Joint management of surface and groundwater in a climate change context: the OSS experience at the service of Africa

The OSS Executive Secretary, Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, takes part in the 3rd International Conference on Water and Climate (CIEC3) which is taking place in Fez (Morocco) on July 6-7, 2023. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Equipment and Water of the Kingdom of Morocco, the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) and the World Water Council (WWC), this conference aims to share experiences in surface and groundwater management in a climate change context, and to prepare the next World Water Forum (Bali, May 2024) linking the United Nations Water Conference (New York, March 2023) and COP28 on climate (Dubai, November-December 2023).

During his speech, Mr. Ben Khatra highlighted the 30-year old OSS expertise in supporting African countries in the integrated and coordinated management of shared groundwater in connection with surface waters. He put the stress on the importance of this strategic resource in the economic and social development of the continent and in meeting the water needs of the populations and underlined the existence of nearly 83 transboundary aquifer systems in Africa reminding that only ten of them are documented.

Mr. Ben Khatra insisted on the need to develop and put in place tools and methods as well as mechanisms for the integrated and inclusive management of this resource to truly implement good governance principles such as equity, the right of access to water and transparency.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the OSS, ANBO Vice-Chair since 2022, to walk with and support African countries in adapting to climate change, in particular making sure water resources are effectively managed in the transboundary basins for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.