TWAP GroundwaterThe Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP) is a two years project. The main objective is to produce the first global assessment of all transboundary water, including Transboundary Aquifers and groundwater component of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
UNESCO-IHP has been entrusted with the TWAP global assessment of transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) groundwater systems. A total of 166 transboundary aquifers and 43 SIDS will be covered by the assessment.
Based on the methodology developed during the TWAP MSP project the assessment aims at assigning indicator values for each national segment of the identified TBAs and for the SIDS. Ten core indicators, encompassing the hydrogeological, environmental, socio-economic and governance dimensions of the systems have been identified. These will also allow for easy comparison between the different TBAs and SIDS. For 4 out of the 10 core indicators projections will be developed for the years 2030 and 2050 such that emerging issues can be assessed.
The assessment of TBAs and SIDS while using a common methodology is regionally based, i.e. will be executed at the regional level. This regional approach allows for better capture of existing knowledge and expertise, and will create partnerships with regional organizations and networks, that will be the cornerstones of the TWAP Groundwater execution arrangements.
The assessment strives to involve directly all countries sharing aquifers. Country involvement is considered an essential element of the TBA methodology, given the need to improve data availability, and to achieve mutual recognition of their shared nature.