Country Reports of 2011 activities were given by the each CWPs by country coordinators. Activities ranged from organization of workshops, training to various agencies at national, local level and different sector stakeholders. Also, some CWPs were requested to provide consultations to national and local authorities, and commenting of water policy related documents.
The reporting on activities significantly improved (comparing the last year) and both the substance and format of national reports was in line with GWP strategic goals, progress markers and outputs; there was an effort to fill out a Progress markers table, but due to a limited time this will be done by email (Council members are clear how and why to document the progress in this table). Most of events were focused on awareness raising for IWRM (IWRM dialogues).
Public awareness campaigns in all eight countries were addressed to water authorities (Hydromet Services, Basin Administration). Most activities are welcomed and supported by the governments. In addition, all workshops and conferences were attended by variety of stakeholders. While activities in Central Asia are focused on water – agriculture (irrigation) – energy nexus and capacity building of newly established basin committees, the Caucasus region deals with water pollution and sanitation problems. Most of CWPs are also involved in other international projects (under GIZ, UNDP, UNECE, USAID, JICA, ADB, WB) and CWP succeeded to make add value rather than to duplicate agendas of other projects (it should be noted that most international projects regard transboundary cooperation and IWRM, but practical work is later tied to narrow agenda and interests of funding organizations).
Regional Coordinator Vadim Sokolov reported on regional activities focused on preparation of 6th WWF in Marseille. The Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia (ICWC) requested GWP CACENA to facilitate agreement on substantive documents (Solutions) for the Forum in behalf of Central Asia and also to recommend representatives of NGOs from 5 Central Asia countries to be invited by the International Forum Committee. Specifically, GWP CACENA was invited to draft the document: “Solutions to IWRM practice for sustainability in Central Asia”. There is also a request that GWP CACENA will take an active part in the regional session (Input of Central Asia to the World Water Progress), which included into Forum’s agenda on 15 March 2012. It is an initiative of ICWC and IFAS that requested a proper support from GWP CACENA as recognized IWRM knowledge provider.
GWP CACENA Work Plan and Budget 2012: The Regional Council reviewed submitted by Regional Secretariat the 2012 Work Plan and Budget which were formally adopted.
RC meeting also discussed internal administrative and communication issues, and some principal external issues. It was noted that GWP(O) is walking out from a strong support to IWRM – however, this is still the most important focus of CACENA region, therefore most of activities will focus on awareness raising, enhancement of capacities of water authorities, and a promotion of IWRM principles to out-of-water box stakeholders. Council members expressed their disappointment about a weak visibility of GWP at the WWF (with the clear statement on IWRM aspects). They also request to make a support (in substance) to GWP CACENA (and other RWPs) regarding the visibility and agenda of GWP in Rio+20.
Visit of GWP Secretariat officers (Danka Thalmeinerova and Sandra Lindholm) to GWP CACENA Secretariat and host institute IWMI in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. December 13-16 2011. The main goal of this mission was to review all administrative and financial arrangements executed by Regional Secretariat. As a result – there were given certain recommendations on better routine processes.
