Second meeting, 1 July 2009, 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 second meeting of the AHPFM will take place on 1 July 2009 and it will be held in conference room XI of the Palais des Nations, Geneva, prior to the meeting of the Working Group on Working Group on Water and Health (2–3 July 2009). The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. on 1 st July. The working languages will be English, French and Russian.

The meeting is open to experts from UNECE member States representing governmental authorities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations as well as other interested stakeholders. Focal points are requested to disseminate information on the meeting and to facilitate nomination of relevant experts from their respective countries. The registration form can be found here and should be sent by 12 June 2009 at the latest to the UNECE secretariat (diana.teeder@unece.org).

Eligible participants from countries with economies in transition may apply for financial support to facilitate their participation in the seminar. Requests for financial support should be submitted to the UNECE secretariat (diana.teeder@unece.org) as soon as possible, but not later than 15 May 2009.