Water Policy Reforms in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia

Water resources in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) are experiencing growing pressures due to increasing demands from agriculture,energy generation, industry and urban centres. Such pressures encompass on the one hand the supply side, where available water quantities are diminishing in a number of areas and, on the other hand, the quality side, mainly due to the growing emissions of pollutants into surface water bodies. In addition, in a context where climate change is creating uncertainty about future water availability the need to protect freshwater resources is stronger than ever. Addressing these challenges appears to be even more urgent because of the trans-boundary nature of a large share of such water resources in the region, which can cause tensions between bordering countries.

A robust national policy framework, targeted investments and improved water management practices are therefore needed to make sure that in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia existing demands for water use are met in an environmentally sustainable way. As part of its Neighbourhood and development policy, since 2008 the EU has promoted in this region the Water Initiative, an international political undertaking that has helped participating countries improve their legislation in the water sector through the launch and the implementation of national policy reform processes.

The Initiative supports the integration into the national strategies and legislations and the regular application of internationally recognised principles of integrated water resource management. The EU Water Framework Directive and its related legislation and the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Trans-boundary Watercourses and International Lakes and its Protocol on Water and

Health are the milestones in which such principles are embedded and represent the guiding documents for the policy reform efforts in the region.The results of such efforts are presented in this brochure. This publication provides an overview of the main outcomes to which the Water Initiative contributed in ten EECCA countries and highlights achievements at country level as well as progress in trans-boundary water management – a key aspect of the regional dimension of the EU Water Initiative.