On the 17th - 18th of November 2005, the Government of Armenia hosted a conference of Ministers of Economy/Finance, Environment and Water. Ministers met to discuss how to address the critical situation of the water sector in EECCA countries, particularly how to finance much-needed improvements. The meeting examined progress in light of a set of guiding principles they had adopted at an earlier meeting in Almaty in 2000. Documentation prepared for the meeting suggested that while there had been some progress, overall the situation remained critical and that on present trends the water-related MDGs would not be met. Discussions focused on key financing options and how to implement change at the local level. Other issues were also addressed: how far can user charges be increased without running into affordability problems? Public money will be essential, but what can be done to ensure that it is used effectively? How can local authorities and water utilities function more efficiently? Is there a role for the private sector?

Information on two events that were preceding the Ministerial conference can be accessed here:

• Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships in the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector of EECCA

Various side events were organised on the margins on the Conference (please see the Overview of the Week's Events). At one of them, on the 17th November, UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley launched internationally Partners for Environmental Cooperation in Europe (PECE), a UK initiative bringing together public sector, private sector and interest groups to establish project partnerships which will provide practical, on-the-ground help and promote sustainable development in the EECCA region. For more information, please read the news release.

Conference documentation

• Press release
• Agenda
• Issues paper
• Chaimans' summary
• Conference Proceedings

Background papers

1. Progress on implementing the Almaty Guiding Principles for the Reform of the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector in EECCA
2. Meeting the MDG Drinking Water and Sanitation Target in the EECCA region – A goal within Reach?
3. Water supply and sanitation in rural areas of EECCA
4. Reform of Water Supply and Sanitation in EECCA at the Municipal Level 
5. Financing options for the water supply and sanitation sector in EECCA
6. Position Paper by The International Private Sector on its Role in The Reform of Water and Wastewater Utilities in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
7. Domestic Private sector Position Paper
8. Assessing the costs and benefits of water supply and sanitation improvement in EECCA (contributed by the World Health Organisation)
9. NGO Position paper

Presentations and Speeches:

Opening Speech by Mr. Lorents Lorentsen

Statement by Minister Counsellor Dr Robert Kokalj, Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office

 

• NGOs Position on the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform in EECCA,Olga Ponizova
• Reforms in the water supply and sewerage sector in the Republic of Armenia,Andranik Andreasyan
• Development of Water Supply and Sanitation in the Russian Federation, Yury TyrtyshovNGOs Position on the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform in EECCA,Olga Ponizova
• Are the MDGs a useful tool to structure partnerships in WSS sector?, Jamal Saghir
• The Path Towards Improved Cost Recovery In Poznań, Poland, Tomasz J. Kayser Are the MDGs a useful tool to structure partnerships in WSS sector?, Jamal Saghir
• Health and Water in EECCA, Roger AertgeertsPrivate Business Development in the Russian Water Sector, Sergei Sivaev

Statement by Minister Counsellor Dr Robert Kokalj, Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office 

Development of Water Supply and Sanitation in the Russian Federation, Yury Tyrtyshov