of transboundary rivers, lakes and

groundwaters

SECOND ASSESSMENT

Mr Ville NiinistöMinister of the Environment

Finland

General• The most comprehensive, up-to-date

overview of the transboundary waters in the European and Asian parts of the UNECE region:– more than 140 rivers,– 25 lakes, – about 200 groundwaters and – 25 Ramsar Sites and other wetlands of

transboundary importance

Main transboundary surface waters and groundwaters in Western, Central and Eastern Europe

Main transboundary surface waters and groundwaters in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia

General (cont’d)• Covers pressure factors on

transboundary waters, their quantity and quality status, and transboundary impacts, as well as responses and future trends

• More emphasis compared to the 1st assessment on:– Groundwaters– Institutional issues– Climate change impacts– Biodiversity and ecosystems

Common issues in the whole ECE region • Uneven level of transboundary

cooperation and related deficiences

• Policy integration still weak • Agriculture (diffuse pollution,

water use)• Hydromorphological changes• Climate change

Video 2

Further efforts needed• Stronger water and environmental

governance and integration of sectoral policies

• Stronger transboundary water cooperation, both in the EU and in the rest of the region; even truer for transboundary groundwaters.

• South-Eastern Europe and Eastern Europe, but also the Caucasus: the approximation to EU legislation is important and should be continued.

• Address gaps in knowledge • Climate change: more comprehensive and

collaborative research on impacts and adaptation, development of adaptation strategies and measures

Future of transboundary water

assessments• The third comprehensive assessment

only in 8-10 years• A special edition within 4 years with a

more limited scope and coverage: focus on a specific theme, assessment limited to a representative number of basins

• Options to be discussed and decision to be taken by the 6th MoP of the Water Convention

• Partnerships sought

Welcome to the side event on the 2nd

assessment Thursday, 22 September 2011

13.00- 15.00Room А7, Palace of Independence

For more information and for downloading the publication and the Executive Summary, please

refer tohttp://live.unece.org/env/water/assessment_activ.html

Many thanks to the following partners for their generous contribution to the Second

Assessment