Transboundary Groundwater Cooperation

Scheme of a transboundary aquifer Source: UNESCO, ISARM, 2001

The principle of managing water within hydrological (basin) boundaries is one of the pillars of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). International development cooperation in the water sector is therefore increasingly supporting transboundary cooperation mechanisms. The focus so far was on rivers and lakes as their transboundary nature is obvious. But also groundwater is existing and moving underneath administrative borders from one country to another depending on natural conditions like geological structure, hydraulic gradient and porosity of the underground.

The project supports the integration of groundwater into transboundary cooperation mechanisms. We therefore start dialogue processes with partners from respective basins and international organisations. The regional focus is on Africa and the Middle East.