The Sahara and Sahel Observatory attends the 10th GEF Biennial-IWC10, September 23-26, 2024, Punta del Este, Uruguay

On the occasion of the 10th biennial Global Environment Facility (GEF) conference, held from September 23 to 26, 2024, in Punta del Este, Uruguay, the OSS organized, in collaboration with UNESCO, a session on the theme "Beyond Borders and Beyond Impacts – Rethinking the Management of Transboundary Aquifers to Increase Benefits."

The International Waters Conference (IWC) is the main learning and exchange event for GEF-funded projects in the “international waters” focal area. The GEF’s international waters focal area has the unique mandate to support transboundary cooperation in shared marine and freshwater ecosystems. It is the world’s largest funding mechanism for multi-country collaboration on freshwater and ocean issues. To date, the GEF has financed over 480 international waters projects, invested about $2.8 billion in grants, and mobilized approximately $8.7 billion in co-financing in over 170 countries around the world.

The OSS-UNESCO session was moderated by Mr. Mohamedou Baba Sy, Director of the Water Department. The event presented and discussed groundwater-related issues and solutions at the local level, demonstrating their importance for water and food security, ecosystem protection, and sustainable resource management. It also addressed how cooperation frameworks can promote best practices in integrated water management, biodiversity conservation, nexus approaches, or climate resilience, while encouraging local solutions based on groundwater resources. The results of the ITTAS project and the prospects of the SMAS project, funded by GEF/UNEP, were presented in this context by Mr. Abdel Kader Dodo, Water Expert and Advisor at the OSS.

In conclusion, the session highlighted the need to rethink our approach to shared water resources, particularly in the context of transboundary aquifers. We explored the importance of cross-border collaboration, innovative management strategies, and the potential to amplify the socio-economic and environmental benefits of these efforts.