EC IFAS jointly with World Bank organized training on review of BEAM and AralDIF models: modeling approaches, model architecture, data needs and application.

The training workshop produced an opportunity for participants to get training on the practical use of the BEAM model.

The Model Training Program was designed as an outcome from a regional workshop which took place July 4-6, 2012 in Almaty, “Strengthening Analysis for Integrated and Adaptive Water Resources Management in Central Asia”, a technical forum to advance a transparent data and knowledge base for resources management in the basins in Central Asia iwrm-workshop-report_wb_july_2012.pdf [1,7 Mb], iwrm-workshop-report_annexes_july_2012.pdf [1018,69 Kb].

These two identical sessions became the first in a series of training and informational sessions to explore BEAM model and opportunities for a system-of-models in support of a decision support system for the two river basins of the Aral Sea.

Within the training workshop the following scheme was proposed – training for trainers who learn not only to use the model, but will continue to educate water professionals, economic and other fields via organization of trainings.

Participants gave positive evaluation to the training conducted.

Technical profile of most trainees contributed to critical expert assessment of the model (comments and recommendations). Many experts were positive and even optimistic about further use of the model in the process of decision making in the Aral Sea Basin both at regional and national level, after the model is refined on account of additions and suggestions provided during the training.

According to participants the model should be improved in a way to account fully the equity issues (in addition to the parameters of effectiveness and efficiency): social and environmental components; as well as to address problem related to conflict between economical and ecological interests (issue of water quality).

Experts specified the important aspect – need to ensure trust from decision makers to the water-energy models on the way to achieving transparency of water resources allocation in the basin and increasing level of trust between countries (regarded as topical issue in the basin). Training discussions and relevant input of practising specialists present the first model use approbation.

In this regard, capacity building is needed for interested any-level water and energy managers in the government, training for users, thus facilitating application of the IWRM modeling approaches and tools in the government policy making and regional cooperation (both strategic and operational).

Water allocation issues (transboundary waters) are considered indirectly in the model. The model allows analyzing different variants of the existing situation on water use (sector analysis); the main task is related to interpretation and application of this analysis to practical issues.

Therefore, during the training the specific possibilities of trainees were identified to advance the acquired knowledge for targeted dissemination in their institutions and beyond, in the countries to a wider range of specialists.

It is appropriate to introduce the concept of economic assessment of water use (integrated approach) o university programs on IWRM, for example, application of the concept (integrated approach) to educational methodology or organization of programs of university exchange.

Also possibilities for further improvement of BEAM and consequent input and analysis by experts as a follow-up were identified.

Model acceptability by the governments is possible through combination of administrative approach and involvement of interested specialists from different sectors (possibly via IFAS bodies).

During the training the planned transfer of the model code and GAMS licenses to structures of IFAS (it is necessary to contact EC IFAS country branches, SIC ICWC, SIC ICSD) was arranged. The agreements were drawn up for the adequate dissemination of the concept and access to the programme part (software) of the model in the countries.

Documentation for BEAM model

Report on AralDIF caewdp_phase-1b-final-report_en.pdf [2,95 Mb]