The workshop focused on transboundary water resources management in southeastern Europe, highlighting the need for enhanced cooperation and integrated management of shared water resources. Key challenges include political instability, economic reforms, and stakeholder engagement, with ongoing initiatives like the UNECE Water Convention supporting collaborative efforts. GWP-Med and GWP-CEE are actively involved in projects aimed at promoting joint management of critical water basins, such as the Mesta/Nestos and Drin rivers.

1. Workshop on Goal 2: Addressing Critical Development Challenges 15 August 2009, GWP CP 2009 Transboundary Water Resources Management: Experiences in Southeastern Europe Joint Presentation by GWP-MED and GWP-CEE

2. Southeastern Europe

4. The region has a background of political instability and conflict. Most of the countries are still in the process towards establishing a well functioning market economy Some countries are EU members. In the Non-EU, major reforms guided primarily by the EU accession prospect have been initiated Economic growth has dictated choices for water resources management in many cases These have also influenced cooperation for transboundary water bodies 90% of water resources are shared by 2 or more countries in the SEE - On-going cooperation processes for the management of shared basins exists - GEF and donor financed projects support on-the-ground activities - Initiatives are active in the area e.g. UNECE Water Convention , Petersberg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process etc. Some background for Southeastern Europe

5. Create the conditions for and enhance cooperation for the integrated management of water resources at transboundary level Enhance IWRM at national level = the foundations for promoting integrated transboundary cooperation - Harmonization of rules and regulations for the management of shared basins - Joint assessment and monitoring - Involvement of local stakeholders - Establishment of sustainable institutions for the joint management of the shared basins - Benefit from the catalytic involvement of the international community for the enhancement of cooperation on the management of the shared basins, both at national and transboundary level Key challenges for shared water resources management

6. - Since 2005, GWP-Med has systematically developed multi-level action on TWRM in SEE in the framework of the Petersburg Phase II / Athens Declaration Process (Germany, Greece, WB, GEF, UNECE, UNDP, UNESCO) . - Priority areas of activities include : IWRM planning; shared groundwater management; multi-purpose management; water governance and civil society engagement; linkages to / promotion of the EU WFD. - Since it launching, the Process has engaged more than 150 partners and has materialized * 8 multi-stakeholder International Roundtables on different aspects * more than 10 Capacity Building Workshops with targeted audiences , * has produced more than 15 general and targeted assessments and capacity building materials . - Among current priority issues is the promotion of cooperation for the joint management of the Drin River Basin – an important and complex system . GWP-Med activities on TWRM in SEE

8. Stakeholders Transboundary Cooperation for Integrated Management of Mesta/Nestos Basin: A joint GWP-Med and GWP-Bulgaria project Bulgaria and Greece are taking measures to reach coordinated management of the Mesta / Nestos river basin on the basis of the relevant prerequisites of the EU WFD, the existing bilateral agreement and the international legal framework and practices. However, stakeholders involvement has been limited. A joint GWP-Med and GWP-Bulgaria project, supported by SDC, supported stakeholders engagement in an integrated approach and responding to the provisions of the EU WFD.

9. GWP CEE’s active role in the Danube River Basin - shared by 14 countries

10. Danube River Basin Management Plan 2009 (based on National Plans) GWP CEE contribution: Consultation processes with stakeholders Sustainable sanitation facilitation Toolbox role in the region

11. Consultation process with stakeholders GWP CEE involvement at Transboundary and Country levels Key stakeholders: National governments International River Basin Commissions Agriculture, industry, municipalities Practical measures to be identified in consultations with stakeholders Constraints – financial crisis, low awareness and interest