TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE DNIESTR RIVER

Project objective Facilitate development of cooperation between the Dniestr riparian states on the management of the Dniestr river basin. Contribute to confidence building in the region To raise the international attention to the river basin, attract funding for selected priorities

Background International law on transboundary water courses 1994 Agreement on Transboundary waters. 1993 Protocol on Cooperation between Ministries of Environment Draft convention proposed by Moldova. Strong NGO involvement International attention focusing on Donau, Dneper and Prut rivers. Transdniestrian problem

Project partners National working Groups Ministries of Environment Hydro meteorological services State Water Committee/Concern Local authorities Civil society National experts OSCE and UNECE International and local experts

Approach 5 bilateral meetings Expert input Report writing Result: Agreed report on the state of the river basin, its problems and their solutions Agreed set of recommendations for future collaboration

Progress to date First meeting in Chisinau 15 September 2004. Draft background paper Agreement on procedure Development of web site Second meeting in Kiev 21 November 2004 Report drafting Begun consolidating recommendations Proceed with development of legal base in parallel Involvement of additional players Third meeting in Moldova March 2005