Your search found 20 records
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049212)
(7.50 MB) (7.50 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049353)
(0.90 MB) (924 KB)
This article explores the ways in which two international water agreements on the Yarmouk tributary to the Jordan River induce or impede transformation to equitable transboundary water arrangements. The agreements in question were reached between Jordan and Syria in 1987, and between Jordan and Israel in 1994. Following a brief review of theory and a summary of the body of knowledge on 'model' agreements, the article combines official river-gauging data with interviews and textual analysis to query the text and role of the agreements, particularly in relation to key dams and other infrastructure. Both agreements are found to i) lack important clauses that could govern groundwater abstraction, environmental concerns, water quality, and the ability to adapt to changing water quality, availability and need; and ii) include both ambiguous and rigid clauses that result in generally inequitable allocation of water and thus of the benefits derived from its use. Due to their omissions and to their reflection of the asymmetries in power between the states, both agreements are found to be 'blind' to existing use, to be incapable of dealing with urgent governance needs, and to impede more equitable arrangements.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049354)
(2.09 MB) (2.09 MB)
This article explores the ways in which key components of infrastructure built on the Yarmouk tributary to the Jordan River induce or impede the transformation of existing transboundary water arrangements. Focussing on the Jordanian-Israeli Adassiyeh Weir and on the Jordanian-Syrian Wehdeh Dam, the article interprets archival documents, official river-gauging data, and interviews through a frame that highlights depoliticisation by hydrocracies within the politics of international infrastructure. The weir is found to be operated in a manner that prioritises Jordan's commitment to Israel when flows are low, and to be designed to bound the volume that Jordan can make use of during low or very high flows. The dam appears oversized but regulates the flow to the downstream weir when its reservoir does not lie empty. The design and operation of the infrastructure is found to partially and selectively depoliticise contentious transboundary water issues in a manner that privileges the more powerful actors. Transformation of the arrangements is impeded as the distribution and use of the flows is not questioned by the water authorities or the international diplomatic community, and alternative arrangements are not considered.
4 Borgomeo, Edoardo; Santos, N. 2019. Towards a new generation of policies and investments in agricultural water in the Arab region: fertile ground for innovation. Background paper prepared for the high level meeting on agricultural water policies and investments. Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 124p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049659)
(2.64 MB) (2.64 MB)
The Arab region needs a new generation of policies and investments in agricultural water. Agricultural water management has always posed challenges and opportunities in the Arab world. However, unprecedented and accelerating drivers such as climate change, population growth, and land degradation make agricultural water management a more urgent priority than ever before. In addition, as part of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, Arab countries have committed to work towards an ambitious set of development targets, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unless the right policies and investments are put in place, it will be difficult to achieve the SDGs, including ending hunger and providing clean water and sanitation for all.
This paper is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute to foster dialogue on agricultural water policies and investments in the context of the FAO led Regional Water Scarcity initiative. The purpose of the paper is to frame the key challenges and opportunities in the sector – including emerging innovations in digital agriculture, water accounting, water supply and wastewater reuse – and to lay out broad strategic directions for action.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049973)
(0.47 MB) (476 KB)
Global climate models (GCMs) are developed to simulate past climate and produce projections of climate in future. Their roles in ascertaining regional issues and possible solutions in water resources planning/management are appreciated across the world. However, there is substantial uncertainty in the future projections of GCM(s) for practical and regional implementation which has attracted criticism by the water resources planners. The present paper aims at reviewing the selection of GCMs and focusing on performance indicators, ranking of GCMs and ensembling of GCMs and covering different geographical regions. In addition, this paper also proposes future research directions.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050271)
(0.50 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H050696)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050894)
(0.56 MB) (568 KB)
A new evolution in graph modeling for conflict resolution (GMCR), a robust methodology for conflict resolution, is presented in this research to incorporate the systems thinking concept into the conventional paradigm of GMCR so that the dynamic nature of water–environmental conflicts can be modeled, and better outcomes obtained. To achieve this objective, a methodology is developed in three phases: static, dynamic, and outcome-based analyses. To develop the methodology, the Tigris–Euphrates basin conflict in the Middle East over the past 30 years, as a real-life case study, is used to show the robustness and capabilities of the proposed approach. Finally, a sustainable resolution to the current conflict is proposed, and the results are discussed. The proposed methodology benefits from improving the existing and often static-based conflict resolution developments by considering the dynamic nature so that the true root causes of complex conflicts are addressed, better strategic insights achieved, and comprehensive resolution provided.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051502)
(5.76 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051736)
(200 KB)
11 Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Orabi, Mohamed O. M. 2022. Wastewater production, treatment and reuse in MENA: untapped opportunities?. In Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Al-Hamdi, M.; AbuZeid, K. (Eds.). Water reuse in the Middle East and North Africa: a sourcebook. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.15-42.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051737)
(887 KB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051814)
(2.10 MB) (2.10 MB)
This study developed the SEWAGE-TRACK model for disaggregating lumped national wastewater generation estimates using population datasets and quantifying rural and urban wastewater generation and fate. The model allocates wastewater into riparian, coastal, and inland components and summarizes the fate of wastewater into productive (direct and indirect reuse) and unproductive components for 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As per the national estimates, 18.4 km3 of municipal wastewater generated in 2015, was disaggregated over the MENA region. Results from this study revealed urban and rural areas to contribute to 79 % and 21 % of municipal wastewater generation respectively. Within the rural context, inland areas generated 61 % of the total wastewater. The riparian and coastal regions produced 27 % and 12 %, respectively. Within the urban settings, riparian areas produced 48 %, while inland and coastal regions generated 34 % and 18 % of the total wastewater, respectively. Results indicate that 46 % of the wastewater is productively used (direct reuse and indirect use), while 54 % is lost unproductively. Of the total wastewater generated, the most direct use was observed in the coastal areas (7 %), the most indirect reuse in the riparian regions (31 %), and the most unproductive losses in inland areas (27 %). The potential of unproductive wastewater as a non-conventional freshwater source was also analyzed. Our results indicate that wastewater is an excellent alternative water source and has high potential to reduce pressure on non-renewable sources for some countries in the MENA region. The motivation of this study is to disaggregate wastewater generation and track wastewater fate using a simple but robust approach that is portable, scalable and repeatable. Similar analysis can be done for other regions to produce information on disaggregated wastewater and its fate. Such information is highly critical for efficient wastewater resource management.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051838)
(5.90 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051875)
(0.35 MB) (360 KB)
To what extent do domestic institutions affect the solution of collective action problems in international waters? Dwindling water resources and dire climate change projections make the determination of water rights in international rivers a major source of contention among states. If the states cooperate based on integrated water resource management principles, they could achieve social equity, economic efficiency, and sustainability. Yet, many international rivers remain subject to unilateral exploitation. This paper explores the role of domestic institutions in facilitating the emergence of international water rights. Adopting a political economy approach, it presents a case study analysis of the dispute over the Euphrates and explores the complex interaction of governing institutions in achieving efficient water management. I argue that the solution to the collective action dilemma in water rights is the creation of property rights institutions, which requires high levels of trust and reciprocity among highly motivated actors, who are accountable to their people.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052131)
(0.61 MB) (620 KB)
Data and information exchange are vital for long-term transboundary water cooperation. However, many transboundary river basins lack regular data exchange between riparian States. In many cases, this is simply a feature of the generally fragmented nature of transboundary water cooperation; in others, transboundary river basin data sharing may be withheld for geopolitical reasons. The Tigris-Euphrates and Indus river basins are among the most highly politicized river basins globally. Cooperation between riparians is complicated by a lack of certainty regarding data, information exchange and legal obligations, as upper riparians in both basins have persistently objected to the customary law of international watercourses. With reference to international water law, this article ascertains the level of data and information exchange in these two basins, both through formal and informal structures, as well as prevalent obstacles and the institutional and technological responses to them. Despite significant challenges, the authors argue that technological advances can stimulate enhanced riparian cooperation.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052197)
(0.98 MB) (0.98 MB)
While academics have argued that most interactions between states over shared water resources demonstrate a tendency for cooperation rather than conflict, they have also identified treaties and agreements as the best examples of continued cooperation. However, treaties and agreements may also be a cause for conflict, especially when they are deemed to be unfair and unjust. Moreover, increasing burdens from climate change such as changing climate patterns and higher variability in precipitation combined with changing water demand from population growth and economic development generate a pressure to reform existing treaties and agreements. This article, adopting initial steps of comparative historical analysis, investigates the role of the political context in driving amendments and replacements in transboundary freshwater agreements.
17 Al-Zu’bi, Maha; Daher, B.; Brouziyne, Youssef; Laamrani, H.; Melhem, D.; Greatrix, Emma; Ruckstuhl, Sandra; McCartney, Matthew; Anarbekov, Oyture; Sanchez Ramirez, Juan Carlos; Nicol, Alan. 2023. Building resilience in fragile and conflict-affected agrifood systems through a water-energy-food nexus approach. Cairo, Egypt: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa. 8p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052309)
(3.57 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052507)
(4.76 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052538)
(1.28 MB) (1.28 MB)
The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a concept and approach to examine the interactions of water, energy, and food resources. Similarly, compound risks are a set of risk types that consider multiple connected factors that amplify risks. While both concepts are promoted as approaches to move beyond silos and address complex problems in environmental governance, there has been limited exploration of their overlap. Our study integrates these two approaches for more holistic assessment and management of resources in the context of climate risks. We examine the connections between the WEF nexus and compound risk in two ways. First, we review the literature to identify previous conceptual connections between the WEF nexus and compound risks. Second, we review seven case studies with WEF nexus interactions and compound risks to identify how the two approaches might be considered in practice. Our results demonstrate that there is limited, though not non-existent, integration of the two concepts in both the theoretical literature and in the case studies. The four of the seven cases that do show some level of connection in practice demonstrate opportunities for greater integration in the future, such as leveraging the water sector as a bridge to address WEF nexus and compound risk challenges together.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052726)
(7.67 MB) (7.67 MB)
Transboundary water decision-making takes place in a power-loaded environment. Apart from conflicts or cooperation-based outcomes, partial or complete status quo is also possible outcome in transboundary water interactions. Literature in the last two decades has primarily focused on conflicts and/or cooperation only, with a limited understanding of the status quo and its various forms. Drawing from the work of Bacharach and Baratz and other power scholars from sociology, international relations, and public policy, this article presents tactics for non-decision making and non-action, leading to a status quo. Specifically, we address the question: how can non-decision making and non-action shape the status quo in transboundary waters? Conceptually, based on various strands of literature, we develop a typology of status quo comprised of (1) renunciation; (2) abstention; (3) non-participation; and (4) non-action and showing that the status quo is a significant intermediary (at times temporally extended) outcome in transboundary water interaction. Like conflicts and cooperation, we posit that the status quo is often purposefully maintained due to the political, social, cultural, economic, and biophysical aspects of the river basins. We illustrate this by the example of three transboundary river basins: Brahmaputra, Maritsa, and Euphrates-Tigris. Our empirical analysis also identified an additional type of status quo, ‘non-significant deliberation’ in a multi-track diplomacy setting. This tactic refers to not purposefully allowing informal negotiations to transform or influence the highest level of political deliberation (i.e., track-1 diplomacy).
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