High-level closing conf on EU-funded project "Integrated Water Resources Management" held in Almaty

Conference's main aim was to review the overall results of the project, existing experience in IWRM implementation in the region in a wider context and also to receive feedback from the stakeholders and beneficiaries on the project. Conference facilitated formation and knowledge sharing on existing instruments and best practices supported by the project and helped to improve cooperation among different stakeholders and partners. Conference provided recommendations for planning of follow up interventions and activities in the region as well.
More than 70 participants from four Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), international and regional organizations and agencies - leaders and experts from ministries and agencies involved in water resource management, water management organizations, resource centres, NGOs, experts and representatives of international and partner organizations participated in this IWRM Conference, the EU delegation to Kazakhstan said.
Main task of the UNDP's IWRM project funded by the European Union, Finland and other donors, was to promote transboundary dialogue and sustainable water resources management in Central Asia through interventions at national level (mainly involving Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and at transboundary level (mainly involving Kazakhstan and China). Project has provided support to the countries at IWRM implementation through concrete interventions - at national, water basin and local level. Rural water supply and sanitation, improving water use and irrigation efficiency, small-scale hydropower solutions, water-health aspects, capacity building and related activities were the main targets of the Project.
During the first session of the Final Conference the outcomes of Transboundary Water cooperation in Central Asia, EU strategies in Central Asia water sector, including plans for the future, EUWI National Policy Dialogues on IWRM and general overview on the project achievements and results were presented. Session was followed by open and constructive discussion.
The first session was followed by the presentations of national level projects results. Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan introduced their national components and results. National key stakeholders and beneficiaries provided their feedback on project activities and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for donors' support and for the successful work that has been done.
First day of the conference concluded with the work in four breakout groups (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Regional level) where recent achievements and highlights of what needs to be followed up on have been discussed.
Priority areas for further interventions and feedback from national representatives based on previous work in groups were also discussed, as the results of Conference, on the plenary session next day.
The European Union contributed EUR 1,5 million for the implementation of the project "Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia" with the total budget of USD 5,4 million.