Shared by Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, the North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) is North Africa’s largest groundwater reserve, supporting the lives and livelihoods of 4.8 million inhabitants. A vital water resource extending over 1 million square kilometres in a highly arid environment, the aquifer system is naturally vulnerable due its low natural recharge. Fragile ecosystems, such as wetlands, are consequently under threat and local populations are exposed to significant vulnerability.

A report launched by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) underlines the urgency of taking action across borders and sectors to address the threats leading to the degradation of the aquifer system.  Worldwide, transboundary groundwater resources are commonly not covered by formal cooperation arrangements, yet they constitute important sources of water for drinking and other uses, are susceptible to pollution, complex to investigate and commonly inadequately understood.

Focusing on the interlinkages between energy, water, land and ecosystem resources, the new transboundary “nexus” assessment analyses cross-sectoral dynamics and identifies integrated solutions to render resource management more sustainable and efficient. The assessment was carried out under the Water Convention by UNECE, Global Water Partnership Mediterranean and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.