EUWI National Policy Dialogues on Integrated Water Resources

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

EUWI National Policy Dialogues on

Integrated Water Resources Management

under the EU Water Initiative

Gulnara Roll, Water Convention Secretariat Environment Division, UNECE, Geneva

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

National Policy Dialogues (NPD)

on integrated water resources management (IWRM) and water supply and sanitation (WSS) is the main operational instrument of the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI). • WG for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia is chaired by the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests • UNECE is key strategic partner on IWRM, transboundary waters; • OECD is key strategic partner on water supply and sanitation as well as water resources management financing National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner NPD - a policy process rather than a technical project

• NPDs are a platform for the policy discussions and preparation and implementation of policy documents (e.g. Governmental and Ministerial Orders) • NPD are led by a senior official, usually the Deputy - Minister for Environment/Water Resources • Representatives of key government agencies comprise NPD Steering Committee • Stakeholders include governmental entities, NGOs, science, private sector entities, • Donors take part in the SCs meetings

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

NPDs IWRM in countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia

Since 2006, UNECE has been carrying out National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in four countries: Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

In 2010, the policy dialogues started in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

Major issues addressed by the EUWI NPDs IWRM

• Water legislation (EU WFD, Water Convention principles): development of water strategies, laws, regulations based on IWRM principles (AM, AZ, GE, MD, TJ, TM)

• Issues of drinking water quality (UNECE – WHO Protocol on Water and Health) (MD, UA, AM). Synergies on WSS with OECD!

• National policies for management of transboundary waters (UNECE Water Convention) (AZ, GE, MD, UA, TJ),

• Adaptation of the water sector to climate change are high on the policy agenda(MD, UA). National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

Update on NPDs development

• Diverse activities but one structured approach –SCs established, MoU signed, countries’ reports on mapping major stakeholders and programmes and NPD/IWRM Roadmaps are prepared; • More active work on ground – support to national and international consultants to conduct analysis, prepare thoroughly policy packages. NB: the support is a direct and quick reflection to the governments’ needs • Close coordination and synergies with OECD – establishment of joint SCs ad joint programming

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

Update on NPDs – a number of NPDs/IWRM in 2009 – 2012

2009 2010 2011 2012 National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner Financial support to NPDs/IWRM in 2009 – 2012, thousands USD

737 700

422

250

2009 2010 2011 2012 National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

Financial support to NPDs/IWRM in 2009 – 2012, thousands US (EU funds and other

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

2009 2010 2011 2012 National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner Financial support to NPDs/IWRM in 2009 – 2012, % distribution between different funding agencies

DK GIZ SK 3% 2% 1% OSCE 1%

UNECE 13% EU CH 45% 7% NO 8%

FIN 20% National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

NPD IWRM supported in 2009 – 2012 • European Commission, • Governments of Finland, • Switzerland, • Germany - GIZ, • Norway, • Denmark (expertise), • Slovakia through IWAC, • ENVSEC through OSCE National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner Experiences • NPDs is a part of a continuing cooperation process between the UNECE and the countries, this helps the process;

• Importance of keeping the NPDs a flexible instrument – responding to needs expressed by the SC members;

• Importance of the long-term approach and regularity of the cooperation (vs. one conference);

• The NPDs respond to countries needs and are much "requested": received requests for the continuation and a new request from Kazakhstan;

• Donor coordination activities needs much more attention: what are the long-term effects of uncoordinated donor activities?

National Policy Dialogues on IWRM in EECCA with UNECE as a key strategic partner

NPDs challenges for the future

• Regularity of the dialogue – the policy process needs to be regular and continuous, including the involvement of the UNECE staff

• Need in a more active involvement of water stakeholders in the countries – NGOs, industry, regional and local authorities;