Ohrid region experiences and lessons learned Zamir Dedej, Albanian Ministry of Environment Dejan Panovski, Project Coordinator LOCP Macedonia

Lake Ohrid Location: 41° 05' , 20 ° 45' Altitude: 659 m a.s.l. Area: 358 km² form which: 1/3 belongs to Albania, 2/3 to Macedonia Shoreline: 88 km: 31.5 km 56.5 km Maximal length: 30 km Maximal width: 14.5 km Maximal depth: 289 m Mean depth: 164 m Volume 58 km3 Retention time: over 80 years Origin: tectonic The age: 4-10 mio year old Trophic state: oligotrophic

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS Pressure from human activities 200,000 inhabitants are living in the area around the LO and its watershed (5 times more than half century ago) The socio-economic level of the population The hot issues reflected in the environment Phosphorous & Bacterial pollution Industrial activities Urban solid waste Agriculture activities (water problems and pollution) Illegal activities (logging, hunting and fishing) Destruction of lakeshore lines and habitats Decline of fish catch and animals

The activities under the LOCP were a strong political process of establishing the sustainable management of the natural recourses in transboundary aspect. Cooperation in protection of natural recourses (environment as a vehicle) - is the easiest way to establish political cooperation in transboundary regions , which is good basic for prevention of some potential conflicts

Achievement under LOCP Establishment of joint institutions for the project management (LOMB, ISTF, MTF) Unification of procedures for water monitoring in Lake Ohrid and its tributaries (Joint Protocols for sampling analyzing and quality assurance) Improvement environmental legislation, regulations, standards with EU Directives; First Joint State of Environment Report on LO and its watershed, contribution of 50 scientists and experts of both countries. New Monitoring Laboratory on the Albanian side Joint Agreement for the Protection and Sustainable Develop of Lake Ohrid and its Watershed, that would establish an international LO Management Agency, empowered with legal authority in Albania, Macedonia, and in the future, Greece. Many Joint NGO-s projects for public awareness and participation, including the establishment of 21 June as “Lake Ohrid Day” The twining of Pogradec with Ohrid and Struga towns

THE PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF THE LAKE OHRID WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

What we learned during this period? We know each other in all the level; Creation of the bi and three lateral organisms; We identify the main threats of the region and describe the way to avoid and mitigate them; We produce a lot of common document; Identify the local government and NGOs as important actors for achieving the goals; Etc.

New approaches The recognition of the international and European principles (precautionary principle, ecosystem approach, partnership, etc) Integration of environmental issues into economical goals; Collaboration between the decision making and the local authorities with the emphasis of capacity building; To facilitate, provide and share information with all the stakeholders; Try to involve the donors community with realistic and strong implementing projects; Increase the role of the existing bi and three lateral structure in order to facilitate the collaboration; Etc.

Thank you !