WORKSHOP ON THE PROJECT “STRENGTHENING ACTION IN UZBEKISTAN ON WATER AND SANITATION AND PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES FROM ACCIDENTAL POLLUTION IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE”
SIC ICWC took part in the kick-off workshop of the UNECE Project “Strengthening Action in Uzbekistan on Water and Sanitation and Protection of Water Resources from Accidental Pollution in the face of Climate Change”.
The project’s overall objective is to improve governance and capacity in the areas of water and sanitation, prevention of accidental water pollution, and resilience to climate change, including through transboundary cooperation and regional exchange.
Uzbekistan has joined to the Protocol on Water and Health of the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (by Presidential Decree PP-362 of 9.11.2023). This Project has been initiated to support the Government of Uzbekistan in implementing the Protocol.
Under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, heads of relevant ministries and departments (Ministry of Water Management, State Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service, Ministry of Emergencies) voiced the meaning and vision of the project objectives in their welcome remarks. The project’s main objectives and tasks were also highlighted in speeches of representatives of UNECE, UNESCO, and the Swiss Embassy in Uzbekistan.
Three sessions were held during the workshop:
- Facilitation of accession of Uzbekistan to the Industrial Accidents Convention;
- Assistance in implementing the obligations of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health;
- Revision of wastewater standards.
The following opinions were shared during discussion:
- Transboundary water cooperation aspects shall be considered to ensure efficiency of accidental water pollution prevention measures.
- More information on case studies of the countries that have joined the Protocol long ago is advisable for better understanding of Protocol obligations, their implementation and effectiveness.
- Guidelines need to be developed to set norms of maximum permissible discharge of pollutants via wastewater.
Ms. Zulfiya Yarullina took part in the workshop on behalf of SIC ICWC.
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