IOWater - International News

2 The News N° 29 - February 2019 The International Network of Basin Organisa- tions (INBO), the Global Alliances for Water and Climate (GAfWaC), the International Network of Water Training Centres (INWTC) and their partners, were given the coor- dination of about ten thematic sessions in connection with the Forum’s “Regional” and “Citizen” processes. These sessions allowed addressing the issues of integrated management of transboundary river basins, the adaptation, which is now essential, to the effects of climate change on water resources and the information and trai- ning of all stakeholders concerned. Two Special Sessions, among the most attended throughout the Forum, were devoted to “Strengthening Citizen Participa- tion in Basin Management” and to “Water Information Systems: Data and Tools for Water Management and for Making the Right Deci- sions”. First, we will remember the slogan, which has prevailed in almost all the themes of the Forum: “We cannot manage what we do not know how to measure!”. In each country and each basin, the organisa- tion and improvement of the production, col- lection, conservation and exchange of data, as part of true Integrated Water Information Systems (WIS), whose long-term sustaina­ bility must be ensured, should allow for a pre- cise view of the situations and of their evolu- tion, especially in relation with the effects of climate change. Early warning systems for floods and droughts must be developed wherever necessary. A second major advance of the Brasilia Forum is the recognition of the impor- tance of all stakeholders’ participation in the definition and achievement of the common objectives for water resources management. It is especially necessary to use recognized consultation frameworks such as Basin Com- mittees or Councils, Local Water Commissions or River or Aquifer Contracts for this purpose. Access to information, training and envi- ronmental education needs to be improved, especially for the most disadvantaged popu- lations. With regard to the prevention of trans- boundary conflicts: l Cooperation and dialogue between ripa- rian countries on transboundary waters offer important perspectives for their sus- tainable development, regional integra- tion and improved relations for mutual benefit in all economic, social and ecolo- gical fields; l The establishment and strengthening of International Commissions, Authorities or Joint Organisations in transboundary basins improve dialogue, conflict resolu- tion and the sharing of the cooperation benefits between riparian countries; l These joint organisations should have clear mandates and human, technical and financial resources to carry out their mis- sions; l There is a broad consensus to promote joint management of surface and ground- water in the same area and to better pro- tect transboundary aquifers. Regarding adaptation to climate change: Mobilisation is essential at global level to urgently implement programmes to prevent and adapt to the effects of global warming on freshwater resources. The “Paris Pact on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Basins of Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers”, launched at the COP21, pro- poses a set of actions that have proved effec- tive and immediately applicable. Freshwater must be truly recognised as a priority in the UNFCCC COPs’ negotiations, especially by emphasising the importance of adaptation measures alongside mitigation measures. It is urgent to have a better integration of water policies with those of the other strate- gic sectors, such as a sustainable city, agricul- ture and food, health, waterways transport, fisheries, mines or hydropower, in particular. Stakeholders are encouraged to include Nature-Based Solutions in an ambitious way in their policies and strategies for com- bating climate change, in land-use planning and water resources management. It is necessary to significantly increase fun- ding for climate action in the water sector in order to support not only infrastructure pro- jects, but also serve to improve knowledge of water resources and climate change impacts, capacity building, governance, monitoring and evaluation of policies. They should also support river basin orga- nisations for sustainable water resources management, especially when transboun- dary water resources are concerned. It is time to take stock of the situation... Feedback from 18 - 23 March 2018 - Brasilia - Brazil Session on “Water Information Systems” international events