Water projects 'need more research'

Water experts say the Global Environment Facility should put more money into basic research and monitoring, not just management.

International water development projects are suffering because not enough money is being spent on basic scientific research and monitoring, a group of water experts has said.

This accusation — made specifically about projects supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an independent organisation that helps developing countries fund environmental protection projects — was made during World Water Week (13–17 August).

The GEF's funds come from donor countries, which in 2006 pledged US$3.13 billion to fund operations over the next four years.