International Roundtable on Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater in Southeastern Europe

In the series of activities within the Petersberg Process Phase II / Athens Declaration Process an International Roundtable on “Integrated Management of Shared Groundwater Resources in Southeastern Europe” will take place in Slovenia, 14-16 November 2007. It is jointly organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and GWPMed, and supported by GEF IW:LEARN.

The International Roundtable aims to promote cooperation for sustainable utilization, management and protection of shared groundwater resources in the SEE region. It will address issues of integrated management of shared groundwater resources. Linkages to the management of connected river basins, coastal areas and ecosystems as well as contribution of groundwater to economic development will be addressed. It would build on related ongoing work in the region carried out by international organizations such as UNECE and UNESCO IHP.

Moreover the International Roundtable aims 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.