Thematic Paper 4

The project is designed to raise awareness of the importance of groundwater resources for many regions of the world, and identify and promote best practices in groundwater governance as a way to achieve the sustainable management of groundwater resources. The first phase of the project consists of a review of the global situation of groundwater governance and aims to develop of a Global Groundwater Diagnostic that integrates regional and country experiences with prospects for the future. This first phase builds on a series of case studies, thematic papers and five regional consultations. Twelve thematic papers have thus been prepared to synthesize the current knowledge and experience concerning key economic, policy, institutional, environmental and technical aspects of groundwater management, and address emerging issues and innovative approaches. The 12 thematic papers are listed below and are available on the project website along with a Synthesis Report on Groundwater Governance that compiles the results of the case studies and the thematic papers. The second phase of the project will develop the main project outcome, a Global Framework for Action consisting of a set of policy and institutional guidelines, recommendations and best practices designed to improve groundwater management at country/local level, and groundwater governance at local, national and transboundary levels. Thematic Papers No.1- Trends in groundwater pollution; trends in loss of groundwater quality and related aquifers services No.2- Conjunctive use and management of groundwater and surface water No.3- Urban-rural tensions; opportunities for co-management No.4- Management of recharge / discharge processes and aquifer equilibrium state