Joint bodies according to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Francesca Bernardini United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Challenges for water management in EECCA countries Quality of transboundary waters and regional seas threatened by industry, agriculture and human settlements Allocation of water and demand management Water quantity problems: water scarcity and floods Lack of access to safe water and sanitation

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Importance of transboundary waters in EECCA countries Inter-dependence between countries from the environmental, social and economical points of view Main source of drinking water

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes The Water Convention Signed on 17 March 1992 Entered into force on 6 October countries and the European Community have ratified the Convention

Parties to the Convention In the EECCA region: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine and Uzbekistan

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Aims of the Convention Protection of transboundary waters by preventing, controlling and reducing transboundary impacts Ecologically sound and rational management of transboundary waters Reasonable and equitable use of transboundary waters  Conflict prevention Conservation and restoration of ecosystems

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Main provision – Art. 2 Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, control and reduce any transboundary impact. Transboundary impacts are any significant adverse effect on the environment resulting from a change in the conditions of transboundary waters caused by a human activity including effects on human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air, water, climate, landscape and historical monuments or other physical structures or the interaction among these factors.

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Two sets of provisions: Provisions applying to all Parties Provisions applying to Parties sharing transboundary waters

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Provisions relating to Riparian Parties Parties bordering the same transboundary waters are obliged to conclude specific bilateral or multilateral agreements providing for the establishment of joint bodies

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Joint Bodies means any bilateral or multilateral commission or other appropriate institutional arrangements for cooperation between the Riparian Parties.

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Tasks of joint bodies Identify, draw up inventory and exchange information on the pollution sources; Elaborate joint monitoring programmes concerning water quality and quantity; Set emission limits and evaluate the effectiveness of control programmes; Elaborate joint water quality objectives; Develop concerted action plans; Establish warning and alarm procedures; Represent a forum for the exchange of information Participate in EIA relating to transboundary waters

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Cooperation With joint bodies for the protection of the marine environment (e.g. Black Sea Commission) With other joint bodies in the same catchment area (e.g. Sava/Danube or water management/navigation in the Danube)

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Implementation of selected tasks by joint bodies in the UNECE region

Convention of the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Food for thought Are existing structures suitable? How to implement IWRM in the transboundary context? How to strenghten enforcement capacity? Is cooperation with national authorities adequate? How to make available needed resources? How to ensure public participation?