UNEP Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA)

 http://www.giwa.net/

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

A region-by-region assessment of water systems

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 

Assessment and Analysis
GIWA concentrates on topics of critical importance to the international community, comprising 22 issues grouped into 5 major areas of concern (freshwater shortages; pollution; habitat and community modification; unsustainable exploitation of fisheries and other living resources, and global change).  It has a broad geographical scope, covering 66 water subregions worldwide, grouped into 9 mega-regions for management purposes.  It adopts a holistic approach, involving political, economic and social considerations as well as environmental concerns.

GIWA aims to produce a fully comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters encompassing the ecological status of and causes of environmental problems of transboundary freshwater basins and their associated coastal and ocean systems. The assessment will be undertaken from the perspectives of: water quality and quantity; associated biodiversity and habitats; their use by society; the societal causes of the regionally identified issues and problems; and scenarios of future conditions based on projections of demographic, economic and social changes associated with the process of human development.

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

The users are Governments and intergovernmental bodies, including GEF. The aim is to develop an intergovernmental consensus on priorities for action.
GIWA will provide the strategic information needed by GEF and other donors for use at the programmatic level through the provision of a framework for: the identification of regional and global priority areas in the area of transboundary shared water bodies, and decision making concerning appropriate management interventions, including identification of more sustainable approaches to the use of water and its associated resources.

Information from the GIWA project will be made available for practical work and for education.  In addition to the electronic availability, reports and analyses will be prepared for wide circulation.

The report will form the basis for future GEF decisions on funding of water projects within GEF's focal area 'International Waters'.

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building

Internet Access

http://www.giwa.net/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Prof. Per Wramner
 Global International Waters Assessment Coordination Office
 Marine Biological Centre
 University of Kalmar
 P.O. Box 905
 SE- 391 29 Kalmar, Sweden
 Telephone: +46- 480 44 73 51
 Fax: +46- 480 44 73 55
 E-mail: per.wramner@giwa.net or  info@giwa.net

Date of preparation: 27 April 1999, updated 15 October 1999

ORGANIZATION:UNEP Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA)