National Policy Dialogues on Integrated Water Resources Management

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National Policy Dialogues (NPDs) on integrated water resources management and water supply and sanitation are the main operational instrument of the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) Component for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA). The EUWI, including its component for EECCA, was launched at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

Overall goals

The UNECE-supported National Policy Dialogues on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) are aimed at achieving the water related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the EECCA countries as well as specific targets on water management set in the EU Water Policy, Neighborhood Policy, Eastern Partnership, the EU Central Asia Strategy; UNECE environmental conventions, other UN and EU documents. Important background documentation on the NPDs include the UNECE Water Convention, the Protocol on Water and Health and the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Specific objectives

NPDs support the water sector reforms in EECCA countries through assistance to the governments in

•         Development and implementation of water strategies, laws based on IWRM principles;

•         Target setting under the UNECE/WHO-Europe Protocol on Water and Health;

•         Development of national policies for management of transboundary waters in accordance with principles of the UNECE Water Convention and other environmental conventions’ principles.

The policy dialogues are currently implemented in nine EECCA countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

NPD activities include

•         National high level Steering Committees’ meetings;

•         National thematic expert groups’ meetings;

•         Pilot projects related to legal and institutional issues (river basin management approach, etc.);

•         EUWI EECCA Working Group annual meetings;

•         Regional meetings on strengthening legal framework and/or water sector adaptation to climate change;

•         Capacity building activities – trainings, workshops.

Expected outcomes

The main outcome of the policy dialogues are so-called “policy packages” such as legislative acts, strategies, ministerial orders and plans for implementation.

Emphasis is also placed on the implementation of already adopted policies. This is done through pilot projects or by providing technical assistance.

NPD Brochure in English

NPD Presentation in English