Growing demands create pressures on ecosystems and climate change pose immense risks to water security and quality in Central Asia. These risks, along with additional challenges resulting from population growth and increased pressure on resources require Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approaches and wise water management strategies.
Project Objective
The project is being implemented as part of the European Union-Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation (WECOOP) programme with the objective to enhance IWRM and inter-sectoral coordination for water security at the national level in Central Asian countries to support sustainable development. Enhancing water policies at national levels and approximating them to EU standards and promoting green investments in the water sector in Central Asia are specific objectives of the project.
The project aims at sustaining and further strengthening the on-going inter-sectoral processes of the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) NPDs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. A robust analytical basis will substantiate policy dialogues through "policy packages" defined at the national level and focused on priorities selected by the national governments. Water quality issues in a transboundary context, including with regards to preventing accidental water pollution, are expected to feature high among the priorities. In Turkmenistan, discussions will be organized to re-launch the NPD process. In Uzbekistan, the option of launching an NPD process will be explored.
Expected results
- Water "policy packages" prepared for discussion at regular EU Water Initiative (EUWI) National Policy Dialogue meetings
- National Policy Dialogue Steering Committee and Working Group meetings operational in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- EU Water Initiative National Policy Dialogue (re)launched in Uzbekistan and/or Turkmenistan
- Investment project ideas developed for the water sector
At the regional level, the EU-Central Asia Working Group on nvironment and Climate Change supports the EUWI NPDs on Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Supply and Sanitation, in cooperation with UNECE and OECD, in line with its Terms of Reference.