. Atal ah (UNDP/GEF) commented that we might look at land degradation for example. This
may not be much of a concern, and after initial as es mentwe may not look at it at much later.
However, the idea of EIA is real y important and may be included in the SADA program.
· Mr. Chairman inquired if we have an environmental baseline. Also, he commented that the
mitigation would be looked at in the long run. But he inquired about how we can consider climate
change adaptation at this time (at the start of the project).
· Ms. Atal ah (UNDP/GEF) commented that we wil be reporting against the MDGs in the overal
sense, not for every country (e.g. safe acces to water resources). Mitigating the impacts of the
project may be looked at during the SADA. There are always trade-of s, e.g. do you just conserve
the water in the aquifer or would you do that at a dif erent compromise while minimizing the
impacts. We can link the SADA with the hydrological model to as ist in formulating the SAP.
4.0 Next Steps, Mr. Garner
4.1 Main Presentation
Mr. Garner (IAEA) presented the fol owing:
- SADA approach includes: technical baseline, fil ing in Data Gaps, forming national teams and
SADA training, prioritization of is ues,etc.
- The way forward includes: Begin fil ing in data gaps; Setup national implementation structures
(water sector is the lead, however other sectors should be included); Identify its own
stakeholders and the timing of the steering group meetings; Identify stakeholders (i.e. who
needs to be involved including industrial sectors); Consider regional technical team (need to
identify how to chose the expertise); setup national technical task teams (what is the profile,
TOR of the suitable candidates, what budget, etc); Review of important tools (e.g. modeling
and peer review); and SADA training.
- Implementation Preparation at National level includes: 1) Confirm National Project
Coordinators; 2) Define Inter Ministerial commit ees; 3) Plan and begin implementing next
sampling campaigns; 4) Capacity building; and 5) Feasibility to conduct stakeholder analysis
and identify the needed stakeholders. This needs to be done during the period of Sept-Dec
2006
- The SADA National Level should: consider national SADA teams based on TORs; Prepare for
SADA/SAP training. This is expected to be done in Jan/ Feb. 2007.
- NSAS modeling should: Consider status of NSAS model and potential enhancements through
peer review of the existing model and relation to other potential y useful models.
- SADA Steps to be defined are:
o Analysis at National Level (review of cur ent status, risk analysis, casual chain
analysis, analysis of options, governance as es ment and draft national SADA report)
o National consultation meeting(s)
o National SADA report
o Regional Analysis
o Regional SADA meeting
o Regional SADA report
4.2 Comments
· Mr. Abd Al a (Sudan) inquired if the training happening after the proces es and plans for SADA
have started would af ect the outcome.
· Mr. Garner clarified that the plans for the SADA should not af ect the training proces . The
proces should not be changed by the training. The training may af ect the choice of expertise
rather than modifying the proces . By the end of the week, we should have an implementation
plan. If deemed neces ary, this plan may be changed later after training or responding to other
factors.
· Mr. Chairman (Sudan) recommended that we need to focus on the regional level activities.
Col ecting the national reviews and raise them to the steering commit ee and request a plan for
implementation.
· Mr. Megrbi (Libya) asked if there is a schedule for the national plans.
· Mr. Garner responded by saying that we can look at this again after tomor ow (after deciding who
would be in the steering commit ee). The first project steering commit ee can take place during
the same period of the SADA training. Accordingly the steering commit ee can approve the
suggested plans by looking at the output of the cur ent meeting and outcome of training. Let's
focus now on what things we can get done before the training. If we look at how much time we
need to look at the analysis at National level according to the SADA steps to be defined. We
should have 4 dif erent reports (from each country) and accordingly we can meet and discus the
next steps.
· Mr. Abd Al a (Sudan) inquired if the embargo may hinder the technical exchange and training
programs.
· Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA) ensured that Sudan shal be considered and alternatives for training shal be
provided.
5.0 Group Discussion
1. Confirm National Focal Point Institutions and National Project Coordinators
Country
Decision
Additional Comment
Chad
Ministry of Environment and Water
Egypt
Research Institute of Groundwater, Ministry
of Water Resources & Ir igation (Mr. Khater)
Libya
General Water Authority (Mr. Madi)
Sudan
Directorate of Groundwater, Ministry of
Ir igation & Water Resources (Mr. Abd Al a)
The IAEA wil communicate with each country to receive of icial confirmation of the National Project
Coordinators.
2. Inter-Ministerial Commit ees
Country
Decision
Additional Comment
Chad
Ministry of Environment & Water, Ministry of
Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Tourism, Ministry of Planning and
Egypt
Ministry of Water Resources & Ir igation,
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of
Agriculture, Local Gernerates (Nile Val ey &
Matrooh)
Libya
GWA, EGA, GMMRA, GHHRUA, REDWRC,
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of industry,
Utilities, Housing Authority, Ministry of
Planning, Ministry of Foreign Af airs
Sudan
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior,
others?
Each National Project Coordinator wil be asked to further develop, at the respective national levels,
the national Inter-ministerial Commit ees.
3. Plan and begin implementing next sampling
Country
Decision
Additional Comment
Chad
To be discussed in
fol owing sessions
Egypt
To be discussed in
fol owing sessions
Libya
To be discussed in
fol owing sessions
Sudan
To be discussed in
fol owing sessions
4. Capacity Building
Country
Decision
Additional Comment
Chad
Based on previous
Egypt
agreement in Baseline
Libya
Meeting (May 2006)
Sudan
5. Stakeholder Analysis
Country
Decision
Additional Comment
Chad
Wil be fil ed later at
National level
Egypt
Ministry of Water Resources & Ir igation
(Groundwater Sector, Research Institue of
Groundwater, Central labs), Egypt Atomic
Energy Authority, Groundwater Users
As ociation, other users including investors,
tourism
Libya
GWA, EGA, GMMRA, GHHRUA,
REDWRC, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry
of industry, Utilities, Housing Authority,
Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Foreign
Af airs
Sudan
Ministry of Ir igation & Water Resources,
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of
Livestock, Ministry of Interior, Wildlife
Department, University of Khartom,
Additional Comments:
- Socio-economic expertise would be required for the SADA team
- Pre-training would be required prior to the SADA/SAP training
- Nominate experts where appropriate to work with the regional water expert to refine the model
- Identify the time required at the National level from the time of training til the preparation of
Regional SADA report (6-8 month).
6.0 Country Presentations on National Data Management
6.1 Sudan
The Sudanese representative presented the existing data base and monitoring systems using data
loggers. He expres ed his dif iculties with renewing the license for Oracle system. He recommended
the revision and training on Oracle, training on GIS, and training on GIS with link to modeling.
6.2 Libya
The Libyan representative presented the available software for database, including archmap, archview,
and NARIS. He indicated that they have been trying to instal the database for the last year (mainly
because of Oracle related problems and operating systems). These problems are final y solved and
they wil start col ecting new data to feed the NARIS. He gave a presentation il ustrating the entering
of data into NARIS.
6.3 Chad
The representative from Chad reported that there are 2 databases for hydrological data. He indicated
that they need training in monitoring, GIS and modeling
6.4 Egypt
The representative from Egypt presented the available databases including ACCESS based database
(in Arabic interface). Most existing wel s in the NSAS in Egypt are registered in the database which
has queries and reporting capabilities. He also presented the NARIS program. He expres ed that
NARIS was not maintained because of several factors including lack of monitoring funding and
renewing the Oracle license.
6.5 General Discussion
- The Oracle license is a hindrance for further utilization of NARIS
- The existing budget does not support software purchases
- Online data base management may become a feasible alternative
- UNDP/GEF encourages regional data base management. National level should be discus ed by
each country.
- Funding may be required on licensing fees.
- For isotope analysis data wil be fed to an existing program provided by IAEA.
- An agreement on using NARIS as the database needs to be identified. If so, related problems
should be solved.
- The conclusion is to review the project document and how to enhance the data management while
considering the licensing is ue at a later stage.
7.0 Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and SAP, Ms. Atallah & Mr.
Garner
7.1 Main Presentations
Ms. Ataah (UNDP/GEF) presented the fol owing main points:
- Background to the international waters TDA/SAP
- We need international water diagnostic analysis
- What is meant by international waters (large marine ecosystems, estuaries, river basins, . etc.)
- The scientific and technical fact finding analysis. It should be an objective as es ment and not a
negotiated document. It acts as both a planning a diagnostic tool for measuring the ef ectivenes
of SAP.
- The SAP is a negotiated policy document. It establishes clear priorities for regional and national
actions to resolve the priority transboundary waters problems. It identifies policy, legal and
institutional reforms and investments needed to addres the priority transboundary water problems.
The preparation of a SAP is a cooperative proces among key stakeholders in the countries of the
region.
- The TDA identifies: the priority environmental/water resources problems, environmental and
socio-economic impacts, underlying sectoral and root causes, and analysis of governance. The
TDA is based on a reasoned and mulri-sectoral consideration of the problems.
- The SAP outlines the policy, legal and institutional reforms and investments needed to resolve the
priority TB problems. It must be agreed before technical as istance, capacity building or
investment projects.
Mr. Garner (IAEA) presented the fol owing main points
- Why a SAP
- Explained the inter-relation between component 3 and other components
- SAP is a negotiated policy document which should identify policy, legal and institutional reforms
and investments.
- Key principles of a SAP should be based on feasible options. It should be endorsed at the highest
level and established clear priorities. In addition, it should be based on a vision statement and
long-term environmental quality objectives.
- There are 6 main steps required to develop the SAP:
o Bridging the SADA and SAP development (Regional)
o Brainstorming ways to at ain the Eco/WR QQs (Regional)
o Examination of alternatives (National)
o Development of short-term and M& E Indicators (Regional)
o Drafting the SAP (Regional/National)
o Ministerial Development (Regional/National)
- Planning the remaining steps of the SAP
- The flow of activities
7.2 Comments
- Ms. Atal ah (UNDP/GEF): This project is unique. It has a scientific component and diagnostic
component to reach a SAP which should lead to an agreement on sustainable development.
- Mr. Garner (IAEA): The technical part is supportive to the legal and institutional component of the
project.
- Ms. ElKhitma (Sudan): The project emphasizes the sustainable and environmental development
that should af ect the policy formulation.
- Mr. Chairperson (Sudan) suggests to have an overal strategy before thinking about the specific
SAP of this project (this project may become a part of the overal strategy).
- One of the components is formulating the SAP. The SAP is one of the outputs of the project but it
is stil a negotiated document.
- Mr. Garner (IAEA): The project wil establish the SAP proces . It wil up to the countries to adopt
the SAP and sustain it. This may involve negotiations (e.g. how do we define rational and
equitable? What time period? Who wil use it?). SADA wil suggest the kind of transboundary
is ues (if any).
IAEA / UNDP / GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS)
Inception Meeting
July 16th-20th; Tripoli, Libya
Date: July 18th, 2006
Chairperson: Ahmed Rashad Khater
Rapporteur: Sameh Afifi & Mohamed ElHas an Ibrahim
1.0 Attendees
IAEA, NAPC
Ali Bous aha Austria
Wil iam Andrew Garner Austria
Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal Austria
UNDP/GEF
Mirey Atal ah Lebanon
UNESCO
Raya Stephan IHP, France
Chad
Ismail Mosa NIEE/DH
Mahamat Kher Salah SGA/MEE
Reoueb Mel Noe DEP/DH/MEE
Egypt
Ahmed Khater MWRI/RIGW
Sameh Afifi MWRI/RIGW
Ahmed Abdel Maksoud MWRI/GWS
Ekhlas Gamal ElDin EEAA
Mostaf A. Sadek EAEA
Libya
AbdulHakim El Waer EGA
Ali Gashut NBRD
Mohamed M. Amer GEF/EGA
Mehdi A. Mejrhi GWA
Mohamed Baegi RE & WD Center
Lotfi Ali Madi GWA
Salah EDDin ElMesal ati Foreign Liaison Sector
Salem Ghurbal REWDRC
Mohamed Busit a REWDRC
Hamza B. Hamza REWDRC
El-Hadi S. Henshir GWA
Taher Abofila GWA
Mohamed Bakhbakhi AlFateh University
MufTah Fel ah - GWA
Sudan
El Khitma El Awad HCENR
Abdal a Mhoamed Khen HCENR
Mohamed Bahar Eldien Ministry of Ir igation
Mohamed Elhas an Ibrahim Ministry of Ir igation
2.0 Morning Discussion
· Mr. Chairman (Egypt) inquired about yesterday's task for preparing an estimate on the time
required to prepare the regional SAP report.
· Mr. Garner stated the steps to be defined for SAP as fol ows:
o Preparation and initiation (regional) [by bridging the SADA and SAP, Developing Long-
term Eco QOs, and planning remaining steps of the SAP]
o Suggesting Options (regional) [Brainstorming ways to at ain the EcoQOs]
o Preparing National SAP Reports (regional) Examination of alternatives, developing
targets, set measurable indicators, developing short-term and priority actions, agreement on
the institutional framework, and drafting the National Action Programmes]
o Preparing the Regional SAP report (regional) [ drafting the regional SAP, and adoption of
the SAP]
· Egypt suggested 8-12 month, Libya suggested 12 month, Sudan suggested 12 month, and Chad did
not suggest a specific duration but mentioned that it would take 4 months to finish the national
report.
· Ms. At alah indicated that the SADA training wil addres the threats and risks as ociated with the
shared aquifer. There would be some overlap between SADA and the initial step for the SAP.
· Mr. Garner (IAEA) commented that 2 years from now, we know that we wil get the clear
objectives/goals set and how the cooperation on the NSAS should lead to. It is not just water
management, but also socio-economic and environmental management. The final agreement may
be achieved after most of the work has been done and that this proces of finalizing the SAP and
reaching agreement might spil over into the fol ow-up GEF project.
· Mr. Abdal ah (Sudan) mentioned that the understanding of SADA is not satisfactory. Even, if we
are late to start the project, we stil need to have ample time for the preparing course; this could
include online courses or sending out background material to countries in advance of the training.
· Mr. Garner (IAEA) stated that there wil be training in January 2007. Before the training, there
wil be published training material to explain the proces . It is also planned that there wil be a
meeting after the training to discus the output and methods of application in term of steps and
time frame. Furthermore, as this approach is relatively new to groundwater management, we wil
apply adaptive management, i.e. learn as we go and adapt as neces ary.
· Mr. Bahr Eldin (Sudan) suggested that the joint authority, in its cur ent situation, doe not have the
capacity to do the action programme. We, first need to study and learn more about the aquifer in
order to bet er understand how to appropriately develop and manage the aquifer. A smal
commit ee should be established in the first part of the project to start formulating the whole vision
for set ing a SAP.
3.0 Introduction to Component 3 of Institutional framework, Mr. Garner
3.1 Main Presentation
The main outline of Mr. Garner (IAEA) presentation includes:
- Overal Objectives
- Project Components
- Component 3 chart
- The context of Component 3 (establish a framework for an agreed legal and institutional
mechanism towards a NSAS convention for joint 4 party-management.)
- Suggested activities (inform relevant decision-makers, mobilize national and regional
expertise, review national groundwater legislation/policy documents, and looking at bilateral
agreements, preparation of background document on legal requirements, meeting of legal
experts, formulation of options regarding nature/structure and mandate of NSAS ar angement,
drafting regional text and convening national legal work, convening inter-governmental
negotiation ses ions, and drafting of a legal framework with agreement on proces and content
for a legal mechanism)
4.0 Overview of Legal Frameworks in UNDP/GEF Water Projects, Ms.
Attalah
The presentation included:
- Examples of UNDP-GEF IW projects supporting existing transboundary waters legal and
institutional frameworks (e.g. Niger River basin, .etc)
- Examples of UNDP-GEF IW projects supporting development and adoption of new TBW
legal and institutional mechanisms (e.g. Caspian Sea, Lake Tanganyika, Nile Rive Basin, Legal
agreement to be developed for the Joint Authority of the Nubian Shared Aquifer System,
Benguela Cur ent LME, Western Pacific)
- Examples of project activities of Legal frameworks (Development of new legal agreements,
preparation and adoption of protocols to existing & emerging legal agreements, SAP
formulation and SAP implementation).
- UNDP does not expect to have ful agreement in this project, but may reach that in a fol owing
project (e.g. during implementation)
- This project is one of the first UNDP-GEF international waters project for a transboundary
aquifer. Thus, we wil al be learning by doing.
- The project wil provide linkages to emerging global proces es in strengthening groundwater
management and governance including ef orts to develop a global groundwater legal
framework.
- The important component of GEF International Waters overal strategy is to addres gaps in
groundwater programming and strengthening linkages to surface water management
- The strategic importance of NSAS to economic development in the four countries was
underlined.
- Examples of chal enges for this project include: accelerated and ambitious time frame of 30
months; GEF TDA should be a consensus agreed by al parties; budgetary constraints of MSP
make national, IAEA, UNDP, other donor co-financing vital etc. Other chal enging aspects
include: cros -sectoral nature of groundwater utilization, unique nature of NSAS resource in
term of being large and non-renewable, and limited global experience/models for multinational
transboundary groundwater legal frameworks;
- Example of as ets that we have include UNDP country of ices in each NSAS country, other
transboundary groundwater projects in the region (NW Sahara project etc.) , IAEA involved as
a valuable technical partner, solid cooperation basis, strong country commitment, and solid in-
country expertise and pos ibilities of sharing experiences.
5.0 Current Status of Shared Aquifers in International Law, Ms. Stephan
Ms. Stephan (UNESCO-IHP) presented the fol owing:
- Cur ent state of international law has limited consideration of transboundary aquifers in
international law in term of
o Subsidiary to surface water - UN Watercourse Convention (1997); and state practice
(river basins agreements). The later convention considers groundwater when there is an
interaction/related to surface water. However, there are few exceptions.
-
- Codification at the International Law Commis ion (ILC) included the fol owing phases: 1) In
2002, the ILC included in its programme of work the topic of shared natural resources; 2) The
first report in 2003 discus ed the background of the topic; 3) the second report in 2004
introducedthe term "aquifer" and submit ed seven draft articles; and 4) the third report in 2005
introduced a ful set of draft articles on the law of transboundary aquifers.
- UNESCO-IHP has been active within the framework of the ISARM project to provide
scientific as istance to the Special Rapporteur of the UNILC in the preparation of the draft
articles on transboundary aquifers, and has since the beginning coordinated a multi-
disciplinary ad-hoc task force of groundwater experts who has met regularly with the Special
Rapporteur.
- The UN GA 6th Commit ee expres ed a global support tothe project and global support to the
approach adopted in the reports and to the scientific consultation with GW experts.
- In 2006, the ILC adopted the draft articles (19) at first reading. There are five parts:
introduction, general principles, protection, activities, and miscel aneous provisions.
- ,
6.0 Country Presentation on Institutional and Legal Framework
6.1 Libya
- Mr. Lotfi presented the mandate of the joint authority for the study and development of the NSAS
- Discus ed the establishment, rules (in Arabic, English and French), location, objectives, function
of the authority (col ection of al information, preparation and execution of al complementary
studies, develop programmes and plans for the utilization of water, water management of the
NSAS, etc)
- The Management of the Authority is composed of board of directors consisting of three part time
members from each country. The board has had 8 meetings to date.
- The budget and financial resources is generated by each year. Last budget was $400,000.
- The website is www.jasad-nsas.org, email: infor@jasad-nsas.org
- The layout of the signed protocol was shown.
6.2 Sudan
- Mr. Abdal ah, (Sudan): In Sudan, there is a federal type of government composed of central
government and 26 states. There is a Water Resources Act which distinguishes two types of water
bodies: 1) transient waters (those which cros the boundaries of two states or international
boundary) and 2) non-transient water (water within one state). Thus, the situation in Sudan is
unique to other NSAS countries. Sudan and Egypt have an agreement that defines the share of
each country for the River Nile. As for Groundwater, the only cooperation is through the Joint
Authority for the Study and Development of the NSAS.
6.3 Chad
- Mr. Ismail (Chad): In Chad, there is the Directorate of Water which as ures the sound application
and utilization of water resources. When there is no on-going projects, the directorate is active in
studies, but not much work has been done.
6.4 Egypt
- Mr. Khater (Egypt): Joint Management of Shared Aquifer Systems. Groundwater aquifers can
span international boundaries may be part of a greater hydrologic system linked with the surface or
groundwater of the respective neighboring states.
- Socio-Economic Aspects that are applicable to the management of shared aquifer systems are
similar to national aquifers and driven by national priorities. In the absence of joint management
there is a risk of imposing high social and economic costs and of incur ing los es of resources and
benefits.
- Environmental aspects are dependent on pat erns of natural flows in related aquifers. It requires
the establishment of regional agreements and frameworks as wel as for providing for institutional
mechanisms, ensuring continuity and stability of cooperation in the shared aquifers.
- There is very limited experience worldwide regarding the international legal and institutional
regime regulating the use of shared aquifer systems.
- Frameworks can be derived from international treaties and agreement.
- Procedures for protection and monitoring shared aquifers would minimize the environmental risks.
6.5 Comments
- Ms. Ikhlas (Egypt) emphasized the importance of applying EIA in the area of the aquifer
- Ms. Raya (UNESCO) emphasized the importance of the national framework in each country.
It is the national framework authority in each country that wil implement regulations.
- Mr. Bous aha (IAEA) suggested that it would be important to have an inventory of the
institutional tools in the countries and to determine how to share the resources and information.
As part of this program, it is important to promote the harmonization of the regional
framework.
- Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA):asked the countries to give their views on the JA.
- Egypt suggests that the regulation for the existing authority may be modified to reflect the
joining of Sudan and Chad.
- Sudan: Sudan joined the authority after it has been initiated between Egypt and Libya. The
authority is not able to take its commitments because several countries are supposed to
contribute its input.
- Chad: The Joint Authority was viewed only as a project. Our country did not give it a specific
status. In such a meeting, the JA s hould have been represented.
- Mr. Bahr Eldin (Sudan): we are facing two alternatives: 1) we introduce a new body to manage
the NSAS; or 2) Continue with the existing joint authority. We need to re-visit the constitution
of the Joint Authority. It is preferable to enhance the JA. He cal s for a meeting of the JA.
- Mr. Lotfi (Libya) mentioned that he made his presentation as an Acting Executive Director of
the Joint Authority and not just as the Libyan delegate. He also mentioned that al the funding
for the Joint Authority came from the Libyan side without any contribution of the other
countries and thus, only limited activities were accomplished. Also, not much regional work
has been accomplished.
- Mr. Bous aha emphasized that this Inception meeting is not a meeting of the Joint Authority.
Mr. Bous aha indicated that we are not questioning the Joint Authority which is a political
body. However, we are here to develop and promote the goals of the NSAS countries. We
have a cooperative programme and the question is how the activities of this project can be
linked with the existing activities of the NSAS governments (i.e. through Joint Authority or
other). This is a technical and management is ue but not political including how this project
can establish a management mechanism to benefit the on-going framework of the countries.
There is already a cooperative framework between the NSAS countries and we should think of
how to enhance this cooperation.
- Ms. Atalah (UNDP/GEF): this project was encouraged by UNDP/GEF because of the existing
cooperation agreement between the NSAS 4 countries. There is a component of this project
that wil focus on legal framework in terms of water resources by starting the agreement of
several subjects such as sharing of water resources, economic and environmental ar angement,
etc.
- Egypt: Mr Bous aha has raised a positive point : looking at dif erent ways from the four
countries how to enhance the JA.
- Sudan suggests a smal commit ee of persons which can make the link between the project and
the JA.
- Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA): this is a very good opportunity to build on the existing cooperation
between the NSAS countries.
- Ms. Ikhlas (Egypt): there should be a continuous sustainability of the cooperation (maybe
through a selected commit ee) to car y the required activities during and after the project is
completed.
- Ms. At alah (UNDP/GEF): Ministries of finance should be involved and commit ed to this
project and future activities.
- Mr. Bous aha (IAEA): how can we convey the output of this meeting to the Joint Authority.
This could be through the meeting report or other means.
- Mr. Garner (IAEA) suggests that in component 3, the terminology could be revised from
"establish" to "enhance" the legal framework. This afternoon we can look at the appropriate
reporting mechanism for al the components and indicators.
- Ms. Stephan (UNESCO) suggested that we should focus on implementation on a regional level
as wel as the national level.
7.0 Welcoming Remarks, Mr. Boussaha
Mr. Bous aha (IAEA) emphasized that it is very important to have this inception meeting. He
indicated that this is a highly important activity. On behalf of the agency, Mr. Bous aha expres ed his
appreciation to the member states for the cooperation on this project. He ensured that IAEA would
like to promote the cooperation as an example project for Africa and other regions. Final y, Mr.
Bous aha expres ed his pleasure to be here.
8.0 Group Discussion on Component 3
· Mr. Bahr Eldin (Sudan): the listed activities under component 3 would take 2 years to get
completed.
· Ms. Stephan (UNESCO) raised the is ue of working on paral el between components. For
example, the national legal experts working under component 3, could work in the same time
frame as the national experts working on the national SADA reports (Component 1.)
· Mr. Garner (IAEA) supported the above suggestion.
· Ms. At alah (UNDP/GEF): at UNDP, there is a strong emphasis on this institutional and legal
component (component 3).
· Mr. Salem (Libya) intervened by mentioning that it is pre-mature to discuss component 3 because
it needs further discus ions and consultations in the country. He suggested to organize another
meeting, perhaps around the end of the year to give more time.Thus, this component can be
discus ed later after each country reviews it on the national level; thereafter there could be a
clearer vision for implementation. In the previous project a mechanism was established, two
agreements were signed, one of the considerations could be to make them ef ective. He also
expres ed the view that the project should be hosted under the JA. The JA should be more
incorporated to the project.
· Ms. At alah (UNDP/GEF) emphasized that this component is a vital and es ential part of the
project for the involvement of UNDP-GEF and UNESCO. Thus, what we are looking for right
now is an indication about the implementation of the component. Details what be discus ed and
determined later once the project component gets started, on a consensus basis.
· Mr. Garner (IAEA) explained that this cur ent Inception meeting is a first step for planning this
component with more details to be determined in a coming meeting (i.e. could be organized to
coincide with the SADA training, for example, or could be a bit later) to enhance the on-going
legislative and institutional framework for cooperation between the countries.
· Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA) emphasized that Component 3, as of now, does not impose a law, or any
changes to the existing framework without the consensus of al 4 countries.
· Mr. Bous aha mentioned that including this item in this discus ion was based on the project
document. The discus ion would give a feel for the activities rather than a commitment. Mr.
Bous aha refer ed to page 44 of the project report where national reforms to support regional
cooperation can be seen as a cooperative action. In some countries, governments give at ention to
national regulations, the question is: would this be considered as part of the regional cooperation??
· Mr. Afifi (Egypt): The activities stated in component 3 would be executed in paral el. The tasks
can be accomplished in a period 6 to 30 month.
· Mr. Ismail (Chad) expected 24 month to get the activities done.
9.0 Roles & Responsibilities, Mr. Garner
Mr. Garner (IAEA) presented the fol owing
- Four NSAS Countries (National Focal Institutions, national Project coordinators)
- Joint Authority
- Implementing Agency
- Executing Agency
- Cooperating Organizations
- Regional Project Steering Commit ee (PSC)
- The Implementing Agency, UNDP, is responsible for overal project delivery and reporting
directly to GEF,
- The Executing Agency, the IAEA, is responsible for assuring that the project is conducted
according to the project document and delivers the expected results; this includes responsibility
for overal project management, working directly with 4 countries, and steering technical
components of the project
- UNESCO, as a Cooperating Organization, is guiding the implementation of legal component
(Component 3) of the project, providing guidance and support overal activities
- The 4 NSAS countries are both responsible for implementing activities at the national level as
wel as are the beneficiaries of the project. They are responsible for actively contributing to
the project, providing institutional and financial support (according to the already agreed
amount of co-funding,) and for providing representation. The respective countries wil
indicate the National Focal institutions, national project coordinators (NPCs), establish and
coordinate national inter-ministerial commit ees (as per GEF requirement) and coordinate the
neces ary national expert teams.
- The NSAS Joint Authority provides the legal framework at the regional level, and has an
important role in project implementation, providing guidance via the PSC etc.
- The project steering commit ee (PSC) should steer/ provide guidance for project
implementation (should meet once a year). The constitution of the PSC was agreed and wil be
conducted via a terms of reference.
- The project manager is to be recruited by IAEA and initialy supported administratively by
IAEA HQ. The project manager is to be based initial y in Vienna (in a fol ow-up GEF project,
the project manager and any other project staf should be moved to an agreed site in the
region) with significant travel in each country. It wil be an open proces according to IAEA
regulations. The position wil be announced online. There is a TOR already prepared and
available, and the candidate should be Arabic, English and French speaking/writing.
- Mr. Khater (Egypt): the focal points may not be a member of the Joint Authority.
- Mr. Bahr Eldin (Sudan): We have to dif erentiate between national coordinator and focal point.
The suggestion is to have 2 people from each country on the steering commit ee (one is the
national coordinator and the other one can be suggested by the country who is not a member of
the Joint Authority).
- Mr. Salem (Libya): 2 delegates + focal coordinator from each country should be present on the
steering commit ee.
- Mr. Afifi (Egypt): the steering commit ee may have additional members from other agencies
including CEDARE, universities, others.
- Ms. El Khitma (Sudan): As the project is concerning environment, thus, the GEF focal point
has be involved in the project steering commit ee at the regional level.
- Mr. Hamza (Libya): for framing the legal aspects of this project by the team, a legal adviser
should be provided and linked directly to the team.
- Ms. Stephan (UNESCO): it is a good idea. I suggest you could include a legal expert in the
national SADA team with other experts (agriculture, environmental, . etc.)
- Mr. Garner, (IAEA), the PSC could have 2 members from each country, with at least one a
national board member of the Joint Authority, a representative of the Joint Authority
(Executive Secretary) UNDP/GEF, IAEA and UNESCO should be represented as members.
Other organizations might be invited on a case by case basis to discus specific is ues related
to project implementation.
IAEA / UNDP / GEF Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS)
Inception Meeting
July 16th-20th; Tripoli, Libya
Date: July 19th, 2006
Chairperson: Salah Idjemi Mahamat
Rapporteur: Sameh Afifi
1.0 Attendees
IAEA, NAPC
Ali Bous aha Austria
Wil iam Andrew Garner Austria
Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal Austria
UNDP/GEF
Mirey Atal ah Lebanon
UNESCO
Raya Estephan IHP, France
Chad
Ismail Mosa NIEE/DH
Mahamat Kher Salah SGA/MEE
Reoueb Mel Noe DEP/DH/MEE
Egypt
Ahmed Khater MWRI/RIGW
Sameh Afifi MWRI/RIGW
Ahmed Abdel Maksoud MWRI/GWS
Ekhlas Gamal ElDin EEAA
Mostaf A. Sadek EAEA
Libya
AbdulHakim El Waer EGA
Ali Gashut NBRD
Mohamed M. Amer GEF/EGA
Mehdi A. Mejrhi GWA
Mohamed Baegi RE & WD Center
Lotfi Ali Madi GWA
Salah EDDin ElMesal ati Foreign Liaison Sector
Salem Ghurbal REWDRC
Mohamed Busit a REWDRC
Hamza B. Hamza REWDRC
El-Hadi S. Henshir GWA
Taher Abofila GWA
Mohamed Bakhbakhi AlFateh University
MufTah Fel ah - GWA
Sudan
El Khitma El Awad HCENR
Abdal a Mhoamed Khen HCENR
Mohamed Bahar Eldien Ministry of Ir igation
Mohamed Elhas an Ibrahim Ministry of Ir igation
2.0 Project Management Component 5, Mr. Garner
2.1 Main Presentation
Mr. Garner (IAEA) presented the fol owing:
· For the IAEA/UNDP/GEF NSAS project there are 2 types of M&E: 1) M&E of project
implementation, 2) M&E of status of the NSAS based on GEF IW.
· Thus, there are two type of indicators: 1) Project Implementation indicators and 2) Project Impact
indicators.
· M&E of project implementation: progres reporting (to PSC), annual reporting (to UNDP/GEF),
and project evaluation (to UNDP/GEF)
· M&E of status of the NSAS based on GEF IW indicators: I) proces , I ) stres reduction and I I)
environmental indicators.
· I) Proces indicators include: 1) SADA agreed and completed, 2) Inter- ministerial commit ees
formed and working, and 3) Legal & institutional framework enhanced.
· I ) Stres Reduction indicators include: 1) Pol ution source reduced or eliminated, 2) non-point
source pol ution programme implemented, and 3) specific to groundwater (e.g. groundwater
protection zones, amount of oases protected, etc.)
· I I) Environmental Status Indicators include for example: 1) improvements in water quality (e.g.
saltwater intrusion, etc.), and 2) increase in certain species i.e. signs that an ecosystem is actual y
improving. What has not been identified yet is how this is related to groundwater (e.g. reductions
in risks/threats).
· NSAS countries should support annual reporting activities by providing inputs for the respective
reporting requirements e.g. annual reports etc. as required.
2.2 Comments
- Ms. Atal ah (UNDP/GEF): based on previous UNDP/GEF project experience, because the project
period is limited (30 months), there may not be clear environmental indicators within this period.
In the mean time, Ms. At alah encouraged that al participants should start thinking about the type
of indicators that can be applied.
- Mr. Bahr Eldin (Sudan): Some of the indicators are measurable, but others are descriptive. He
questioned if we have a baseline to measure such indicators or do we have to develop a baseline
- Mr. Garner (IAEA): We may be able to develop some of the baseline now, however, the SADA
could provide such a baseline in the near future after it is completed.
- Mr. Amer (Libya UNDP/GEF): each country should develop its own indicators because they may
dif er from one country to the other.
- Mr. Khater (Egypt): we have to distinguish between the M&E for the project and M&E for the
NSAS. He asked that everyone has to distinguish between the 2 things.
- Mr. Afifi (Egypt): fol ow up on Mr. Amer's point, for example, each country should set a dif erent
screening level in terms of water quality. The screening level should be adjusted to the acceptable
water quality standard that each country is looking to achieve.
- Mr. Ismail (Chad): How can we put a M&E system for cases like in Chad where there is no use of
NSAS as of now?
- Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA): We have to monitor something that exists or occurs. Thus, if there is a
slightly increase in utilization of NSAS in a certain country, this is a progres to be monitored.
- Ms. Atal ah (UNDP/GEF): The GEF is also interested in monitoring to see how the funding has
been ef ectively implemented. When we talk about an aquifer system, GEF is interested in the
M&E of the impact of the project in term of water, institutional, environmental, ecosystems etc.
- Mr. Garner (IAEA) brought up the idea of publishing a project brochure in Egypt, Arabic and
French.
3.0 Advanced Preparation for Sampling Campaigns
- Mr. Aggarwal: At the baseline meeting countries provided sampling plans. Each country should
highlight again the main points of their sampling plan.
3.1 Libya
- There are 29 sites to sample for various isotopes.
- The pre-project data, reports, papers and open files (since 1970s) are cur ently available
- Garyounis University (in Benghazi) jointly with German experise have conducted some sampling
activities and studies on lithology, aquifer parameters, and water quality.
- Many of the previous sampling was based on studying the properties of the aquifer.
- The gaps are identified and various locations that require sampling were presented.
- The sampling is recommended in start in October because of the good weather. Two cars wil be
needed for this activity.
- Stratification among other factors wil be a main objective in the upcoming sampling activities.
3.2 Egypt
- Showed the existing monitoring network for the NSAS in Egypt
- Sampling campaigns included several is ues:
o Transboundary is ues for the 3rd sampling campaign to be conducting in Nov 2006. The
sampling includes 100 samples for O18, H2 and 50 samples for C13&C14, and 10 samples
for H3. The sampling wil be conducted by RIGW and EAEA. International consultants
and air compres or is required for this campaign.
o Discharge/abstraction is ue for the 4th Sampling Campaign to be conducted in Feb 2007. It
includes 50 samples for Cl profiles, H3, CFC and Nobel Gas es from south Egypt,
Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariya, Siwa and N Western Desert. The sampling wil be
conducted by RIGW,EAEA and IAEA.
3.3 Sudan
- According to the prepared workplan in December 2005 and modified in baseline meeting, Sudan is
ready to conduct the sampling campaign if:
o The requested equipment (geo-electric logger, air compres or, submersible pump, video
camera) are available in Sudan
- Sampling campaign may be modified in the future according to conditions. There wil be three
sampling campaigns (September 2006, December 2006, and March 2007).
3.4 Chad
- Presented the outline for national work plan than mainly depends on:
o Availability of water sampling points
o Capacity building, and
o Characterization of aquifer.
- Emphasized the need for equipment, training that would proceed any sampling campaign.
- Some of the existing wel s inside Chad are out of the NSAS boundaries.
- There are six monitoring wel s that could be used for sampling as of now.
3.5 Comments
- Mr. Aggarwal (IAEA) wanted Chad to confirm that 4 of the existing 10 wel s in Chad are out of
the NSAS boundary (i.e. only 6 are available)
- Mr. Ismail (Chad) confirmed the above fact. He also indicated that some of the wel s in Chad are
more easily acces ible from Libya rather than inside Chad.
- Mr. Bous aha (IAEA) inquired about the previous sampling and analysis conducted in Egypt
during the previous project(s), and whether Egypt has considered that in the new sampling plan
and if not, what would be done.
- Mr. Khater (Egypt): in the previous projects have not been in depth. We are looking forward to
this application and the majority of the previous work was done in the institute and nothing would
prevent us from going on. We seek the as istance with guiding the isotopes because we do not
understand how to integrate these as es ment into conventional analysis. We have questions
raised before on various is ues such as the objectives of samples and what is the need for isotope
analysis as wel as the basis upon which one decides the spatial distribution. May be we need to
review the proposed sampling plan.
- Mr. Bous aha (IAEA): I recommend that you have a 1-day seminar to make an inventory of what
has been done in terms of isotope hydrology analysis. We want to make sure that we are not
starting from scratch. It is our policy that we encourage that each country should use its local
expertise. However, the project shal not pay for local isotopic analysis services.
- Mr. Mostafa (Egypt): this has to be agreed with Dr. Ali Islam in Egypt.
- Ms. At alah (UNDP/GEF): the terminology "establishment of institutional ...." should remain as is
in the project document, however, with the understanding that establishment involves the
enhancement of the existing system(s)/ ar angements.
Annex 4
Project Implementation Plan