The workshop to share experience on the implementation of the UNECE/WHO-EURO Protocol on Water and Health between countries in Eastern Europe was held on 5-6 April 2011 in Minsk, Belarus. It was the first of a series of sub-regional workshops to be organized under the framework of the Protocol. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, in cooperation with the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization. The UNDP Office in Belarus provided assistance with the practical arrangements.

The overall goal of the workshop was 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.

The workshop allowed decision makers and experts representing the environment, water management and health sectors of Belarus, Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to exchange experience and discuss challenges related to the Protocol’s implementation. It focused, in particular, on the process of setting targets in accordance with article 6 of the Protocol on Water and Health, requiring Parties to establish national and/or local targets and target dates in different areas in order to achieve or maintain a high level for the protection of human health and well-being and for the sustainable management of water resources.

The workshop was attended by over 50 participants, responsible for, or involved in the implementation of the Protocol, and in particular in the process of target setting and reporting: governmental representatives, water and health managers, local authorities, national water/sanitation agencies/associations, representatives of academia, research institutes and non-governmental organizations.