Participation of SIC ICWC in the 21st Meeting of the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment under the UN Water Convention

On 7 May, the 21st meeting of the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment under the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Fazilat Abdullaeva represented SIC ICWC at the meeting.

During the session, participants discussed strategic initiatives for the 2025–2026 period, with particular focus on the following areas:

• Preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference: Participants reviewed preparations for the Conference to be held in UAE in December 2026, in particular for the interactive dialogue “Water for Cooperation.”

• Global monitoring and reporting: Participants analyzed progress under the fourth reporting cycle for SDG 6.5.2 on transboundary water cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of innovative monitoring and data-sharing technologies discussed during the recent global workshop.

• Methodological support: The meeting reviewed the draft publication Policy Guidance Note on Conjunctive Water Management in Transboundary Basins.

The agenda also included the approval of the report from the previous meeting and the collection of comments on the draft publication Policy Guidance Note on Conjunctive Water Management in Transboundary Basins.

Representatives of the countries across the region shared their experiences in implementing SDG 6.5.2. While acknowledging the progress achieved, delegates also highlighted persistent barriers to effective transboundary cooperation, including: (1) the lack of comparable data; and (2) limited financial and technical resources for regular information exchange.

Armenia’s experience was presented as a successful example of regional cooperation. Its systematic approach to monitoring SDG 6.5.2 contributed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Georgia on cooperation regarding the Khrami-Debed River on 3 December 2025. The agreement established a legal framework for water sharing.

Participants identified several key success factors:

• • Institutional mechanisms: In 2017, an intersectoral working group was established involving the Ministry of Environment of Armenia and the Center for Monitoring and Hydrometeorology of Georgia to support monitoring of SDG 6.5.1 and 6.5.2. The mechanism improved data quality and strengthened national coordination.

• Application of UN methodologies: Strict adherence to UNECE and UNESCO reporting standards.

• Technical assistance: Successful implementation of EU-supported initiatives, including EUWI+ and EU4Environment, contributed to the modernization of laboratories and enabled joint field studies in line with the EU Water Framework Directive.

• National dialogue platform: Active use of the UNECE-supported consultation platform facilitated coordination on the technical and legal aspects of cooperation.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of further harmonizing monitoring methodologies and strengthening technical support to countries in order to advance the objectives of the Water Convention. SIC ICWC continues actively contributing to these efforts, supporting enhanced water cooperation in Central Asia and beyond.