Crucial issues for the sustainability of coastal areas worldwide discussed among experts and country representatives.

UNESCO-IHP organized its third of a series meeting in the framework of the IW:LEARN Project, in cooperation with relevant partners, on 6 and 7 May 2014  in Athens. It brought together project managers and practitioners from relevant GEF International Waters (IW) projects, including MedPartnership, country representatives, and experts on groundwater and coastal management, who exchanged knowledge on issues crucial for the sustainability of coastal areas worldwide.

The meeting aimed to review possibilities and opportunities for IWRM/ICAM integration, promote recognition of the role of coastal aquifers in protecting and preserving coastal and marine ecosystems, introduce a new approach to environmental sustainability in coastal areas. All this with a focus on discussing opportunities and capacity building needs as well as contributing to enriching the global dialogue and awareness raising campaigns.

Aquifer management in coastal zones focuses on reaching a balance between protecting ecosystem services and sustaining the often aggressive socio-economic development of the coastal zone.

Coastal ecosystems are among the most productive, threatened and complex ecosystems in the world. Over-exploitation of coastal aquifers can result in saline water intrusion. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is occurring in a majority of the world’s populated coastal areas. Furthermore, the progressive loss of freshwater in coastal aquifers is further aggravated by climate change and sea level rise. This is a global-scale problem that is endangering development in many highly-populated coastal regions.