The subregional workshop to share experience in the implementation of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health for countries of the Caucasus was held on 27 and 28 May 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The workshop was organized jointly by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia, with support from the Global Water Partnership Georgia and the WHO/Europe secretariat. It was a fourth subregional workshop organized under the programme of work of the Protocol for 2011-2013 within the regional project supported by the Government of Finland.
The workshop provided an opportunity for more than 40 decision makers and experts representing the environment, water management and health sectors of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to exchange experience and discuss challenges related to the Protocol’s implementation.
The workshop specifically aimed to:
- Facilitate exchange of countries’ experiences on the regulatory, institutional and technical aspects connected with the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health, in particular in relation to the cooperation of the water, health and environment sectors;
- Share information on the process of development and adoption of targets under the Protocol, as well as on the implementation of measures to achieve such targets;
- Present, discuss and identify solutions for the main challenges in the process of setting targets and other issues related to the Protocol’s implementation;
- Discuss water and health issues common to all countries of the Caucasus.