The Pedernalis Basin occupies a relatively modest surface of 302 km² on the southern border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The management of the basin is challenged by extreme meteorological events, an unequal economic growth and water scarcity combined with a high water allocation.

The players of the role-play, acting like Haitian or Dominican governmental representatives, were invited to address a list of issues, on which to establish a joint basin management committee, including the creation of an enabling environment for cooperation and integrating economic and social needs into institutional reform.

The keynote by Mr. Eduardo J. Mestre, Permanent Technical Secretary for LANBO (Latin American Network of Basin Organizations), Mexico, introducing the main characteristics of the Pedernalis Basin [PDF format - 196 KB].

The role-play was introduced and guided by Mr.Raymundo Garrido, former Secretary of the Water Resources Secretariat of Brazil.

Ambassador Mara Bondanza, Argentinean Director-General of Environmental Affairs chaired the Session and debriefing.

Rapporteur: Mr. Bastien Affeltranger, scholar at the United Nations University's Institute for Environment and Human Security.