Steering Committee meeting discussed the state of water management reforms that the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) helped to design. Over 60 representatives of different stakeholders and donors involved in improving the water resources situation in Tajikistan attended the meeting, which was chaired by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Mr. Usmonali Usmonzoda.  Participants expressed satisfaction with the recently implemented institutional changes in water management.

The first step of the reform was implemented in late 2013, when the functions of water sector policymaking and the management of the irrigation infrastructure were divided, ending the potential conflict of interests that existed when the same institution was responsible for both water policy and managing water infrastructure. The next stage of the reform will concentrate on making the necessary changes in legislation to implement the principles of integrated water resources management. The Steering Committee meeting adopted the proposals on the scope of changes needed in the Water Code, proposed by the UNECE-funded national working group.

Press release of the meeting is available in English and Russian.