The Groundwater theme is still in the early stages of discussion

Alongside the IGOS Geohazards theme, GARS members in the Arab world have identified the issue of transboundary aquifers to be addressed in the Middle Eastern and North African countries. At the same time, ESA has established the TIGER Programme on water in Africa as part of their follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This is run in partnership with the Space Hydrology International Partnership of the UNESCO Hydrology and Earth Sciences Divisions. TIGER covers many aspects of African hydrology including wetlands and other areas of less relevance to GARS, but includes groundwater and transboundary aquifer issues.

A GARS working group will be established, with additional links to the IGOS Water Cycle Theme

An initial discussion on how to proceed with the groundwater intiative was undertaken together with scientists involved in groundwater initiatives within West Africa, Southern Africa and the Middle East. This discussion was held at UNESCO in Paris during the Second IGWCO theme planning meeting (1st-4th March 2006).