Objectives of the Workshop

The overall objective of the project is to assist and support African countries in formulating cooperative arrangements for meeting the challenges of water scarcity and associated problems on regional basis. Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) includes the removal of water from one major surface water drainage system either within same country across political boundaries which is referred to as" transboundary" water transfer or diversion.

The workshop is intended to provide:
1. A forum for an in-depth understanding and perception about inter-basin water transfer
2. Sharing experiences through discussion on the various aspects pertaining to Inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) within the African context.
3. Consolidate the principle of equitable sharing of benefits in IBWT among originating and recipient countries.
4. Clear guidelines to assist Africa Policy Makers in making informed and comprehensive choices from the political, economic, social, environmental and technical perspectives of IBWT.

The workshop will have case studies on IBWT and thematic presentations that would give an insight into problems and prospects that are relevant to the African context. The agenda of the workshop will focus on issues that are pertinent from the perspective of developing countries. It will assess all aspects of water transfer as a viable water management alternative for addressing imbalances in water supply and demand for sustainable development on a regional scale.
These Guidelines will serve to contribute to the elements of the Sirte Declaration of the African Unions Extraordinary Summit on Agriculture and Water in 2004.