Recent floods, in particular, have highlighted the need for such closer transboundary cooperation. Ministers and Deputy Ministers responsible for water issues from Albania, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo (UNSC 1244) and Montenegro signed the Memorandum, which represents a significant step forward in the development of transboundary cooperation in the Drin Basin. The Drin Dialogue process which was set up in 2009 to look into the many competing interests and challenges the Riparians are facing and which led to the signing of the Strategic Vision, is facilitated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med); the UNDP provides technical support. The process for the enhancement of the transboundary cooperation in Drin had been initiated already in 2006 with the assistance of the German Ministry of Environment and GEF IWLEARN. Competing uses for the water resources of the basin need to be addressed. Hydropower is of particular importance, with major dams and associated power stations in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and in Albania, where hydropower accounts for more than 85 per cent of the total electricity supply. In addition, the basin faces a number of threats to its water quality, such as pollution mainly from agriculture and discharges of untreated wastewater from cities. The exceptional biodiversity and endemic species of the Drin Basin are also under threat without improved and coordinated management of the ecosystem. The Shared Strategic Vision identifies the challenges at the transboundary level such as:
• Improving access to comprehensive data and adequate information
• Developing cooperation and measures to minimize flooding
• Improving management and appropriate disposal of solid wastes
• Decreasing pollution of nutrients and hazardous substances such as heavy metals and pesticides
• Minimizing the effects of the building of dams and other changes of the water system.
The Shared Strategic Vision includes specific objectives in the short, medium and long term and institutes the Drin Core Group with representation from all Riparians to manage its implementation; GWP-Med has been entrusted the Secretariat of the Drin Core Group.
The signing took place during a Multi-stakeholder Consultation Meeting of the Drin Dialogue, with the participation of representatives from the riparian countries: national, regional and local authorities, related economic sectors, water users associations, academia, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, as well representatives of international organizations and donor countries. Mr. Marco Keiner, Director of the ECE Environment Division, and Prof. Michael Scoullos, Chairman, Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean, also participated in the signing ceremony.
Note to editors
The Drin Dialogue is a structured consultation process that aims to develop a shared vision among Riparians and stakeholders for the sustainable management of the Drin Basin. The Drin Dialogue is facilitated by UNECE and the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med) using the platform of the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) and the Petersberg Phase II/Athens Declaration Process. It is part of the work programmes of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI) and the GEF MedPartnership and is financially supported by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The Drin Core Group, with representatives from all Riparians, has guided the process to establish the Shared Strategic Vision for the sustainable management of the basin.
The Drin Basin covers a geographical area that includes Albania, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo (United Nations administered region, Security Council resolution 1244) and Montenegro. The Drin River is the connecting body of this water system, linking the lakes, wetlands, rivers and other aquatic habitats into a single ecosystem of major importance. The region is very rich in endemic species and exceptional in terms of biodiversity conservation, and so has great potential for the development of sustainable tourism.
The UNECE Water Convention is an important legal framework for transboundary water management in the pan-European region. The Drin Dialogue is part of its work programme. Currently, 35 countries and the European Union are Parties to the Convention.
The Global Water Partnership is an intergovernmental organization promoting integrated water resources management worldwide. GWP Mediterranean (GWP-Med) is a regional partnership bringing together competent organizations working on water issues in the Mediterranean region. Created in 2002, GWP-Med promotes and exchanges knowledge on integrated water resources management for the sustainable use of the region’s water resources. GWP-Med is the technical secretariat of the Petersberg Phase II/Athens Declaration Process for South-East Europe, a framework for the development of transboundary water cooperation in the region, and of MED EUWI. Furthermore it serves as the secretariat of the Drin Core Group.For more information, see http://www.gwpmed.org.
Contact information:
Dimitris Faloutsos Programme Coordinator for Southeastern Europe
Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean (GWP-Med)
12, Kyrristou str. 10556 Athens, Greece
T: +30210-3247490, -3247267 F: +30210-3317127
E-mail: secretariat@gwpmed.org
Web: www.gwpmed.org