UNECE efforts build on the solid basis of international legal instruments, in particular the UNECE environmental conventions, as well as on internationally accepted tools and approaches like integrated water resources management and the river basin approach.

“UNECE stands ready to further assist the countries of Central Asia in finding mutually acceptable, cooperative solutions to the complex problems related to the water and energy nexus in the region. There are no easy or rapid solutions; however, we support the efforts led by the Executive Committee of IFAS to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for regional cooperation. Strong and modern regional institutions will enable IFAS member countries to effectively address present and future challenges”, Jan Kubis told the Committee.

UNECE closely cooperates with the Executive Committee of IFAS in an ambitious programme, which aims to improve regional institutions and legal frameworks for water management in the region. The Regional Dialogue and Cooperation on Water Resources Management, implemented by UNECE and funded by the Government of Germany through GTZ in the framework of the Berlin Water Process, is part of the Water and Environmental Pillar of the European Union’s Central Asia Strategy. The programme identifies ways to modernize institutional agreements, to increase the efficiency and coordination of the regional organizations and to strengthen their analytical capacity. These efforts are supplemented by strengthening the understanding and application of international water law in the region: national capacity-building workshops are organized in Central Asian countries with an emphasis on the UNECE Water and Espoo Conventions. The programme also contributes to improved water monitoring and information exchange — a key tool to support decision-making at the regional level.

In cooperation with IFAS, UNECE also helps the countries of Central Asia to strengthen cooperation on dam safety in the region by improving national legislation and by negotiating a regional agreement, which will include commitments to exchange information, notify and provide assistance in case of accidents at hydro-technical installations. The agreement is also expected to establish a body for regional cooperation on dam safety.

The visit by the UNECE Executive Secretary is a good opportunity to evaluate existing cooperation with IFAS as well as to discuss future needs. Among such needs is the development and implementation of the Third Aral Sea Basin Programme (ASBP-3) — a major action plan for coordinated efforts of Central Asian countries and the international community to mitigate the environmental and social consequences of the Aral disaster. UNECE will continue to provide advice and assistance to the Executive Committee of IFAS in the elaboration of ASBP-3 in order to bring it to a qualitatively new level and to make it a regional framework for coordinated efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and other international development priorities.