Definition:

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising sustainability of ecosystems (SIWI Manual, 2009).

Dublin Principles (1992):

1. Freshwater is a finite and vulnerable resource — essential to sustain life, development, and the environment.
2. Water management should be participatory — involving users, planners, and policymakers at all levels.
3. Women play a central role — in the provision, management, and safeguarding of water.
4. Water has economic value — and should be recognized as an economic good while ensuring equity.

Global Frameworks:

• Agenda 21 (Rio Summit 1992) – First global call for IWRM adoption.
• SDG 6.5 (UN Sustainable Development Goals) – Calls for all countries to implement IWRM by 2030.
• Widely promoted by Global Water Partnership (GWP), UNDP, and World Bank.

Water Cycle Context:

• Libya has an arid to semi-arid climate; rainfall is scarce and highly variable, with <100 mm annually in most regions (CEDARE, p. 7).
• Surface water is almost nonexistent, and groundwater recharge is minimal, making natural renewal of water resources very limited (AfDB, p. 11).

Main Water Resources:

• Fossil Groundwater:

1. 1. 1. Over 95% of freshwater comes from fossil aquifers (non-renewable), primarily via the Great Man-Made River Project (GMRP) (AfDB, p. 11).
      2. Major basins: Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, Kufra, Murzuk, and Sirt basins (CEDARE, p. 9).

• Springs & Oases:

1. 1. 1. Found in the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) region and small desert oases, but limited in scale (CEDARE, p. 10).

• Desalination Plants:

1. 1. 1. Around 80 small plants exist, but many are non-functional due to conflict, lack of spare parts, and energy costs (CEDARE, p. 11).

• Wastewater Reuse:

1. 1. Potential exists for treated wastewater in agriculture, but facilities are outdated and poorly maintained (AfDB, p. 16).

Main Institutions:

• Ministry of Water Resources (MWR): Leads water policy and infrastructure.
• General Water Authority (GWA): Oversees groundwater, wells, and GMR operations.
• Ministry of Agriculture: Manages irrigation schemes and land use.
• Municipalities: Local water allocation, often with weak coordination (CEDARE, p. 19).
• Environmental General Authority (EGA): Handles monitoring and environmental protection.

Governance Challenges:

• Fragmented mandates create overlaps and weak enforcement of laws (CEDARE, pp. 19–20).
• Outdated legislation – most water laws are from the 1970s–1980s and do not reflect climate or population realities (AfDB, p. 17).
• Lack of data systems and monitoring; water management is often reactive (CEDARE, p. 22).
• Donor-driven projects (EU, AfDB, UN) fill gaps but sustainability is weak without stronger national frameworks (AfDB, p. 20).

Current Situation:

• Women’s role: Women are primary water users/managers at the household level but rarely included in formal water governance structures (AfDB, p. 22).
• Youth: Large demographic share but little involvement in policy or decision-making; opportunities in digital monitoring and community mobilization remain untapped (CEDARE, p. 23).

Barriers:

• Cultural norms limiting women’s leadership roles.
• Weak representation in ministries, NGOs, and local councils.
• Limited training opportunities in technical water and environmental fields.

Opportunities through IWRM:

• Capacity building for women- and youth-led NGOs (AfDB, p. 23).
• Ensuring quotas/targets for female participation in water committees.
• Encouraging youth involvement in innovation, digital tools, and climate adaptation (CEDARE, p. 24).