The subregional workshop to share experience in the implementation of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health for countries of Central Asia was held on 21 and 22 October 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The workshop was organized jointly by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Government of Kazakhstan, with support from the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and the WHO/Europe secretariat. It was a fifth 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 30 decisions makers and experts representing the environment, water management and health sectors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan 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 Central Asia.