Multi-County Cooperation Around Shared Waters: Role of Monitoring and Evaluation
Publisher: Global Environmental Change
Author(s): Juha I. Uitto
Date: 2004
Topics: Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Programming, Renewable Resources
Sustainable development of freshwater resources shared by two or more countries and reducing the risk of conflict between the riparians requires the development of effective international governance systems. While global and regional conventions and agreements can provide the framework for such governance, they alone are not sufficient. It is important for the countries to agree on a common vision and to develop a strategic action program to address the key threats to the transboundary water environment. Drawing from the experiences drawn from the global environment facility international waters programs and projects, the article highlights the need to implement actions to relieve stresses on the environment. The article focuses on the pivotal role of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring effective implementation of the agreed actions; in providing accountability in resource use; in focusing on the results and impacts of programs and projects; and in learning and disseminating lessons that can lead to improvement and replication of future interventions. The paper finally introduces an indicator framework that is proposed for monitoring and evaluation of GEF-funded international waters projects.