Water Convention & Protocol on Water and Health

27/07/2026

Water in Uzbekistan is under mounting pressure. Only 32% of domestic wastewater is safely treated, and roughly 80% of Uzbekistan's water resources flow in from beyond its borders. This double-landlocked country is among the world’s most water-stressed countries. Climate change is intensifying an already fragile balance.💧

Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan took a decisive step forward under the joint UNECE–WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health. At the second Technical Multistakeholder Workshop in Tashkent on 30 June 2026, the country refined its draft intersectoral water, sanitation, hygiene and health targets through a broad consultative process, paving the way for their finalization and adoption in the remaining months of 2026. This progress was made possible under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) funded project on water and sanitation and protection of water resources from accidental pollution in the face of climate change implemented by UNECE. This is an excellent example of how SDC assistance in Central Asia can help people live healthier, more dignified lives. 🌍



Ekologiya qo‘mitasi・Комитет по экологии
Министерство здравоохранения Республики Узбекистан
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uzbekistan
Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan in Geneva
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations UNDP Uzbekistan UN Uzbekistan UNECE
Swiss Development & Cooperation

Iulia Trombitcaia, Sonja Köppel, Nataliya Nikiforova, Paola DEDA, Francesca Bernardini, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Armin Bigham Ghazani, Nicole Klaesener-Metzner ,Valentina Grossi, Tolganay Rysbekova, Cassandra Murrell, Leonid Kalashnyk, Elena Kashine, Shamshod Yunusov,

15/05/2026

Vladimir Cuc, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations in Geneva

11/03/2026

🌊🤝Building Capacity for Hydromorphological Monitoring in Albania and Montenegro

In February, we had the pleasure of convening the Binational Workshop on Hydromorphological Monitoring for Albania and Montenegro (Tirana, 25–26 February 2026), organized under the framework of the UN .

During two days of rich exchanges, hands‑on learning, and expert dialogue, participants from both countries—together with international specialists—explored methodologies, institutional roles, and practical approaches for hydromorphological monitoring.

📸 The field exercise on the Erzen River was a particular highlight, bringing theory to life and sparking discussion on the assessment results.

This workshop stands as a strong example of concrete technical support on transboundary water cooperation that the Water Convention can provide by connecting countries with expertise, fostering peer learning, and strengthening the foundations for joint monitoring and future collaboration.

The workshop was made possible through funding from Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (Italian Ministry for Environment and Energy Security) and technical support from the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), ICPDR, and Università di Trento.

A warm thanks to all participants and contributors for excellent presentations and active engagement throughout the workshop.



Agjencia e Menaxhimit te Burimeve Ujore Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Uprava za vode Zavod za hidrometeorologiju i seizmologiju Crne Gore

Photo credit: Erik Aarnos

11/03/2026

💡 How are new technologies and innovations transforming the way we monitor and manage shared waters? Join us in Geneva to explore practical solutions and exchange insights!

🌍 Global Workshop on the Use of New Technologies and Innovations for Monitoring, Assessment and Data-sharing in Transboundary Basins

📅 Geneva | 5–6 May 2026

🔗 Information, documents and registration link: https://bit.ly/4louni8

Co-organized by the UN , together with and , and with financial support from the , the workshop will:
🔹Showcase practical applications of new technologies and innovative approaches in shared basins.
🔹Examine the enabling environment needed for successful technology uptake.
🔹Discuss opportunities and challenges related to emerging tools such as and .
🔹Strengthen cooperation and partnerships, feeding into global processes, such as the .

We're happy to partner with International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO/RIOB), IW:LEARN, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Joint Research Centre under the European Commission, UN Environment Programme, The World Bank, and World Meteorological Organization, ensuring an impactful, global exchange of experiences.

The workshop will be held back-to-back with the 21st Meeting of the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment (7 May), creating a strong bridge to intergovernmental dialogue.

⚠️Deadline for financial support requests: 18 March 2026.

21/01/2026

We are delighted to welcome Kazakhstan as the 30th Party to the Protocol on Water and Health, marking a significant milestone for water, sanitation and health across Central Asia!

Joining the Protocol provides a robust framework to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure safe, sustainable and equitable water and sanitation services for all. Kazakhstan’s leadership adds momentum to regional cooperation and action towards SDG 6 — clean water and sanitation for all. We look forward to supporting the country as it sets national targets, strengthens monitoring, and implements practical measures to protect public health and build resilience.

👏 Congratulations to Kazakhstan, and welcome to the Protocol community!



UNECE World Health Organization (WHO)

Photo Credit: Natalia Golovko

02/01/2026

The Khrami–Debed(a) Basin shared by & faces a number of environmental pressures, including the lack of wastewater treatment from both households and industries; pollution from mining activities, releasing heavy metals into the river system; agricultural runoff (fertilizers, pesticides) affecting water quality; and illegal landfills, whose leachate contaminates surface and groundwater.

An agreement signed, with UNECE support, by the two countries on 3 December on transboundary water monitoring in the basin will establish a network of monitoring sites; align sampling parameters, laboratory methods, and reporting practices; and ensure regular data exchange and joint assessments.

This is just one example of the practical support to countries under the United Nations , whose secretariat is serviced by UNECE.

Read more about the practical impacts of this cooperation: https://unece.org/media/press/410107

Water Convention & Protocol on Water and Health UN-Water UN Armenia - ՄԱԿ-ի հայաստանյան գրասենյակ UN Georgia Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN

Photo credit: Alexander Zinke

22/12/2025

As a landlocked country in , shares common regional challenges, incl. scarcity & stress, ageing & limited availability of on water.

In this context, the country has been advancing work under the UNECE–WHO Regional Office for Europe Protocol on Water and through the development of a national baseline analysis on water, , and health.

▶️https://unece.org/environment/press/turkmenistan-reviews-water-sanitation-hygiene-and-health-baseline-analysis

Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) UN Turkmenistan United Nations ESCAP Water Convention & Protocol on Water and Health

04/12/2025

Armenia refines its national water strategy at the National Policy Dialogue on Water: a Blueprint for green growth and biodiversity

On December 3, 2025 the Ministry of Environment of Armenia held the 23rd Meeting of the National Policy Dialogue on Water, supported by the European Union. Organised as part of EUenv Green Diplomacy Weeks in Armenia, this year's dialogue brought together over 50 representatives from national institutions, the EU Delegation, UN agencies, and international donors.

The discussions focused on reviewing the latest developments in the National Water Strategy, identifying areas requiring international support, and strengthening the connection between water and biodiversity ahead of Armenia hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biodiversity in 2026.



https://www.eu4greenrecoveryeast.eu/index.php/news-opportunities-eu4greenrecoveryeast/48-armenia-refines-its-national-water-strategy-at-the-national-policy-dialogue-on-water-a-blueprint-for-green-growth-and-biodiversity

03/12/2025

Armenia and Georgia have formalized their cooperation on Transboundary Water Monitoring in the Khrami–Debed(a) River Basin, supporting sustainable management of this vital resource.

The signature of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 3 December 2025 is the culmination of over five years’ efforts facilitated by UNECE, under the UN Water Convention, and partners. The agreement marks a major step forward for coordinated water protection efforts between the two countries.

The Khrami–Debed(a) Basin faces a number of environmental pressures, including the lack of wastewater treatment from both households and industries; pollution from mining activities, releasing heavy metals into the river system; agricultural runoff (fertilizers, pesticides) affecting water quality and illegal landfills, whose leachate contaminates surface and groundwater.

This MoU will establish a harmonized network of monitoring sites at key points along the border; align sampling parameters, laboratory methods, and reporting practices; and ensure regular data exchange and joint assessments.

Improving water quality in the Khrami–Debed(a) Basin will bring concrete benefits for people and businesses on both sides of the border, including better public health, through reduced exposure to contaminated drinking water and polluted riverbanks; safer agricultural production, reducing risks linked to polluted irrigation water; and improved conditions for SMEs, tourism, and local services relying on clean water.

Work towards the MoU started in 2019 following a request for support addressed to UNECE, which led to technical workshops, establishment of a working group between the two countries, a series of field surveys, involving surface and ground water monitoring exercises, capacity building events and negotiations on the text of the MoU and accompanying Khrami-Debed(a) Joint Monitoring Guide.

While neither Armenia nor Georgia are Parties to the UN Water Convention, this cooperative process illustrates how countries can benefit from the Convention’s expertise and its role as a platform for joint water management.

https://unece.org/environment/press/armenia-and-georgia-sign-agreement-transboundary-water-monitoring-khrami-debeda

27/11/2025