6 June 2013: The Implementation Committee under the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) has convened for its first meeting, during which delegates elected the Chair and Vice-Chair.

During its first meeting, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 5 June 2013, the Committee unanimously elected Attila Tanzi (Italy) as Chair of the Committee and Saghit Ibatullin (Kazakhstan) as the Committee’s Vice-Chair.

The Committee also discussed its role and mandate and encouraged Parties to the Water Convention and other stakeholders to come forward and seek its assistance, support and facilitation to address difficulties in implementing the Convention and in order to prevent water-related disputes.

According to UNECE, a unique advisory procedure enables the Committee to engage with countries seeking to resolve water issues in a non-confrontational manner, and provides for the involvement of non-Parties in the procedure upon their consent. [Implementation Committee Website] [UNECE Press Release]