Ljubljana, Slovenia – 22 October 2024.
On the eve of the 10th Meeting of the Parties (MOP10) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, the “European Union for Environment” programme presented the results of the long-standing water cooperation involving the European Union, its Member States and EU’s Eastern partners, with the expert input of the OECD and UNECE. Due to this cooperation and EU’s financial support, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, have been innovating to manage their water resources better, increasingly in line with EU law, especially the Water Framework Directive, and other international standards and best practices, such as the United Nations Water Convention. Held in the margins of the MOP10, this event highlighted the key achievements in the region on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries shared success stories as inspiration for solutions to water challenges elsewhere. The participants also looked forward to the continuation of their cooperation in a Team Europe spirit.
Highlights of the achievements
Since 2021, and based on previous EU support, the water pillar of the EU4Environment programme has been an accelerator of the EaP countries’ water management reforms. Due to this support, the countries have:
- Developed an impressive number of 21 comprehensive River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) in line with the EU Water Framework Directive. These plans serve as critical tools for achieving sustainable water management at the basin level and for involving local stakeholders.
- Made significant progress in water quality monitoring and data collection, from the field to the laboratory, to ensure better informed decision-making and a higher effect of management measures.
- Promoted cross-sectoral, multi-stakeholder cooperation through National Policy Dialogue platforms and regional peer exchange, contributing to improved water security across the region.
- Worked to introduce and secure sound investment planning and financing mechanisms for water management, addressing the long-standing challenge of undervalued water and upgrading economic instruments such as water tariffs and taxes for provided services in water supply and sanitation.
- Promoted nature-based solutions to reduce ecosystem degradation and enhance the provision of natural ecosystem services (e.g. flood retention, self-purification, groundwater recharge).
- Addressed public health through epidemiological monitoring of urban wastewater, such as SARS-Covid2, in line with EU benchmarks and the UN Protocol on Water and Health.
The programme also contributed to strengthening cross-border water cooperation. Transboundary basins such as the Prut and the Dniester are of strategic importance, and the event underlined the role of shared water management in promoting peace and security in the region.
Reflecting on these achievements, Gérald Audaz, Team Leader for the Economic and Investment Plan at the European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations, said: "We trust that the water management innovations adopted by our Eastern partners will deliver positive results for the environment and improve people’s wellbeing. Water resilience is a critical part of our economies’ and societies’ resilience, not least because of climate change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Union has been, and will continue working together with the Eastern Partnership countries, including in the framework of the EU enlargement process, towards a clean environment, prosperity, peace, and stability."
Marco Keiner, Director, Environment Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), said: “The achievements of the Eastern Partnership countries in modernising water management underscore the power of collaboration across borders. Through shared efforts, we are not only improving water governance but also advancing peace, security, and resilience. This is a critical step forward in ensuring that future generations inherit healthy ecosystems and reliable water resources in a rapidly changing world.”
Alexander Zinke, of Environment Agency Austria and speaking on behalf of the programme’s implementing partners, highlighted: "The success of our long-years cooperation with the Eastern Partnership Countries shows the importance of step-wise technical support and capacity building. By aligning their water policies with EU standards, these countries are better and better equipped to tackle current environmental challenges and ensure sustainable protection and fair use of all water resources for future generations.”
Looking ahead
In addition to reviewing key successes, the participants were informed about planned follow up work. A new EU-funded regional programme, set to start in early 2025, will continue to facilitate water management reforms while broadening their scope, e.g. to address resilience in the face of climate change.
Background information
Since 2016, two EU Member States agencies (International Office for Water in France, Environment Agency Austria) and two international organisations (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)) have been working together within the framework EU-funded programmes in the Eastern Partnership countries to bring water management closer to the European Union and international standards. This cooperation started with the “EU Water Initiative Plus” (EUWI+) project (2016-2020) and continues until end of 2024 with the “EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data” programme. The later programme is principally funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and the French Artois-Picardie Water Agency based on a budget of EUR 12,75 million (EUR 12 million EU contribution).
