News And Updates
2011 Brings New Strategy for Danube Region |
On 8 December 2010, for the long-term sustainability of the Danube Region and surrounding areas, the European Commission (EC) adopted the "EU Strategy for the Danube Region". The plan was requested by the European Council in 2009 and is designed to improve transportation, link energy systems, protect the environment, preserve water resources and stimulate the business climate in the area. The Strategy includes a Communication and an Action Plan. Implementation of the Strategy will start following its endorsement by Member States during the Hungarian Presidency of the EU in April 2011.
Although the Strategy will not bring in extra EU finance, a considerable amount of funding is already available to the region through EU programmes. The aim is to use this available support to greater effect and show how macro-regional cooperation can help tackle local problems - € 100 billion alone has been allocated from the cohesion policy (European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, European Social Fund) between 2007 and 2013.
European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn said: "During the consultation period the Danube states have shown their commitment to the creation of a new macro-region at the highest level. The Strategy and Action Plan we are proposing are based on over 800 submissions from the Region itself. By focusing on the most important issues, such as mobility, energy, pollution, jobs and security, I am convinced that the Strategy will make a real contribution to building a better future for this part of Europe. This second EU macro region will play an important part in pioneering this form of cooperation. I am convinced that the macro-regional approach can bring excellent results, as we are already seeing in the Baltic Sea Region.''
The Strategy contains a detailed action plan based around four pillars: Connecting and strengthening the Danube Region, protecting the environment and building prosperity in the Region.
For further information, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/danube/index_en.htm
Floods in Eastern Europe calls for emergency |
Much of Eastern Europe has experienced some of its worst flooding in decades. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro have declared a state of emergency due to floods after heavy rain pushed the River Drina to its highest level in 100 years. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from areas close to the river, which runs along the three nations' borders. The entire area was hit by power outages and lacked drinking water. In Albania, a combination of heavy snow followed by equally heavy rain caused rivers to burst their banks and thousands of hectares of farmland have been flooded. Turkey took action to provide assistance to the Balkans following disastrous flooding in the region and sent humanitarian aid to Albania as requested by the Albanian government.
http://www.euronews.net/2010/01/11/catastrophic-flooding-hits-balkans/
http://www.turkishny.com/english-news/5-english-news/41812-turkey-to-send-humanitarian-aid-to-balkans
Conference of the Parties approves the Cancun Accords |
The 16th gathering of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16) within the scope of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Cancun, Mexico from November, 29 to December, 10. Delegates from 194 countries attended the conference. An accord, mainly developed by Mexican efforts, was adopted at the end of the conference. The non-binding accord was accepted by every country in spite of Bolivia's objections.
The most positive outcome of the conference is that UN has taken back its credibility in the field of Climate Change Talks. After the disaster in Copenhagen last year, there were severe concerns that the UN process in Climate Change might come to an unpleasant end.
The most tangible outcome is that the accords include a $30 billion-package for 2012 to aid nations taking immediate actions to halt effects of global warming, as well as financing for long-term projects to protect the environment through a Green Fund, which will provide $100 million annually for adaptation and mitigation measures.
Delegates also approved the creation of the forestry program Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) to facilitate the flow of resources to communities dedicated to forest conservation.
Despite all the process obtained in the conference, the accord is not a binding agreement and a binding treaty for post-Kyoto process (Kyoto expires in 2012) is desperately needed and yet to be achieved in COP17.
For further information, please visit: http://www.cc2010.mx/en/
Dialogs for Water and Climate Change |
During the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), held in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10, 2010, a series of relevant partners, led by the National Water Commission of Mexico, has come together to organize the Dialogs for Water and Climate Change. The Dialogs aimed to shed new light on the importance of water management for climate change adaptation.
In order to wrap up the outcomes of the panels, a synthesis team was formed during the conference. This team was made up of 12 individuals from different organizations and sectors, areas of expertise and geographical scope, brought together with the mission of summarizing the main substantive outcomes of the D4WCC. The results of the synthesis team's analysis of the D4WCC go as follows:
Climate science informs us that the hydrological cycle will be the main medium through which climate change expresses itself. Water-related impacts will be felt by everyone. Many crucial sectors related to water will have to adapt to these changes: agricultural production practices must adapt to cope with climate change, hydropower production must be climate-proofed and livelihoods of vulnerable societies and economies (both coastal and urban) must be adequately protected against water-related hazards and changed water quality and availability.
Mexico, with its partners, took a leadership role in organizing the Dialogs for Water and Climate Change (D4WCC) during the UNFCCC COP-16. These Dialogs were meant to discuss the implications and responses of climate change through water. The Dialogs have shaped an emerging climate and water agenda, which includes the following points:
1. It is critical that water and the impacts of climate change on water resources and services are considered in development planning at the regional, national and local scales and in all water-affected sectors.
2. Under the changing climate, it is of prime importance to assess and reduce water-related risks and vulnerabilities in other fields, including agriculture, energy, health, environment, urban water utilities, development, planning and others, under the reality of uncertainties about the precise nature, magnitude and timing of impacts.
3. Institutional arrangements should be adapted to the new conditions, which implies close linkages between ministries of environment, water, energy, agriculture, planning, health, etc, including NAPAs, PRSPs, NSDSs and IWRM plans.
4. The three I's (Institutions, Information and Infrastructure) should be addressed in any development planning as packages of key elements.
5. Well-functioning watersheds and aquifers can be incorporated into planning as natural infrastructure to increase the resilience to impacts.
6. Information needs to be developed, supplied and tailored to the needs of the users.
7. Water is also an important aspect of mitigation and should be taken into consideration when working on this agenda.
These are the main points discussed during the D4WCC.
Mexico and the participants of these dialogs will elaborate and carry forth this agenda on development under uncertain changing hydrological conditions. The water community is ready to listen and act in cooperation with and subsidiary to the climate change negotiations.
For further information, please visit: www.d4wcc.org.mx
NATIONAL WORKHOP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT TAKES PLACE IN KYRGYZSTAN |
The modernization of the water management sector has been top of the agenda of Kyrgyzstan. A national workshop gathering all stakeholders on "Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management(IWRM)" has focused on mechanisms and procedures for practical applications.
According to Central Asia and Russia Civil Society Network CARNet, in January 2005 Kyrgyz Water Code was adopted which is based on IWRM principles. However the Water Code is only a framework document and legal regulations covering the details of implementation is necessary. The Project "Promoting IWRM and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia" was launched in 2009 by EU/UNDP and will run until 2012. In the framework of this Project a national workshop was held at the capital Bishkek and management of the Water and Melioration State Committee of the Kyrgyz Repu, its regional institutions, NGOs, representatives of EU, UNDP participated. To facilitate the implementation of the IWRM in the region and support regional dialogue on water related matters were discussed.
(http://europeandcis.undp.org/environment/wg/show/213FA609-F203-1EE9-B6CFDBE3DDC27A6D)
SAFE DRINKING WATER TO UZBEKISTANS 8 VILLAGES BY TİKA (TURKISH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY) |
Infrastructure is the prominent water problem of Central Asia. Water facilities dating back to Soviet era does not provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation. TİKA that has accomplished two water projects at Tajikistan is now focusing at Uzbekistan's 8 villages. Almost 50 thousand Uzbek will finally have clean, tap water.
According to TİKA's website www.tika.gov.tr, projects for building new and maintain and strengthen the existing infrastructure have been elaborated with the cooperation of leading NGO of Uzbekistan EKOSAN(International Environment and Health Fund). The villages that will benefit from this project are as follows: Aşamaylı (Karakalpakistan autonomous republic),Lalezar (Cizzah province), Şursay (Surhanderya province),Muhomon (Harezm province), Uyas (Tashkent province), Old Tashkent, Raboçiy Gorodok and Yengiabad-Medeniyet.
A delivery ceremony has been organized where the Ambassador of Turkey to Uzbekistan Mehmet Sertaç Sönmezay, TİKA Uzbekistan Programme Coordinator Dr.Bekir Demir, President of EKOSAN Zaribcan Koziyev, Turkish businessmen, local administration representatives, Turkish and Uzbek press participated. TİKA has supplied all the technical and construction material. A cooperation protocol has been signed among TİKA and EKOSAN. Restoration of the wells at these villages will be settled by EKOSAN and municipalities.
IRAN CALLS FOR FORMING WATER COMMISSION WITH AFGHANISTAN AND TAJIKISTAN |
Iranian Energy Minister Majid Namjou called for the formation of a tripartite commission among Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan over water issues, the semi- official ISNA news agency reported.
After meeting with his Afghan and Tajik counterparts in Tehran last weekend, Namjou said since there are common concerns over water issue among the three countries, the formation of a high commission is a necessity, said the report. The high commission can observe the regulation systems and the laws concerning the water issues in each of these three countries, he added. Iran has suggested the commission be formed within the following two weeks and the joint strategies would be developed accordingly, Namjou was quoted as saying.
INTERESTING TRANSPORT OF PLANT CONSTRUCTION
Iran started the construction of a hydropower plant Sangtuda-2 over the Vakhsh river of TTaijkistan in 2008. Because of Uzbekistan blockage of transport by railway, Tehran has started
Sending 75 ton electronic equipment of the plant by airplane. For transformers and each weighing 140 ton turbines special transport planes were acquired for flying the equipment to Dushanbe. İran and Tajikistan have invested total 220 million dollar for the 220 megawatt plantt aand it will start producing electricity hopefully this year.
Seeking for Cooperation for Water and Environment in the Middle East |
An International Workshop on Regional Cooperation for Water and Environment in the Middle East was held in Sanliurfa, Turkey on 26-27 September, 2010. The workshop was hosted by the India-based Strategic Foresight Group and co-hosted by AK Party of Turkey and the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI). Other supporters were the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with Political Affairs Division IV (Human Security) of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Swedish Agency for International Development (Sida).
The two-day workshop gathered prominent decision makers, parliamentarians and opinion makers from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. The discussions were shaped around four main topics: Institutional Architecture for Regional Cooperation in Water and Environment for Socio-Economic Development, Best Practices in Demand Management: Mutual Learning, Cooperating to Combat Climate Change and Drought, and Opportunities for Inter-regional Water Trade in National Waters of Turkey.
The Sanliurfa Workshop was the third in the series of workshops to bring together key stakeholders from the Middle East. The first meeting of the series was held in Montreux, Switzerland, on February 15-16, 2010. This was followed by a High Level Plenary on ‘Our Common Future: Water, Environment and Energy Community' organized at the WANA Forum on May 17, 2010 in Amman, Jordan, where HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan introduced the concept of Concentric Circles of Cooperation as a solution "to break the political deadlock in the region". He recommended that each circle should consist of countries that are part of the "same political dynamic" and that the first such circle could be formed by Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan for the sustainable management of water and environment. He also suggested the establishment of an independent regional entity with a mandate to introduce practical measures of cooperation.
The Sanliurfa Workshop took the process a step further by recommending the establishment of a regional entity to facilitate cooperation and policy coordination between the countries of the suggested first circle of cooperation with an aim to contribute to peace and sustainability in the region. However, the parties could not reach an agreement on the structure of such an entity, with regards to whether it should be a think tank, a council or a mechanism. Representatives of Turkey underlined the fact that the suggested regional entity could function as a think tank for exchange and standardisation of data, capacity building, data processing, etc. Neither there was a consensus on whether the suggested regional entity should directly involve governments or not.
The workshop concluded that as a next step, representatives from each country should consult their national decision makers and make an assessment of political will to support the formation of the suggested regional entity.