GEO-6 Regional Asssement for West Asia
Shared water remains a sensitive topic in West Asia and data sharing between riparian countries is very limited. As a result, there is no common understanding of the state and development of water availability, use and trends. On a national level, data is often lacking, incomplete or inaccessible, particularly when it comes to water use, which is rarely measured. Regionally, data from different countries can be contradictory, often because there are no unified standards for measuring hydrological changes. The fact that cooperation between riparian countries is limited further impedes the development of a common vision on shared water resource management. Existing bilateral agreements centre on water allocation, with an emphasis on infrastructure development and use. Water quality is not addressed in these agreements. While there are no river basin associations in place, bilateral cooperation over surface water does take place through technical committees and local projects.
11. Demand –side management of water
One of the most important tools for integrated and sustainable management of scarce water resources in the region is through demand-side management. This could be done in many ways such as improving farm water management, which could have the greatest impact on irrigation water use. However, it is a complex matter and also involves social, economic, legal, organizational, technical and policy issues. At present, although water is an extremely valuable and vital resource, it is generally supplied for free or at a very low and highly subsidized price. Cost recovery and water pricing policy could help to improve and increase water-use efficiency and ensure better investment in water-sector projects. New innovative technologies could also help to improve the efficiency of water use and increase the productivity of both water and food sectors. Many technologies are available such as precision irrigation, trickle and sprinkler systems, laser levelling and hydroponic agriculture. All could contribute to substantial improvement in water application and distribution efficiency in the agricultural sector.
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12. Water transfers and investment
The development and management of the water sector is largely funded by government budgets, which in turn are influenced by the magnitude of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Annual budget allocation to the water sector varies across the region, with higher allocation rates in the GCC countries; while some countries, mostly in the Mashriq, depend on Arab and international lending institutions to finance their water supply and sanitation sector. Achievements vary between countries based on their policies and priorities among the various sectors, namely water supply and sanitation coverage, increases in food production, allocation of sufficient funds to invest in infrastructure, and the provision of financial support to increase agricultural and industrial productivity. Water transfers between water basins or across national borders have been studied and discussed in the region over the last two decades, one example being the agreement between Iran and Kuwait to transfer water through a marine pipeline across the Gulf. The studies done on this project indicate that it is more feasible than desalinating Gulf water, but, due to geopolitical and technical issues, this agreement was never implemented (Dawoud 2011).
13. Marine Invasive species
The number of invasive species found in the Mediterranean is about 1 000, including molluscs, fishes, benthic plants and crustaceans (UNEP-MAP RAC/SPA 2010). About eight species of the coastal rocky fish community in Lebanon are considered Red Sea migrants (Harmelin-Vivien et al. 2005). Four Lessepsian fish species have been reported in Syrian coastal waters (Hassan and Ahmed 2012). At least 12 species of jellyfish have invaded the Mediterranean, some of which have significant impacts on fishing and other industries (Brotz and Pauly 2012).
Biodiversity in Syria
With a total land area of 185 000 square kilometres, Syria is considered one of the most biodiverse Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean climate and various
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