The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) commits to supporting the reform of water policies in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) countries. Sound water management is fundamental for the provision of safe water, livelihoods and sustainable energy sources. This commitment will contribute to achieving broader development goals, including water-related post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs prominently feature issues of water resources management, trans-boundary water cooperation and policy integration. The OECD will support economically, financially and environmentally sound management of water resources. This includes water management policies that support the adaptation to climate change. The COP21 climate conference stressed the importance of wise water management strategies, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
The commitment seeks to strengthen the economic and financial dimensions of water management in the EECCA region, including adaptation to climate change, by strengthening water institutions. The OCD will assist EECCA countries in improving water management through better economic regulation of water supply and sanitation, better allocation of roles between public and private actors, and less fragmentation in the water supply and sanitation sector.
The commitment falls under focus area 2, 4, 5, and 8 of the Batumi Initiative to promote the internalization of negative externalities and the sustainable use of natural capital; Shift consumer behaviours towards sustainable consumption patterns; develop clean physical capital for sustainable production patterns; and improve access to services, healthy living and well-being.
Implementing partners will include EU Water Initiative and UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The commitment is relevant to SDGs 3, 6, 13, and 14.