Highlights of EUWI+ Assistance to Belarus in Implementing Water-Related SDGs

Highlights of EUWI+ Assistance to Belarus in Implementing Water-Related SDGs Nationalising Indicators to Monitor Progress in Implementing Sustainable Development Goal 6

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This document aims to share the progress made by Belarus with the wider EaP region noting that the integration of SDGs into national policy frameworks helps mobilise political support and allocate public funds required for the water sector.

Disclaimer This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or of the governments of the Eastern Partnership Countries.

EUWI+ The EU-funded programme European Union Water Initiative Plus for the Eastern Partnership (EUWI+) was launched in September 2016 to assist the 6 Eastern Partnership countries to approximate their legislation to the EU Water Framework Directive and its associated directives. Its objective is to improve the sustainable

EUWI+ E U W AT E R I N I T I AT I V E

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management of water resources with a focus on transboundary river basin management. The EUWI+ focuses on five thematic areas: 1. Legislation, policy development and institutional strengthening 2. Laboratory and monitoring systems strengthening 3. River Basin Management Plan development 4. River Basin Management Plan implementation 5. Public awareness, communication, and data/ information management EUWI+ is implemented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), both responsible for the implementation of Result 1, and an EU Member States Consortium comprising the Environment Agency Austria (UBA, Austria), the lead coordinator, and the International Office for Water (IOW, France), both responsible for the implementation of Results 2 and 3. The programme is co-funded

by Austria and France through the Austrian Development Agency and the French Artois-Picardie Water Agency.

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Introduction

Main outputs and outcomes l Improved database for management decisions: The adoption of methodologies for the

formation, including calculation, and the launch of a process for regular monitoring of the targets of 6.3‑6.5 indicators of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, has contributed significantly to improving the database for informing management decisions. This will facilitate timely implementation of SDG 6 in Belarus as an integral part of its water and socioeconomic development policies. l Enhanced links with the national Water Strategy: This work has provided a basis for

monitoring the implementation of specific objectives and tasks of the future national Strategy for Water Resources Management to 2030, in the Context of Climate Change. Strategy objectives are formulated in terms of targets for SDG 6, focusing on the sustainable use and protection of water resources.

Recommendations l The indicators of targets 6.3‑6.5 of SDG 6 can be used as Performance or Target Indicators

in several state and sectoral programmes related to the rational use and protection of water resources and the modernisation and development of water infrastructure systems.

Specifically: – The indicator for task 6.3.1 can be included in the state programme “Comfortable Housing and Favourable Environment” for 2016‑20 (sub-programme “Clean Water”). While indicators of tasks 6.1.1, 6.2.1 and 6.3.1 can be used as indicators of success for the 2021‑25 programme.

– Indicators of tasks 6.3.1, 6.3.2.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 could be considered as indicators of success of the state programme “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” for 2016‑20 and can be used for the 2021‑25 programme. l SDG 6 indicators for targets 6.1 and 6.2 should be improved and can then be embedded in the

future national Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy, scheduled for launch in 2021.

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Summary of SDG 6 Targets Background The work on SDG 6 indicators for targets 6.3-6.5, was implemented in 2018-19 under Result 1 of the EU-funded EUWI+ project with supervision from the OECD. It contributed to the Belarus’s efforts towards nationalising and implementing SDG 6 and other water related SDGs. Progress in this domain to July 2020 is presented in the publication titled Имплементация показателей целей устойчивого развития, связанных с водой: опыт Республики Беларусь (Implementing water-related SDG indicators: experience of the Republic of Belarus, available in Russian with a policy summary in English), prepared in 2020 by the Central Research Institute for Complex Use of Water Resources (CRICUWR) subordinated to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Minprirody) of Belarus.

This publication, is based on the report of an OECD-led study titled “Assistance to the Government of Belarus in nationalising indicators to monitor progress in implementing SDG 6.3-6.5” implemented by CRICUWR in 2018-19 as part of the work plan for Result 1 of EUWI+. It presents

the results of important first steps in the implementation of SDG 6 and the sustainable use and protection of water resources in Belarus. To that end, it presents the methodology for calculating and monitoring the indicators for SDG targets 6.3-6.5. It also examines integration into the State Water Cadastre (SWC) for automatically producing time series for the indicators. The document also provides recommendations on indicators for other SDG 6 targets and on using the indicators in strategic documents and transboundary agreements.

The central element of the study was the formation of national methodologies for calculating six indicators (6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2) for targets 6.3-6.5 of SDG 6. On 24 October 2019, the Inter-departmental Expert Group on Environmental Guidelines for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals discussed the methodologies which had been endorsed by the National Statistical Committee (Belstat). On 22 November 2019, the Collegium of Minprirody approved them for use and roll out in the country (Decision No. 91-P, Annex A).

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Summary of SDG 6 Targets

SDG 6 Targets – To ensure clean water and sanitation for all SAFE AND AFFORDABLE DRINKING WATER By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

IMPLEMENT INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.

END OPEN DEFECATION AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO SANITATION AND HYGIENE By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERRELATED ECOSYSTEMS By 2020, protect and restore waterrelated ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.

IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SAFE REUSE By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

EXPAND WATER AND SANITATION SUPPORT TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.

INCREASE WATER-USE EFFICIENCY AND ENSURE FRESHWATER SUPPLIES By 2030, substantially increase wateruse efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

SUPPORT LOCAL ENGAGEMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION MANAGEMENT Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

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Highlights Institutional framework and international context The 17 SDGs adopted under the Sustainable Development Agenda for 2016‑30 “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” provide continuity with respect to the previous 8 global Millennium Development Goals. Soon after adoption, an international approach was developed to establish a system of monitoring and reporting on the implementation of SDG tasks. The responsibility for assisting countries in “nationalising” SDGs was shared between respective international organisations, including several UN bodies (e.g. FAO, UNECE ) and OECD. Most international methodologies with respect to SDG 6 indicators are considered “Tier I” which are defined as being conceptually clear; an internationally established methodology for calculation and available reporting standards exist; and data regularly produced. An indicator falls under the “Tier II” category if countries do not regularly produce data. In Belarus, indicators under SDG tasks 6.1-6.3 are categorised as Tier II. The 2018-19 study under EUWI+ outlined the experiences of individual EU countries (such as Latvia, Lithuania,

Poland) and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) neighbours, in particular, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in adopting methodologies for monitoring nationally adapted SDG indicators and integrating them into environmental policy and implementing SDG 6. In the EECCA region, in 2016, the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which co‑ordinates the statistical activities of CIS countries, developed a list of 111 SDG indicators for the region. The committee produced these indicators in consultation with national statistical services. They were based on the Global List of SDG Indicators and considered their relevance to the countries of the region. The committee also added indicators not included in this list, but which could be used for monitoring.

Most neighbouring countries to Belarus are on their way to adapting and implementing international methodologies in national legislation. To date, for some Tier II indicators, the countries reviewed use so-called “proxy indicators”.

Proxy indicators are considered a variable used to stand in for one that is difficult to measure directly.

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Highlights

Belarus has been actively implementing the SDGs since 2017. It established a national Sustainable Development Council which includes representatives from 38 state bodies and other organisations, as well as from regional authorities that implement the SDGs. Belarus is now developing a national regulation on the SDGs and also invests in awareness raising throughout the population by advertising SDGs on banners and billboards.

Belarus uses state statistics to calculate SDG indicators. In 2018, Belstat developed a national Roadmap, according to which 26 state bodies are, in line with their competences, responsible for the formation of a national list of SDG indicators. At the same time, state bodies that implement each specific SDG define methodologies for calculating the indicators.

In 2018-19, Belstat established a platform for reporting on the SDGs both at the national and international levels.

State bodies are working on a list of national indicators for the SDGs. Belstat regularly updates this list, considering proposals from state bodies that implement individual SDGs. National methodologies for calculating individual indicators are included in the platform for reporting on SDGs as they are developed.

SDG indicators are monitored through the joint work of state bodies and local authorities, as well as by non-

governmental organisations and international partners.

The time series in the databases on the SDG indicators are assumed to date from 2000 (where possible). Belstat plans to update most of the data on SDG indicators annually.

Almost all environmental SDGs are assigned to Minprirody, but other state bodies also play a role. These include the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services, Ministry of Public Health, State Committee on Property, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy. SDG 6 and SDG 14 are directly devoted to water problems. . For Belarus, as a landlocked country, the main focus on the sustainable use of water resources is the implementation of SDG 6 and the formulation of national targets, along with indicators to assess progress towards achieving them.

In the framework of SDG 6, Belarus has identified 8 targets and 11 indicators as being particularly relevant.

Accordingly, they should all be used for monitoring progress at the national level. Based on the Roadmap for the development of statistics on the SDGs, Minprirody primarily implements targets 6.3‑6.5. Belstat monitors indicators for targets 6.1 and 6.2 (at the level of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of Households). Meanwhile, Minprirody works with Belstat and the State Committee on Property to monitor indicators for target 6.6.

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Highlights

Institutional framework and international context Regarding the adaptation of international methodologies, where feasible to do so, and the development of national methodologies for calculating and monitoring the indicators of targets 6.3‑6.5 of SDG 6, the work, carried out with support of the EUWI+ project, occurred in several stages: 1. Assessment of applicability of the indicators for targets 6.3-6.5 of SDG 6 from the Global List of Indicators recommended by the UN Stat for cross-country comparison with EECCA, CIS, and neighbouring countries.

2. Assessment of the possibility to apply indicators of tasks 6.3‑6.5 of SDG 6 from the Global List of Indicators at the national level in Belarus, and of the need to introduce nationally adapted (proxy) indicators. This includes analysis of international experience in the adaptation of international methodologies, for the formation and including calculation of the indicators, taking into account national statistical data availability.

Identification of the main domestic stakeholders in the formation of the indicators under consideration was also part of this exercise.

3. Development of draft methodologies for the formation and calculation of indicators (including proxies) of targets 6.3‑6.5 of SDG 6, and the construction of time series.

4. Agreement with relevant stakeholders on draft methodologies for the formation and calculation of indicators (including proxies) of SDG 6 targets 6.3-6.5, and official approval of these methodologies.

5. Integration of the approved methodologies into the SWC Information System to automate calculation of the corresponding indicators at different levels of aggregation (e.g. territorial-administrative, basin, economic activity) and producing time series.

6. Organisation of information exchange between interested public authorities, organisations within the Minprirody system, public groups, and citizens.

7. Proposals to include the developed indicators as performance or target indicators in the development of state sectoral strategies and programmes that address issues of rational use and protection of water resources and development of water infrastructure systems.

The study detailed the methodological approaches to the formation and calculation of the indicators under consideration at the national level. It defined and substantiated the level of aggregation for each indicator.

Finally, as a pilot testing of the methodologies, it calculated the values of indicators and built time series.

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Highlights

A key finding has been that international methodologies for indicators of tasks 6.3.1, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 can be fully applied at the national level, while a nationally adopted proxy indicator would be needed for task 6.3.2.

The study proposed a proxy indicator for 6.3.2.

In the Minprirody system, the following organisations are engaged in the formation, calculation and monitoring of indicators of tasks 6.3-6.5 of SDG 6: CRICUWR (indicators 6.3.1, 6.4.1, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2); Belhydromet and CRICUWR (indicator 6.3.2.1); and CRICUWR and the R&D Center for Geology (indicator 6.4.2).

The level of aggregation for each of the indicators under consideration, as well as the frequency of their calculation, was determined and justified. This process was based on the results of the formation of national methodologies and subsequent agreement with stakeholders. The possibility of different levels of aggregation of indicators means they can be used to assess progress in implementing various

tasks of SDG 6, both at territorial and basin levels. This allows their further use in state and sectoral programmes, and also for development and monitoring of river basin management plans (RBMPs).

At the design stage, the draft methodologies were discussed several times with Minprirody officers. These discussions took place at relevant expert meetings and at the first meeting of the National Interagency Co‑ordination Committee on Managing the Implementation in Belarus of the EUWI+ project (5 December 2018, Minsk).

Belstat endorsed the final version of the methodologies.

They were subsequently discussed at a meeting of the Inter-departmental Expert Group on the environmentrelated SDGs. Finally, the Collegium of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection approved methodologies for calculating indicators of targets 6.36.5 (tasks 6.3.1, 6.3.2.1, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2) on 22 November 2019 (Decision No. 91-P).

Using the proposed indicators for strategic planning and monitoring progress towards SDG 6 The study examined the possibility of using the nationalised indicators of SDG targets 6.3-6.5 for strategic planning and monitoring progress of Belarus towards SDG 6.

Firstly, the methodologies for calculating indicators for targets 6.3-6.5 were integrated into the computer-based SWC Information System in the “Calculation of SDG 6 indicators” section. Other main sections in the system are “Water Use”, “Register of Water Bodies of the Republic of Belarus” and “Catalogue of Water Protection Territories of Water Bodies.”

The CRICUWR regularly calculates national indicators of tasks 6.3.1, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 of SDG 6. It submits the data to Belstat for further placement on the national platform for reporting progress on SDGs. There is also a system of information exchange between organisations within and under the Minprirody. This exchange involves bodies for the formation, calculation and monitoring of the indicators for achieving SDG 6.3‑6.5 targets.

future national strategic documents. Relevant documents would be those that address the rational, sustainable use and protection of natural resources and the modernisation and development of water infrastructure systems. Related indicators could be included to help assess progress in achieving the set goals and targets.

Belarus develops national water policy in accordance with the following main strategic documents: l National Strategy for Sustainable Development for

the period to 2030 of the Republic of Belarus (NSSD2030), including its social, economic and environmental aspects. l Programme for Social and Economic Development of

the Republic of Belarus for 2016-20 (and upcoming new similar programme for the next period). l Environmental Protection Strategy of the Republic of

Belarus for the period until 2025. l Water Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for the period

To facilitate successful achievement of SDG 6, the indicators should also be included in key existing and

until 2020 (and the upcoming new water strategy until 2030).

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Highlights

State bodies are developing similar policy documents for a longer period. This creates a good opportunity to include indicators on targets 6.3-6.5 of SDG 6 in relevant strategies, programmes and plans.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection has proposed including individual SDG 6 targets in key strategic documents related to sustainable use of water resources. In particular, it proposed selected indicators of SDG 6 targets 6.3-6.5 as performance indicators for water use and protection in the NSSD-2035.

In addition, almost all indicators of targets 6.3-6.5 of SDG 6 were included as indicators of the implementation of specific targets of the draft Strategy for Water Resources Management in the Context of Climate Change for the period up to 2030 (Water Strategy until 2030). With regard to strengthening water resources management, the draft strategy emphasises several important tasks: l The need to achieve long-term water security. l The importance of providing the population with safe

drinking water (water of normative quality),reliable water supply in the required volumes to the economy, and safe disposal of wastewater. l To rehabilitate surface water bodies with poor and

satisfactory ecological status and achieve a “good” or higher ecological status.

With the support of EUWI+ and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the draft Water Strategy until 2030 is undergoing a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in 2020-21.

At regional (basin) level, RBMPs under development are including selected indicators of SDG 6 targets. In 2018, the CRICUWR developed the first draft of the Pripyat RBMP. It then refined and updated the draft in 2019-20 within the framework of the EUWI+ project with the support of EUWI+ Result 2. It contains, along with other performance targets for proposed activities in the Pripyat River basin, indicators for tasks 6.3.1 and 6.4.2 of SDG 6.

l UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of

Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki Convention), which entered into force for Belarus on 27 August 2003. The Convention is the first international legal instrument of a framework nature in the field of transboundary freshwater resources. l UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health

(PWH) to the Water Convention, to which Belarus acceded on on 22 April 2009. The PWH aims to promote at all levels (national, regional and international) the protection of human health and well-being within the framework of sustainable development by improving water management. This includes protecting water ecosystems and reducing the spread of water-related disease. l Presidential Decree No. 159 of 31 March 2009 designates

the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection as the bodies responsible for fulfilling the country’s obligations under the PWH. The national contact centre for the PWH is the republican unitary enterprise “Scientific and Practical Centre of Hygiene” of the Ministry of Health.

PWH provisions are carried out through establishment and publication of national and/or local targets. These identify norms and performance levels to be achieved or maintained for a high level of protection against water-related disease. The main target areas are listed in paragraph 2, article 6 of the PWH. In accordance with article 7 to the Protocol, Parties regularly report on their progress.

Each party to the PWH determines the areas in which it needs and sets targets. Since the PWH is directly oriented to the protection of human health and well-being within the framework of sustainable development, it has obvious connections with SDGs 1-6, 10-13 and 15-17. The closest link, however, is to SDGs 3 and 6. With support of the EUWI+ project, the country is updating national targets for implementation of the PWH, which will be approved in 2020. This is linked as much as possible to the indicators of SDG 3 and SDG 6 targets.

Belarus is also doing a lot of work in terms of implementing its obligations under bilateral and international agreements on issues of rational use and protection of transboundary waters, to which Belarus has acceded. These include the following:

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Recommendations

Recommendations Regarding further development of indicators for achieving SDG 6 and their integration into national strategic documents and cross-border agreements to which Belarus is a party, the following recommendations are proposed:

of Housing and Communal Services. Indicators of tasks 6.1.1, 6.2.1 and 6.3.1 can be used as indicators of success for 2021‑25 programme.

l To use SDG indicators as performance or target indicators in state and sectoral programmes to address issues related to the rational use and protection of water resources and the modernisation and development of water infrastructure systems. In particular, this includes the national Water Strategy to 2030.

l Indicators of tasks 6.3.1, 6.3.2.1, 6.4.2, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 can be considered as indicators of success of the state programme “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” for 2016‑20. The client for these indicators is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection. These indicators can also be used also in the 2021‑25 programme.

l To include the indicator for task 6.3.1 in the state programme “Comfortable Housing and Favourable Environment” for 2016‑20 (sub-programme “Clean Water”). The client for these indicators is the Ministry

l SDG 6 indicators for targets 6.1 and 6.2 should be included in the future National Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy. This is scheduled to be developed in 2021.

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