Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia signed the “Tripoli Declaration” on Wednesday, committing to the rational and equitable sharing of the North-Western Sahara Aquifer System. This giant groundwater reserve, containing over 40 trillion cubic metres of fossil water, is one of the world’s largest. Nearly two-thirds lies beneath Algeria, just under a third under Libya, and eight percent under Tunisia.

The agreement stresses sustainable use of the non-renewable resource amid climate change and rising demand. Libyan Water Resources Minister Hosni Aouidat called for stronger coordination and integration among the three nations. The joint mechanism aims to prevent pollution and overexploitation through shared monitoring. Based on mathematical models, each country will receive a quota, while water levels and environmental risks are tracked. Libya, one of the world’s driest countries, relies heavily on the Great Man-Made River pipeline system to access such fossil water.

janus