Capacity Building and Training on Environmental Planning and Management

UNESCO-Cairo Office

Palestinian Water Authority Al AzharUniversity

House of Water and Environment

Green Cross International

Flemish Governmentof Belgium

UNESCO-Cairo Office

German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ)

Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean(GWP-Med)

United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP)

State Hydraulic Works

DSI

ORGANISED BY:ORGANISED BY:

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN PALESTINEAND MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN PALESTINE

InterContinental Hotel, Amman – Jordan27-29 August 2007

Give Humanity a ChanceGive the Earth a Future

Right to Water as Universal Human Right Right to Water as Universal Human Right and and

the Consequences of its implementation the Consequences of its implementation in Middle East and in Palestinein Middle East and in Palestine

BertrandBertrand CharrierCharrierVice PresidentVice President

Green Cross InternationalGreen Cross International

Une PlanUne Planèète dte d’’Eau Eau

SaltSalt Water Planet Water Planet

97.5%Saltwater(oceans)

0.26%Accessible

Freshwater(lakes, aquifers,

rivers, etc.)

2.24%InaccessibleFreshwater

(polar icecaps,glaciers anddeep groundwater)

Adapted source: WMO / UNESCO.1997

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges40,700 km40,700 km33 total annual flow of Streams and total annual flow of Streams and RiversRivers12,400 km12,400 km33 accessible sustainable flowaccessible sustainable flow2,290 km2,290 km33 human consumptive withdrawalhuman consumptive withdrawal4,490 km4,490 km33 used to dilute and carry away pollutionused to dilute and carry away pollution6,780 km6,780 km33 total human use total human use Half of sustainable freshwater runoff is Half of sustainable freshwater runoff is already usedalready used

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

During 20th Century water consumption grew During 20th Century water consumption grew twice as fast as population twice as fast as population In 2050, 9 to 10 billion people, water consumption In 2050, 9 to 10 billion people, water consumption 10,200 km10,200 km33

1/3 of world1/3 of world’’s population experiences water stresss population experiences water stressIn 2050, 2/3 of worldIn 2050, 2/3 of world’’s population will experience s population will experience water stresswater stress

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

1.1 billion people have no access to drinking 1.1 billion people have no access to drinking waterwater2.4 billion have no access to basic sanitation2.4 billion have no access to basic sanitation3 million children die every year of water3 million children die every year of water-- borne borne diseases (30 Boeing 747s crashing on a daily diseases (30 Boeing 747s crashing on a daily basis)basis)

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

The Colorado, Yellow, Nile, Ganges, IndusThe Colorado, Yellow, Nile, Ganges, Indus…… run run drydryIn many places water tables and aquifers are In many places water tables and aquifers are depleteddepletedWetlands, rivers and aquifers are being overWetlands, rivers and aquifers are being over--exploited, polluted and irreparably damagedexploited, polluted and irreparably damaged

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

Women and girls in particular are robbed of their Women and girls in particular are robbed of their dignity, health and personal safety by the daily dignity, health and personal safety by the daily struggle to fetch water and manage their hygiene.struggle to fetch water and manage their hygiene.Absence of clean water and basic sanitation traps Absence of clean water and basic sanitation traps people in poverty and threatens security in many people in poverty and threatens security in many regions of the world.regions of the world.

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

Governments have declared water a priority, but Governments have declared water a priority, but little is being done and investments are little is being done and investments are inadequate.inadequate.MDGsMDGs and Johannesburg Commitments are and Johannesburg Commitments are threatened.threatened.There is no international and legally binding There is no international and legally binding instrument dedicated to protecting the peopleinstrument dedicated to protecting the people’’s s right to the water they need to survive.right to the water they need to survive.

Global Freshwater ChallengesGlobal Freshwater Challenges

Water is indispensable for a variety of functions Water is indispensable for a variety of functions Water cannot be considered as a mere Water cannot be considered as a mere commodity whose multiple uses represent commodity whose multiple uses represent interchangeable valuesinterchangeable values

WATER IS IRREPLACEABLEWATER IS IRREPLACEABLE

Unresolved DebatesUnresolved Debates

Human Rights Human Rights Water for Economic Development Water for Economic Development -- Water for Water for Nature Nature -- Water for PeopleWater for PeopleInternational Watercourses International Watercourses -- National Sovereignty National Sovereignty Universal Principles and Global Water Universal Principles and Global Water ConventionConventionCurrent and future needs Current and future needs -- SustainabilitySustainability

DefinitionsDefinitions

Human Right to WaterHuman Right to WaterWater for LiveWater for LiveWater for CitizensWater for CitizensWaterWater for Developmentfor Development

Human Right to WaterHuman Right to WaterThe right to water has been recognized in a wide The right to water has been recognized in a wide range of international documents, including range of international documents, including treaties, declaration and other standards.treaties, declaration and other standards.Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)Discrimination Against Women (1979)Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)International Covenant on Economic, Social and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Articles 11 and 12 and General Cultural Rights, Articles 11 and 12 and General Comment No. 15 on the right to water in 2002Comment No. 15 on the right to water in 2002

Human Right to WaterHuman Right to WaterGeneral Comment No.15 which interprets Articles General Comment No.15 which interprets Articles

11 and 12 of the ICESCR11 and 12 of the ICESCR

The Human Right to Water The Human Right to Water ““entitles everyone to sufficient, entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable

water for personal and domestic useswater for personal and domestic uses””

Including right to basic sanitation for allIncluding right to basic sanitation for all

Human Right to WaterHuman Right to WaterGeneral Comment No. 15 specifically recognizes:General Comment No. 15 specifically recognizes:

The responsibility of States to ensure that "no The responsibility of States to ensure that "no household should be denied the right to water on household should be denied the right to water on the grounds of their housing and land status" the grounds of their housing and land status"

and and That "deprived urban areas, including informal That "deprived urban areas, including informal human settlements and homeless persons, human settlements and homeless persons, should have access to properly maintained water should have access to properly maintained water facilities"facilities"

Human Right to WaterHuman Right to Water145 Countries have ratified the International 145 Countries have ratified the International convention on Economic, Social and Cultural convention on Economic, Social and Cultural RightsRights

ButButThe ratification does not imply any legal obligation The ratification does not imply any legal obligation for governments to implement its provisions.for governments to implement its provisions.Need to explicitly include the right to water in Need to explicitly include the right to water in national legislation as Uruguay, South Africa, national legislation as Uruguay, South Africa, France, The Netherlands, United KingdomFrance, The Netherlands, United Kingdom……Need implementation plan at country level and Need implementation plan at country level and also at international level (UNDP 2006 report).also at international level (UNDP 2006 report).

Water for LifeWater for Life

Water for life Water for life concerns providing water for the concerns providing water for the survival of both human beings (individual and survival of both human beings (individual and collective) and other living beings.collective) and other living beings.This must be recognised as the highest priority in This must be recognised as the highest priority in order to guarantee the sustainability of order to guarantee the sustainability of ecosystems so that access for all to a minimum ecosystems so that access for all to a minimum quantity of good quality water is recognised as quantity of good quality water is recognised as one of the human rights.one of the human rights.

Water for CitizensWater for Citizens

Water for citizensWater for citizens concerns providing water for concerns providing water for general interest purposes, with regard to public general interest purposes, with regard to public health or the promotion of values of equity or health or the promotion of values of equity or social cohesion, in connection with citizenssocial cohesion, in connection with citizens’’ social social rights and in the general interest of society as a rights and in the general interest of society as a whole.whole.This is the role of public institutions.This is the role of public institutions.

Water for Development Water for Development

Water for developmentWater for development is an economic function is an economic function relating to production activities like irrigation for relating to production activities like irrigation for agriculture, hydroelectricity, or industry. agriculture, hydroelectricity, or industry. This function consumes the largest part of all This function consumes the largest part of all water resources from rivers and aquifers, water resources from rivers and aquifers, responsible for the problems of scarcity and responsible for the problems of scarcity and pollution. pollution. This productionThis production--based demand must be managed based demand must be managed in accordance with economic efficiency, social in accordance with economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability.equity and environmental sustainability.

Water Security and International Water Security and International WatercoursesWatercourses

International WatercoursesInternational Watercourses

Almost 263 of the worldAlmost 263 of the world’’s basins are shared by more s basins are shared by more than two states.than two states.These basins make up 47% of the EarthThese basins make up 47% of the Earth40% of the world40% of the world’’s population lives in an s population lives in an international basininternational basinLack of political will to share water and cooperate Lack of political will to share water and cooperate over its management over its management -- few adequate, integrated few adequate, integrated basin agreementsbasin agreementsWeakness of international water lawWeakness of international water law

International WatercoursesInternational Watercourses157 treaties already signed157 treaties already signed40 disputes involved true violence and 30 in Middle 40 disputes involved true violence and 30 in Middle EastEastRisks of true water conflicts and warsRisks of true water conflicts and warsDriving forces: Poverty, instability, food security and Driving forces: Poverty, instability, food security and Climate ChangeClimate ChangeNeed an international legal Instrument that Need an international legal Instrument that promotes: cooperation, peaceful relations and promotes: cooperation, peaceful relations and prevents, or peacefully resolves, water conflicts, prevents, or peacefully resolves, water conflicts, which ultimately ensures a relative protection of the which ultimately ensures a relative protection of the resource.resource.

International WatercoursesInternational Watercourses

United Nations Convention on the Law of the NonUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Non--Navigational Uses of International Watercourses Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997)(1997)

Ratified by 15 countries (Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Ratified by 15 countries (Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Syria)Lebanon, Libya, Syria)Need 35 to enter into forceNeed 35 to enter into forceInternational Campaign to promote its ratification International Campaign to promote its ratification before the World Water Forum of Istanbul (March before the World Water Forum of Istanbul (March 2009)2009)

International Framework International Framework Convention for WaterConvention for Water

Why ?Why ?

2.4 billion people lack water sanitation services2.4 billion people lack water sanitation services1.1 billion people still do not have access to potable 1.1 billion people still do not have access to potable waterwaterFive million people in the world die every year from Five million people in the world die every year from preventable water related diseasespreventable water related diseasesMDGsMDGs wonwon’’t be respected in 2015t be respected in 2015Threats of Water warsThreats of Water wars

Why ?Why ?

Tools like IWRM are difficult to implementTools like IWRM are difficult to implementGroundwaterGroundwater’’s safety often forgottens safety often forgottenNot enough coordination between Stakeholders, UN Not enough coordination between Stakeholders, UN agencies, professionals, Statesagencies, professionals, States……Water is not the priority of States in insecure worldWater is not the priority of States in insecure worldWeakness of International LawWeakness of International Law

Water and Air are two fluids of life and both Water and Air are two fluids of life and both deserve deserve

an International Conventionan International Convention

Ten Fundamental PrinciplesTen Fundamental Principles1.1. Principle of National Sovereignty over WaterPrinciple of National Sovereignty over Water2.2. The Human Right to Water The Human Right to Water 3.3. The Right to Sufficient Quantity of Water The Right to Sufficient Quantity of Water 4.4. The Right to Clean Water The Right to Clean Water 5.5. Principles of Sustainability and PrecautionPrinciples of Sustainability and Precaution6.6. Principles of Equity and Differentiation Principles of Equity and Differentiation 7.7. Principle of ResponsibilityPrinciple of Responsibility8.8. Principles of Participation and Transparency Principles of Participation and Transparency 9.9. Financing the Water Sector Financing the Water Sector 10.10.Right to Water in the event of Armed ConflictsRight to Water in the event of Armed Conflicts

Jordan RiverJordan RiverPopulation 15 million and in 2050 close to 34 millionPopulation 15 million and in 2050 close to 34 millionEconomic growth means Water Demand growthEconomic growth means Water Demand growthRenewable Freshwater (rivers and aquifers) 2,700 Renewable Freshwater (rivers and aquifers) 2,700 MmMm33/y /y Yet Scarcity and shortage in the RegionYet Scarcity and shortage in the RegionDestruction of Environment (Jordan River and Dead Destruction of Environment (Jordan River and Dead Sea)Sea)Need a Regional Vision at medium and long termNeed a Regional Vision at medium and long termContribute to define priorities (Human right to WaterContribute to define priorities (Human right to Watervsvs non sustainable Agriculture)non sustainable Agriculture)Package of SolutionsPackage of Solutions

Package of SolutionsPackage of SolutionsBalance between Demand and SupplyBalance between Demand and Supply

Improved agricultural efficiency (more crops per drop)Improved agricultural efficiency (more crops per drop)Improved water efficiency (more jobs per drop)Improved water efficiency (more jobs per drop)Better distribution to reduce lossesBetter distribution to reduce lossesLegal commitment for Equity and RightsLegal commitment for Equity and RightsNew water supplies (reNew water supplies (re--use, recycling, rainwater)use, recycling, rainwater)Desalination for drinking water in emergency Desalination for drinking water in emergency situationssituationsRed SeaRed Sea-- Dead Sea Canal Feasibility studyDead Sea Canal Feasibility studyStop subsidising water, but social measures Stop subsidising water, but social measures Information sharing and public awarenessInformation sharing and public awareness

ConclusionsConclusionsMiddle East: Laboratory of Innovations Middle East: Laboratory of Innovations Conceptual Shift on Water and DevelopmentConceptual Shift on Water and DevelopmentPlace human being in the Heart of discussionPlace human being in the Heart of discussionRegional Vision Regional Vision Keep Nature in the LoopKeep Nature in the Loop

Without Peace and Security Without Peace and Security no Sustainable Futureno Sustainable Future

GCI LogoGCI Logo

Capacity Building and Training on Environmental Planning and Management

UNESCO-Cairo Office

Palestinian Water Authority Al AzharUniversity

House of Water and Environment

Green Cross International

Flemish Governmentof Belgium

UNESCO-Cairo Office

German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ)

Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean(GWP-Med)

United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP)

State Hydraulic Works

DSI

ORGANISED BY:ORGANISED BY:

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN PALESTINEAND MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN PALESTINE

InterContinental Hotel, Amman – Jordan27-29 August 2007