About the Nubian Project

Nubian Aquifer, Nubian Project

The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) is the world’s largest ‘fossil’ water aquifer system meaning that the water is a very, very old one. Lying beneath the four African countries of Chad, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahariya (Libya), and Sudan, it covers some two million sq km. Groundwater has been identified as the biggest future source of water to meet growing demands and development goals in each country. But can the NSAS meet such demand? Over-abstraction has already started, at times leading to desertification. Other major human pressures include agricultural irrigation and climate change.

For many years, the IAEA has been working with NSAS countries through national, and regional projects to try and understand the complexities of the aquifer. However, there remains a gap in understanding how the NSAS works. Improving the information base is thus the key first step. In response, the ‘IAEA/UNDP/GEF Nubian Project’ is ground-breaking, cutting-edge and challenging. Most likely, it’s also a new frontier for the world. Project partners include UNDP/GEF, IAEA, UNESCO and the four NSAS countries. Its long-term goal is to establish a rational and equitable management of the NSAS for sustainable socio-economic development and the protection of biodiversity and land resources.

Nubian News

Project Steering Committee meeting successfully held last December!

The first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting in the frame of the Joint IAEA/UNDP/GEF NSAS Project was held in Cairo, Egypt from 16-18 December 2007. Members of the PSC met with representatives of the Joint Authority (JA), UNESCO, UNDP and the IAEA. Project achievements, financial and budgetary matters and next activities planned were presented. One crucial aspect of the meeting was the discussions and dialogue held regarding the legal and institutional framework that the project aims to achieve under Project Component 3. It was emphasized that work with CEDARE and the JA is necessary to advance in the project objectives.

Various aspects of the NSAS Project were discussed and decisions were made with consensus, including: 1.) The Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and financial balance were endorsed. 2.)The project database should be hosted at the JA headquarters. 3.) Further discussions on Project Component 3 (on the legal and institutional framework) are needed and will take place during the next JA meeting.At the end of the meeting, participants thanked the hosting countries, the JA members of the board, the Project Manager, UNDP/GEF and the IAEA for their contribution and for the fruitful discussions.

Project Manager for the Nubian Aquifer Shared Aquifer Begins his New Assignment

On August 1st, Dr. Ahmed Ragab Allam joined the NSAS Project as its new Project Manager, after completion of the selection and recruitment process. He is an expert on water resources management with 17 years of experience in the field. He has been working on groundwater issues since the beginning of his professional career. His previous work experience include the Egyptian Water Resources & Irrigation Mission in Uganda and Sudan, IWACO Egypt, groundwater sector, Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Groundwater Research Institute. He holds a PhD and a Master of Science in Water Resources Management in Civil Engineering. He has experience in facilitating cooperation with international waters, having worked in Uganda and Sudan as well as in activities related to Nile River Basin cooperation.