Water diplomacy in Tunisia: The BRIDGE programme concludes a strategic cycle of dialogues on the Medjerda river basin

This unique cycle of dialogues brought together, in each session, a diverse range of institutional, technical, associative, and scientific actors with a common goal: strengthening cooperation and sustainable governance of shared water resources in the context of global climate, environmental, and economic challenges.

A Structuring Programme for the Medjerda Basin

The BRIDGE programme (Building River Dialogue and Governance), funded by Swiss Cooperation, supports several transboundary basins worldwide. The Medjerda, Tunisia’s main freshwater river, joined the pilot basins of the programme in its 5th phase (2022–2026). In Tunisia, BRIDGE focused on :

• Strengthening the capacities of stakeholders,
• Raising awareness on legal and diplomatic tools related to water,
• Promoting inter-institutional and transboundary dialogue.

The three dialogues organised in Tunis (June, November 2024, and February 2025) constituted a genuine learning journey, combining theoretical contributions, international case studies, experience exchanges, and simulation exercises.

The 3rd Dialogue: Focus on Operational Cooperation

The final workshop helped consolidate the achievements of previous dialogues while addressing new key issues:

• The role of international water institutions,
• Financing mechanisms for shared basins,
• Approaches to equitable benefit-sharing,
• The development of water policies in the context of climate change.

Practical negotiation sessions around a fictional case provided participants with a hands-on immersion in water diplomacy, addressing the specific cooperation challenges between Tunisia and Algeria, particularly in the context of the Medjerda Basin, shared by both countries.

A Reinforced Commitment to Transboundary Dialogue

Among the key recommendations from this 3^rd dialogue were:

• Expanding training to include other profiles beyond water diplomats (technicians, researchers, field actors),
• Organizing joint field missions between Tunisia and Algeria,
• Creating bilateral working groups on specific issues (pollution, flood management, over-exploitation of aquifers),
• Developing advocacy mechanisms to strengthen the integration of environmental concerns into bilateral political forums.

A Dynamic to Perpetuate

Although formal governance frameworks between Tunisia and Algeria over the Medjerda Basin are still to be defined, the BRIDGE process is helping to build and strengthen the foundations for progressive, technical, and eventually political cooperation based on trust, transparency, and concrete action.

What’s next?

Translate these lessons into field actions, promote regional synergies, and position water diplomacy as a strategic lever for water security and environmental peace in the region.

Learn more about BRIDGE 5

In the Medjerda Basin

• https://iucn.org/fr/article/202407/bridge-5-luicn-lance-la-premiere-serie-de-dialogues-dans-le-cadre-du-bassin-versant
• https://iucn.org/fr/article/202306/bridge-5-luicn-renforce-la-collaboration-et-lechange-au-niveau-du-bassin-versant-de 

The BRIDGE initiative 

• https://waterandnature.org/all-initiatives/bridge/
• https://waterlawandgovernance.org/bridge/