The notion of river basin management, by focusing on a spatial unit (the river basin), goes beyond the usual sectoral management of water. The use of the river basin as a territorial management unit lies at the heart of the EU Water Framework Directive. The level of decentralisation provided by river basin management makes it possible to deal with local water challenges that may be tackled less effectively by a central state administration. By taking into account the needs of different water users as well as the balance between the economy (uses) and ecosystems (protection), management at the river basin level provides for equal access to water and the sustainability of water resources in the long-term.

So far, the River Basin Management process has not been prescribed nor implemented in Azerbaijan. A first River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) was developed in the Kura River Basin District upstream the Mingachevir dam in 2021. This RBMP is still to be adopted due to the still missing regulation defining: River Basin District delineations, RBMP development and the adoption process. The implementation of the RBMP Programme of Measures needs to be monitored. The EU4Environment – Water and Data programme supports the work on delineation of river basin districts and support the process of adoption and implementation of the RBMP of the Kura upstream the Mingachevir dam RBMP.

International Office for Water