Conclusions of the International Roundtable on Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in Southeastern Europe, 14-16 Nov 2007, Slovenia

The International Roundtable on “Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in Southeastern Europe” took place in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, 14-16 November 2007. It was jointly organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med), and supported by GEF IW:LEARN.

The Roundtable is part of the activities within the Petersberg Process Phase II / Athens Declaration Process, and GEF IW:LEARN Activity D2. The activity contribute to the works of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI) as well as to the new GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystems.

The International Roundtable aimed to promote cooperation for sustainable utilization, management and protection of shared groundwater resources in Southeastern Europe (SEE). Among others, linkages to the management of connected river basins, coastal areas and ecosystems as well as contribution of groundwater to economic development were addressed. The meeting built on related ongoing work in the region carried out by international organizations such as GEF, UNECE and UNESCO IHP.

Among the objectives of the International Roundtable was to:

    * Identify the most significant problems, pressing needs and challenges for the SEE region relating to groundwater resources management;
    * Promote recognition and awareness of the socio-economic and environmental values of shared aquifers as well as the need for integrating shared groundwater management with river basin management;
    * Exchange information and communicate good practices and success stories in different aspects of shared groundwater resources management;
    * Identify key areas of action where the involvement of Petersberg Process Phase II / Athens Declaration Process, would result in the enhancement of synergies with on-going and planned activities in the region;
    * Identify key steps needed to advance a strategy and action programme for the management of shared groundwater in the SEE region;
    * Facilitate the establishment of a peer network between persons working in the shared groundwater management area.

A study visit at the Karst Research Institute in Postojna as well as the entrance of Planina Cavewas was organized on the occasion of the International Roundtable, on 12 November 2006, providing the opportunity to share experiences on field issues.