MED EUWI National Policy Dialogue on Integrated Water Resources Management Planning In the Republic of Lebanon

Background

Lebanon faces significant challenges in meeting the country’s water demand on quantity and quality. Integrated Water Resources Management is been acknowledged as central for the sustainable water use, especially as forecasts suggest that Lebanon will encounter conditions of water scarcity by the year 2020 and also due to the fact that the country shares water bodies with its neighboring countries. Unsustainable water management practices, environmental risks and water governance shortcomings are among the key challenges to be met.

In view of tackling water challenges following this new, integrated approach, the Lebanese authorities have already embarked upon a set of undertakings:

 - Updating the 10 year strategic plan, endorsed by the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Parliament, and preparing an integrated Water Sector strategy with a clear vision under the concept of the Law 221, its amendment and the bylaws published in October 2005;

  - Preparing a National Water Master Plan and approving the Water Code;

 - Improving the water sector governance by ensuring that all the necessary tools are put in place;

 - Strengthening the capacities of the MEW and RWAs in order to enable them to carry out the tasks entrusted to them in an efficient and optimal way;

 - Ensuring that Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of the water supply and sanitation services are contracted out to private operators and that the O&M of the small and medium scale irrigation schemes are gradually transferred to Water Users’ Associations;

-Adopting a tariff structure that would be based on costs and volumetric consumption, with respect to social equity principles regarding the disadvantaged population;

-Preparing a short and medium term investment plan for the water sector taking into account the priorities and available funds.

It is in this framework that MED EUWI activities have been planned and are being implemented in Lebanon in cooperation with the MEW-DGHER.

MED EUWI activities in Lebanon

The Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI) constitutes an integral part and one of the geographic Components of the global European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) with Components also in Africa, Central Asia and Latin America. It represents a strategic partnership among all related stakeholders (national, regional and international) in the Mediterranean region, aiming at contributing to the implementation of the water-related Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Summit Targets. MED EUWI implements targeted activities at the Mediterranean and national levels.

MED EUWI is led by the government of Greece with the support of the European Commission. All donor and implementing institutions at the regional and country levels are invited to join the endeavor according to their interest and expertise. The MED EUWI Secretariat within the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean provides technical support and day-by-day running. The Euro-Mediterranean Water Directors Forum, serving as institutional support of the implementation of MED EUWI, provides advice and guidance on the MED EUWI further development and implementation.

Review of the 10 years Strategic Plan for Water

The main objective of the running Phase I of the MED EUWI activities in Lebanon, as endorsed by the Lebanese Government at the highest level in 2007, is to assist the government in reviewing the national 10 year Strategic Plan for Water (2000-2009) and, based on the key reforms needs identified by the Lebanese Government (see above), to launch and advance the process of complementing the Strategy with a National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (to be fully elaborated in a Phase II of MED EUWI activities).

Key elements for reviewing the 10 year Strategic Plan (Plan) for Water include:

Based on these, the main Chapters of the Review Study address the following issues:

1. Assessment and management of water resources, 

    particularly with regard to prospects of climate change

2. Domestic and industrial water needs and management

3. Sanitation needs and management

4. Irrigation needs and management

5. Organisation of institutions and  human resources

6. Capacity strengthening of public institutions in the water sector.

    sector

 A summary report is provided here.

The results of this Review Study have been presented up to now (May 2009) in two Consultation Seminars ie. on 6 February 2009 during the 2^nd Beirut Water Week and on 24 April 2009.

Promoting dialogue and participation in the Lebanese water sector

Another central objective of current MED EUWI activities is to create a platform for dialogue and cooperation among the Lebanese stakeholders that are involved in water resources management. To this respect the formulation and operation of a high level ‘Task Force’ (TF) and an advisory ‘Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MStF)’ for consultation are advancing after invitation by the Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Water.

Further to the two Consultation Seminars organized already, the Dialogue will continue with the organization of facilitated events with the participation of targeted stakeholders.

The 2^nd MED EUWI Consultation Seminar of 24 April 2009

The 2nd Consultation Seminar on the Current Outcomes of MED EUWI Activities in Lebanon & Planning the Future Steps, took place on 24 April 2009, with the participation of around 50 targeted representatives of governmental institutions, agencies, civil society organizations and media.

The 2^nd MED EUWI Consultation Seminar aimed

-to discuss with relevant water stakeholders the outcomes up to now of the MED EUWI activities in Lebanon and

-to plan together the follow-up steps that can constribute to an Integrated Wtaer Resurces Management  Resources Management (IWRM) process in the country, including through the elaboration of National IWRM Plan.

Please find here the Concept Note, Agenda and Presentations made at the Consultation Seminar.

Among others, the draft list of Recommendations towards strengthening the capacities of the Lebanese water sector as these were outlined in the framework of the MED EUWI Review Study of the on-going Strategy, was presented at the Seminar. The draft list of recommendations is not exhaustive and is to a certain extend informed by a first feedback received up to now through the stakeholders consultation.

The full list of the draft recommendations are presented in the Annex of the Concept Note while a grouping was proposed during the presentation made at the Seminar (see material). Further analysis is made at the related Chapter of the Review Study (on Capacity strengthening of public institutions in the water sector).

With the contribution of all participants in the Seminar and, more broadly, through feedback by the stakeholders participating at the MED EUWI Dialogue, we hope to be able to select among the suggested recommendations those that could be further developed in the future with the assistance of MED EUWI and other processes in the country.

As a follow up, we expect to set-up a limited number of Working Groups involving different water stakeholders that will deal with one recommendation (or with a limited number of recommendations that can be grouped under the same heading, e.g. range of recommendations related to institutional settings, irrigation and agronomy). 

Your feedback is needed !

The facilitators of the MED EUWI Dialogue invite the feedback of water stakeholders active in the country in relation to the MED EUWI Review Study and more specifically on its 6 Chapters.

Along with the other Chapters, particular emphasis is suggested on Chapter 6 on Capacity strengthening of public institutions in the water sector.

Therefore, we would be very glad to receive your comments at your earliest convenience and, if possible, not later than the 8^th of June 2009.

Please send your comments to:

Dr. Fadi Comair

General Director of Hydraulic and Electrical Resources

Ministry of Energy and Water

E-mail: gdher@terra.net.lb

and

Ms. Barbara Tomassini

Programme Officer

MED EUWI Secretariat / GWP-Med

  E-mail: barbara@gwpmed.org