1 E A P TASK FORCE EAP Task Force Water Programme – Progress and Plans Peter Börkey Helsinki, 24– 25 May 2007

2 A key event – The Belgrade Environment for Europe Conference Will take place on 10-12th of October 2007 Will bring together Environment Ministers from all of Europe Will decide on the future of the Environment for Europe process, and of that of the EAP Task Force A EAP Task Force water work programme could be developed following the possible renewal of our mandate by the Ministers Independently of the Ministerial, our cooperation with the EUWI will go on A side-event, jointly organised by the EUWI, UNECE and EAP Task Force, will be held to present some of our work

3 Progress since last meeting

4 Monitoring Water Sector Reforms Preparation of key messages and indicators on water supply and sanitation in EECCA for the EECCA Environment Strategy Progress Report In 2006: Collection of water utilities performance data in four countries: Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan In 2007: Report on state of the water supply and sanitation sector in EECCA for « Environment for Europe » Conference in Belgrade

5 Promoting Legal and Institutional Reforms Assessing obstacles and opportunities for PSP in EECCA (joint activity with the World Bank) –Workshop to assess the situation with the participation of the domestic private sector in WSS planned for 2007 could not take place due to lack of funding Guidelines for performance-based contracts between municipalities and utilities –Guidelines published and disseminated in various events –Project to provide assistance to several municipalities in assessing existing performance contracts, and developing recommendations for improvements has been launched Two case studies in Armenia Expressions of interest of others are welcome, especially from CIS-7

6 Promoting financial reforms and managing their social implications Developing financing strategies for the water supply and sanitation, including a social assessment –Facilitating National Policy Dialogues on Financing WSS: Work to develop financing strategy for urban and rural water supply and sanitation in Moldova launched in September 2006; NPD on financing rural WSS in Armenia launched in Dec. 2006; Work to extend financing strategy for the urban water supply and sanitation sector in Georgia to cover rural areas launched in April 2007; –We are currently exploring the possibility of launching an additional project in Central Asia in 2007/2008

7 Promoting financial reforms and managing their social implications (continued) Developing a financial planning tool for municipalities –First pilot project implemented with Bishkek Vodokanal, finalised in 2005 –Manual and financial planning tool available since 2006 –Second pilot project with Armvodokanal in Armenia finalised in –Third pilot project launched in April 2007 with Chisinau Vodokanal Strengthening financial management capacity at the local level –In July 2007, launch of a training programme involving a « train-the- trainer » approach for about 40 high-level staff from municipalities and utilities in CIS-7 –Focus on training: FPTWU and MYIP tools developed by the EAP task Force –Recommendations of possible trainees sought