First meeting, 25 June 2008, Geneva

The Protocol on Water entered into force on 4 August 2005. At their first meeting (Geneva, 17–19 January 2007), the Parties to the Protocol established an Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism (AHPFM) to help mainstream international support for national action. The AHPFM comprises two elements: the Facilitator and the Ad Hoc Project Clearing House. The Ad Hoc Project Clearing House is an open-ended body under the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol with members from Parties and non-Parties (both from donor and recipient countries) as well as from global and regional financial institutions, relevant international organizations, competent international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international foundations with cooperation programmes of recognized importance for water and health.

The objective of the Ad Hoc Project Clearing House is to identify priority activities of non-infrastructure intervention, including: (a) health-related aspects of integrated water resources management; (b) safe drinking-water supply and adequate sanitation; (c) reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality; (d) meeting the water needs of vulnerable groups; and (e) gender issues related to water supply and sanitation. Another objective is to advocate funding of proposals submitted through the Facilitator.

The first meeting of Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism will be held on 25 June 2008 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, back-to-back with the first meeting of the Working Group on Water and Health (26-27 June 2008). The working languages will be English, French and Russian. Documents for the meeting will be posted on this web-page in due course.

The AHPFM meeting is open to experts from Parties and non-Parties to the Protocol representing governmental authorities, the private sector and NGOs as well as other interested stakeholders. The meeting is particularly relevant for representatives of institutions responsible for international assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors as well as from recipient countries. In this respect, focal points are requested to facilitate nomination of relevant experts from their respective countries. Given the complexity of the issues discussed, delegates should consult within their countries with relevant health, environment, water management authorities as well as ministries of foreign affairs and development agencies to ensure that the views, needs and approaches of all concerned sectors are taken into account.

Each participating in the meeting delegate should fill in the registration form and send it to the secretariat, as indicated in the form.

Experts from eligible countries may apply for financial support to facilitate their participation in the meeting. Requests for financial support should be addressed to the secretariat (protocol.water_health@unece.org) as soon as possible and in any case by 12 May 2008.

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