RA Minister of Environment, around 100 stakeholders from central, local, governments, local and international organizations, experts as well as representatives from the private sector and media attended the launch. A ceremony to sign memorandums of cooperation between partner communities and the PURE Water project concluded the event (Annexes General: 2-13).
The Project Launch and Signing Memoranda of Cooperation between Partner Communities and the Project
RESULT AREA 1: POLICY AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENTS TO FOSTER PARTICIPATORY USE OF WATER ARE IN PLACE -
1.1 ․ Gaps in the policy-regulatory environment identified, a strategy for policy regulatory improvements and a road map for improved water resource management developed and agreed upon amongst stakeholders Pre-project situation: Despite ongoing improvement of legislation in the water sector, (a National Water Policy, National Water Program, RA Water Code, etc.), before the start of the project, all stakeholders recognized the need for further improvement of a legal and regulatory framework. It included the legislative gaps to foster participatory management and use of water resources which was the main focus of the project. The absence of well-developed culture by decision-makers to initiate a multi-stakeholder discussion, the lack of strategic approach, and a clear roadmap hindered the development of comprehensive legislation to facilitate actions towards efficient management and use of groundwater resources in Ararat Valley. The USAID PURE Water project assisted the Armenian Government by contributing to a participatory and strategic approach to legislative changes to facilitate the participatory management of groundwater resources.
Achievements A sound basis for the GOAM is in place for comprehensive policy and regulatory improvement to foster participatory use and efficient management of water 5 legal documents have been drafted: Assessment of Policy and Regulatory Framework of Water Resources Management and Elaboration of Ways for Improvement” (Legal Assessment) (Annex RA 1-10) Water Resources Participatory, Transparent and Accountable Strategy and Road Map (Strategy and Road Map) RA draft law on Water Users Associations (Annex RA 1-5) RA draft law on Environmental Information (Annex RA 1-1) RA draft law on Environmental Policy (Annex RA 1-4)
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