TRANSBOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE VOLTA BASIN 8 th WORLD GENERAL ASSEMBLY, INBO, DAKAR, (SENEGAL) 20 23 JANUARY 2010 Dr. Charles BINEY, Ag. Executive Director, Volta Basin Authority, Ouagadougou
TRANSBOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE VOLTA BASIN
With a population of about 20 million, the Volta basin has become of increasing importance in supporting development needs, but.. Country Benin Burkina Faso Cote d Ivoire Ghana Mali Togo % of Basin Area 3.41 42.9 2.48 41.6 3.12 6.41 % of Population 2.56 47.6 2.13 35.8 3.3.5 8.55
TO IMPROVE TRANSBOUNDARY WRM IN THE VOLTA BASIN: Ouagadougou, January 2007 Heads of State sign VBA Convention Ouagadougou, November 2007 Ministers sign Statutes of VBA VBA Convention came into force on 14 August 2009
MANDATE OF VBA 1. Promote permanent consultation tools among the parties for the development of the basin; 2. Promote implementation of IWRM and equitable distribution of the benefits resulting their utilization; 3. Authorize the development of infrastructure and projects planned by the stakeholders, which could have substantial impact on water resources; 4. Develop joint projects and works; 5. Contribute to poverty alleviation, sustainable development in the Volta basin, and for better socioeconomic integration in the sub-region.
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES I Internal Technical Activities VBA Studies- Pre investment (SIDA/IUCN/UNEP) - Strategic Plan 2. Observatory for Water Resources and Related Ecosystems (FFEM/SIDA) 3. Volta HYCOS Project - Transferred to VBA - June 2009 ( 1.2 m Assistance from AWF) 4. Volta Basin IWRM Project (EUWI)
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES II Collaboration with Other Institutions, Projects and Programmes UNEP/GEF Volta River Basin; IUCN/PAGEV; GLOWA Volta; Challenge Program for Water and Food ECOWAS/WRCC OMVS/NBA/ABD/IRD/WMO
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES III Coordination of Projects and Programmes In the Volta basin, several projects and programmes are being implemented: In an independent manner With inadequate exchanges and interactions First Forum for Technical Partners -04-06 March 2009 to: -Initiate process for improving project coordination and integration ; -Accelerate transfer and sharing of knowledge; -Increase use of project results by policy and decision makers
VBA STRATEGIC PLAN Objective to establish a Programming Framework which outlines the key priorities of the VBA and will facilitate the VBA and its partners to better focus their efforts in serving the needs and priorities of the Volta Basin while avoiding duplication of efforts.
Strategic Framework - I Vision: «A basin shared by willing and cooperating partners managing the water resources rationally and sustainably for their comprehensive socio-economic development» Mission: As for mandate
Strategic Framework - II Strategic Objectives for next 5 years: Strengthen policies, legislation and institutional framework; 2. Strengthen knowledge base of the basin; 3. Coordination, planning and management; 4. Communication and capacity building for all stakeholders; 5. Effective and sustainable operations.
Operational Measures Major Priorities for Intervention next 5 years: 1. Improve financial resources fully carry out basic functions; 2. Continue, launch and implement the following fundamental technical activities: Finalize VBA Observatory; Launch and finalize MPDWM; Formulate and implement Communication Plan; Water Charter for the Volta Basin; 3. Establish and coordinate the national focal institutions; 4. Recruit technical and administrative staff; 5. Promote partnerships with the major technical and financial partners
CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES With financial support from German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Centre for Development Research of the University of Bonn and its partners are in the process of establishing a Regional Science Service Center West Africa. The Centre would be sandwiched between Accra and Ouagadougou. Prime partners would be the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, IWMI and VBA. The project hopes to help VBA establish as a Center of Excellence in Climate Change and Sustainable Land and Water Use. A good portion of the funds to sponsor research and educational networks in the 6 riparian countries of the VBA. The project is designed in such a manner to attract the participation of other donor countries and agencies. Initial activities to start in February 2010
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION Web site: www.abv-volta.org