Technical workshop in Minsk © CRICUWR
On 4 March 2021, a technical workshop held both in Minsk and online gathered more than 25 participants to discuss recent progress towards sustainable water management in Belarus.
With the support of the EU-funded European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership (EUWI+) programme, Belarus is taking measures to develop its water sector, adapt it to climate change and harmonise its regulation with that of the EU and requirements of multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health. As the EUWI+ programme is coming to an end, this workshop offered an opportunity to address remaining tasks, as well as to discuss next steps.
Ms Tatsiana Mingurova (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus) opens the Workshop
On this occasion, partners officially launched the synthesis publication “Towards Water Security in Belarus”, which compiles the results of Belarus’s efforts towards sustainable water management, including with EUWI+ support since 2016, and identifies tools and techniques developed to respond to the country’s needs.
Ms Elena Hramadskaya (CRICUWR) presents the consultation related to the RBMPs
Participants examined recent progress in modernising national water policy and governance in Belarus and transboundary cooperation in line with emerging national priorities. A new Water Strategy to 2030 has been drafted and underwent a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
They also discussed the elaboration and implementation of the river basin management plans in Belarus (Dnieper and Pripyat river basins) and the local capacity upgrading to carry out surface and groundwater monitoring and laboratory analysis according to EU Water Framework Directive standards, as well as progress and further needs in the field of data management.
They presented the results of local pilot actions aimed to improve drinking water supply in rural settlements and water efficiency in water intensive industries as well as capacity-building regarding use of economic instruments for managing water resources, bodies and infrastructure. Revised national water and health targets were also presented and discussed. Finally, specialists representing both Belarus and EUWI+ implementing partners (Austria, France, OECD and UNECE) exchanged their views on future needs and priorities of Belarus in the water governance domain after 2021.
Mr Alisher Mamadzhanov (UNECE) presents the outlook