30 November 2012: Parties to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (the Water Convention) concluded their sixth Meeting of Parties (MOP6) with the adoption of decisions on various issues, including a 2013-15 work programme.

The sixth MOP to the Water Convention, which took place from 28-30 November 2012, in Rome, Italy, adopted decisions on, inter alia: establishing an implementation committee; drafting of model provisions on transboundary groundwaters; accession by non-Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) countries; and the programme of work for 2013-2015.

On behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Andrey Vasilyev, UNECE, welcomed the opening of the Convention to non-ECE countries, and encouraged participants to join it and contribute to its further development. He also looked forward to the entry into force of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, stressing that the two Conventions should complement each other.

Iraq and Tunisia expressed interest in joining a global water convention, and many other participants expressed support for a global convention. In discussing views and expectations of a global convention, MOP6 Chair Sybille Vermont (Switzerland) suggested participants discuss input to a sustainable development goal on water.

At the MOP, Ukraine and Moldova signed a treaty on cooperation for sustainable management of the Dneister River Basin. Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo and Montenegro, facilitated by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Mediterranean and UNECE, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Drin River Basin.

The GWP highlighted several initiatives discussed at MOP6, including the EU Water Initiative (EUWI), national policy dialogues on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), the Protocol on Water and Health, and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins.

The UNECE Water Convention was established 20 years ago to strengthen national measures for the protection and ecologically sound management of transboundary waters. Over 300 representatives of more than 60 countries attended the MOP, which meets every three years. [UNECE Press Release] [UNECE Weekly Issue 506] [GWP Press Release] [IISD RS Coverage of MOP 6]