Regional and National efforts

Regional IAEA assistance

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently actively cooperating with countries in the NSAS region to address water resource management issues through multi-country projects. It is a cooperating partner and co-funder in the UNEP/OSS/GEF ‘Iullemeden Aquifer Project’ and UNEP/OSS/GEF ‘Northern Sahara Aquifer Project’. It is also providing technical assistance to Nile Basin countries to develop a more accurate, complete water balance there.

Since March 2003, the IAEA has also been funding and working with Egypt, Libya and Sudan on a regional project entitled ‘Towards a Sustainable Development of the Nubian Aquifer’. With five goals, its first goal is to expand and consolidate the technical and scientific knowledge base regarding the aquifer system including the development of an appropriate model using isotope techniques. Its second is to develop and strengthen a joint Nubian Aquifer Management Framework to guide water use and build international cooperation. Its third and fourth are to develop links and networks between international and national organizations as well as a public participation and communication plan. Finally, it also seeks to explain past damages to ecosystems and design ways to prevent further future damage.

The regional project, and other IAEA efforts at the national level, helped to improve overall understanding of the NSAS and to set the basis for the much broader current ‘Nubian Project’.