The overall goals and objectives of the GWP CACENA activity
In accordance with Johannesburg appeal (2002) the main goal of the activities of water partnership in Central Asia and Caucasus is to facilitate the implementation of the principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM) towards WSSD and MDGs achievement. This process should be pursued by public participation in decision making, promoting political will to cooperation among sectors and countries, initiating dialogues among all stakeholders and support of practical actions at local levels, including capacity development.
In accordance with the Regional Strategy 2004-2008 the activities within the GWP CACENA network during the year 2007 should complete efforts on strengthening of the Regional and Country Water Partnerships and implementation of IWRM principles using participatory tools and fundraising. The work program includes five directions of activity in accordance with approved by GWPO outputs:
- IWRM water policy and strategy development facilitated on relevant levels.
- IWRM programs and tools developed in response to regional and country needs.
- Linkages between GWP and other frameworks, sectors, and issues ensured.
- GWP partnerships established and consolidated at relevant levels.
- GWP network effectively developed and managed.
Work Content in 2007
Output 1: IWRM water policy and strategy development facilitated on relevant levels
The goal of activities is to create appropriate environment for the process of introduction of IWRM on the national level (formulation of water policy, development of legal base, system of financing of water sector) and coordination of regional restrictions. In other words, the creation of political support to essential directions of reforms in water sector. To achieve this goal the following actions are suggested:
1.a. To fulfill updated review of the IWRM status in all countries – to identify where each country is on the way to the CSD in 2008. This is a continuation of the already undertaken surveys 2004 and 2006. It will be done by a group of the invited experts from each country.
1.b. Organization of political dialogue on IWRM implementation on national level (in the form of inter-sectoral seminars and round tables). This activity is supported by the Government of Finland. It was started in 2005, with extensions for 2006 and 2007. The focus is on facilitation of exchange of experiences among the sectors and countries on the basis of the above mentioned updated review (1.a), and to disseminate the most advanced knowledge summarized by GWP (TEC papers, ToolBox, CapNet manuals, CACENA regional papers and reports, etc.). The expected output – governmental commitment in all CACENA countries on IWRM principles to be practically implemented (via National water policies, Laws, local actions, etc.).
1.c. Support of public awareness campaign on IWRM principles in the countries of the region. These activities constitute the continuation of the ongoing work on the country level since 2004. The objective is to ensure the complete comprehension by civil society of the concept of IWRM in context of the achievement of MDGs. It is scheduled the preparation and dissemination of different publications in form of special papers, brochures, posters, policy briefs and information through mass media.
1.d. Provide advisory service and to coordinate joint actions with the project “National IWRM and Water Efficiency Plan for Kazakhstan” supported by Government of Norway and UNDP.
1.e. Coordination to be conducted for the UNDP (GEF) planned Project addressed to the National IWRM planning in Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (the Project is proposing to start in the end of 2006 – beginning of 2007). The principal attention will be paid to transfer GWP know-how and materials to the Project implementation teams to promote correct understanding of the IWRM concept by the National plan implementers – national water authorities and basin organizations.
Output 2: IWRM programs and tools developed in response to regional and country needs
The goal is to suggest the tools for IWRM (applicable day-to-day water resources management and regulation of water relationships and also instruments used for national IWRM planning process). To facilitate development of reforms mechanisms in accordance with regional and country needs. In order to achieve this goal following actions are suggested:
2.a. Capacity development to facilitate National IWRM planning process in all CACENA countries. This activity is continuation of actions started in 2005 and continued in 2006 with special support from the Government of Finland. The target is capacity development for leaders of planning and IWRM implementation process, not only involving water specialists, but also water users and other stakeholders. The principal basis for training courses should be GWP paper “Catalyzing Change…” and CapNet “Manual on IWRM planning” already translated into Russian. Also experience of a number of ongoing pilot projects over the CACENA region will be used for dissemination. Outcomes of the special joint program of UCC-Water and GWP CACENA in 2006 to support the process of National IWRM planning in three countries (Kyrgyz republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) should be good basis for actions extension over the region. The 2006 outputs of this joint activity were the following:
- Sub-regional report on progress on IWRM 2005 Target and IWRM Planning
- Completed national road maps/work plans for implementation of the IWRM target (three countries).
- Needs assessment for support to implementation of IWRM reforms as identified in road maps and work plans.
- Capacity built on IWRM planning for key water managers and decision makers
2.b. Dissemination of the knowledge on IWRM concept, sustainable development and other water management aspects. GWP CACENA will continue the activities on translation of the most advanced publications on IWRM aspects into Russian and local languages together with preparation and publication of the most important and relevant regional materials.
2.c. Utilization of the IWRM ToolBox with the aim of making it useful for practitioners. Identification and adjustment of tools which are most relevant for the CACENA region. This activity will include drafting and publishing of Tool Box Case Studies by individual countries or joint basins. Continuation of joint activities with GWP CEE, which were started in 2004 and continued in 2005 and 2006 (six joint seminars). The following activities are proposed to support the dissemination and promotion of the TB:
- Regular dissemination of information among each country of the CEE and CACENA using the GWP network. The Focal Point established in 2006 database of users trained in 2000 – 2006 (in CEE and CACENA) and updated information will be provided to them via e-mail. Also, a questionnaire will be distributed to investigate the rate of use and the multiplication of users among existing “TB graduates”. The questionnaire as developed in CEE will be used. This will allow interpreting the “TB product” in two separate regions.
- The training workshop on selected “change area” of the TB will be organized among the CACENA participants. This activity will be based on the demand of the CACENA participants - the selected topics of new seminars will be defined by the end 2006. The Focal Point will be responsible for the design of agenda of two more seminars with the support of the GWP CACENA Secretariat. The training topics will be concerted with activities 1a – 1c, 3b and 4b.
- Case studies are a critical part of the TB. The Focal point will facilitate preparation minimum of 5 case studies from CACENA countries.
Output 3: Linkages between GWP and other frameworks, sectors, and issues ensured
The aim is to ensure the consideration of IWRM in regional and national programs, and assist countries to develop a platform for participation / involvement in these programs of all stakeholders. Another aspect is that RWP CACENA should confirm its role as a real partner on global, regional, and national level in order to influence on the process of real implementation of IWRM principles. The scope of work will be limited to the following activities:
3.a. Participation in EECCA component of the EU Water Initiative. In 2005 GWP CACENA was recognized as partner of the EU WI within the working group on IWRM component of the EECCA program. It is expected a proper contribution from RWP CACENA to this activity with representatives who will take active part in the key events of the EECCA during 2007.
3.b. Joint activities with regional NGOs. RWP CACENA will continue support to the most active NGOs in the region. There will be certain contributions to the actions of EcoForum in Central Asia and in Caucasus. Also, there will be traditional support to the annual public campaign on Kura-Araks Day (June 2007) – jointly with REC Caucasus.
Output 4: GWP partnerships established and consolidated at relevant levels
The aim is to increase the public participation and awareness through public involvement in being reformed organizational structures of water management and strengthening of regional network of RWP CACENA. To achieve the goal of this output the following actions are suggested.
4.a. Support to the Country Water Partnerships. Three CWPs already exist – Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia. RWP will promote facilitation of their role in certain countries on the way to the IWRM implementation. For the countries where CWPs were not yet officially established, national task forces will be set up to prepare for the establishment of country water partnerships.
4.b. To promote proper coordination among all partners (stakeholders) in the region a GWP CACENA Partnership Database should be created. Each partner will be insisted to submit to the CACENA Secretariat the filled Application Form and on the basis of these forms Database will be finalized.
4.c. Regional stakeholders coordination meeting. The annual Regional Stakeholders Conference (the date an venue will be identified) should become an appropriate platform for monitoring and evaluation of the Work Program and Actions. The main indicators are firstly, the quantity of involved partners in the context of GWP values of openness and transparency and secondly, the real achievements of the RWP-CACENA Work Program.
4.d. Operational web-site. Regular updating of the RWP CACENA web page in Internet (RWP CACENA Secretariat).
4.e. Bridges with neighboring GWP regions (China, CEE and others). There was preliminary discussed proposal for collaboration between GWPO and ADB to help establish a Water Operators Partnership (WOP) in CACENA and South Asia with the support of the existing Water Utilities Network (WUNET) in South-East Asia. The aim of the proposed WOPs is to strengthen local water operators, improve their functioning and management and enable them to attract more financing. A detailed program of joint activities addressed to design of WOPs is in preparation.
The specific efforts will be allocated for active involvement of the GWP CACENA partners into the Asia-Pacific Water Forum activities and preparatory process for organization of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit, which will be held in Japan in 2007.
Output 5: GWP network effectively developed and managed
The goal is to develop full valuable regional water partnership and effective governance of the RWP CACENA activities.
The new organizational arrangements – to reform RTAC into RWP, including Regional Council and Regional Technical Committee – should be finalized in December 2006 during the GWP CACENA Stakeholder Conference to be held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The main objective of the RWP CACENA is to conduct activities of the GWP network in the region and strengthening the GWP “brand”. The part of commitments are support to Regional Secretariat and participation in international events, initiated by GWP as well as regular Council and Regional TEC meetings. More attention should be paid to mechanisms of network governance and information dissemination.
It is planned to conduct regular meetings of RWP Council and to actively participate in the next meeting of GWP CP in 2007.
The mobilization of additional funds is very important for implementation of the Work Plan activities. The first priority is to formulate a fundraising strategy. The main problem is that there is high competition for donor’s funds in the region among existing regional institutes (for instance IFAS, ICWC, some NGOs, including REC and others). RWP CACENA aims at creating bridges/alliances with these regional institutes for fundraising for joint activities (seminars, dialogues, trainings, pilot projects, etc.). It is also necessary to continue the process of negotiations (with appropriate support of GWPO on interstate level) with potential donors in the region to promote development of new corridors of cooperation.