In the framework of Component1 of the programme “Transboundary Water Management in Central Asia” – Fostering regional institutional cooperation, the project on “Regional Dialogue and Cooperation in Water Resources Management” is implemented in cooperation with UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This project presents contribution to implementation of the EC IFAS activities aimed at the institutional and legal strengthening of IFAS and its organizations.

Although there are already institutions in Central Asia that regulate matters of water distribution, such as the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea, their work is hampered by their weak position in the political system. No universally recognized and implemented guidelines are in place for the water sector. The programme tackles precisely this issue: not only are the water sector institutions to be strengthened, for instance by defining more clearly their mandate and mission, but plans of action and codes of conduct will also be produced. This component is being implemented in close cooperation with UNECE.

The project consists of the following interrelated subcomponents-objectives:

• Comprehensive integrated study of the work of regional water management organizations and institutions;
• Comprehensive integrated analysis of corresponding regional, water resource and bilateral legal acts, institutional and legal reforms;
• Preparation for elaboration of the Aral Sea Basin Program-3 (ASBP-3).

It is planned that implementation of this Project will result in development of recommendations for increasing effectiveness in work of the regional water management organizations and institutions, and legal foundations for regional cooperation.

Implementation of the project is carried out by the Executive Committee IFAS (EC IFAS).

The project activities include:

• setting up a Working group, including national and regional experts;
• preparation of a review of regional and basin water management bodies which includes recommendations on their strengthening and preparation of a study of corresponding regional, basin and bilateral judicial agreements, including recommendations on their modernization;
• organizing consultations in the countries on the threshold of the meeting of the Working group on strengthening institutional and legal basis of IFAS and development of the ASBP-3;
• conducting meetings of the Working group on strengthening institutional and legal basis of IFAS and development of the ASBP-3.

The Working group of experts was established in August 2009. To date, three meetings of the Working group of national, regional and international experts were held. The first meeting took place on the 10-11 December 2009 in Almaty and was committed to discussion of issues on improving the institutional and legal frameworks of IFAS based on the review study implemented by the international consultants, and issues related to elaboration of the ASBP-3.

The review study resulted in the Discussion note, which included analysis of IFAS regional institutions and their legal basis; the document was disseminated to the interested ministries and serves as a working paper.

In the period before the Second Working group meeting, in February- March national consultations were held in the IFAS member-states. The second meeting of the Working group took place on April 20-22, 2009. The experts produced preliminary recommendations under the forth direction of the ASBP-3 – Strengthening the legal and institutional mechanisms.

During the Third Working group meeting the experts presented position of the countries and expressed their views regarding possible options to improving cooperation mechanism at the regional level. Members of the Expert group discussed the work plan for 2010-2011 on improving the structure and statutes of IFAS. The next phase includes preparation of conceptual proposals, including clear articulation of approaches to their implementation.

On the basis of the project outcomes the Executive Committee IFAS plans to present proposals on making amendments to the constitutional documents of IFAS according to item 1.3.5. of the EC IFAS Activities Plan, approved by the IFAS Board on December 3^rd 2009, as well as proposals on the ASBP-3 structure and documents on elaboration of this Program according to item 3.1. of the Plan.

See relevant working documents:

Discussion paper on strengthening institutional and legal frameworks of IFAS. Review and Proposals discussion_note_eng.pdf [325,39 Kb]

Report on the First meeting of the Working group on strengthening institutional and legal frameworks of IFAS and the development of the Aral Sea Basin Program-3, December 10-11, 2009 report_first_working_group_eng.pdf [195,85 Kb]

Report on the Second meeting of the Working group on strengthening institutional and legal frameworks of IFAS and the development of the Aral Sea Basin Program-3, April 20-22, 2010 report_second_working_meeting_eng.pdf [351,41 Kb]
Report on the First meeting of the Working group on the revision of statutory documents of IFAS, October 23, 2010 report_expert-group_rus_23.10.2010.pdf [488,33 Kb]

Report on the Second meeting of the Working group on the revision of statutory documents of IFAS, March 22-23, 2011 report_expert-group_eng_23.03.2011.pdf [40,12 Kb]