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ADB to Review its Water Policy Implementation in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (15 September 2005) – A consultation meeting with a broad range of stakeholders to assess the implementation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) water policy was held today in Almaty.

The consultation was the fourth of six planned throughout the region to assess experiences in implementing ADB’s water policy, as well as achievements, lessons learned, opportunities for improvement, and investment priorities for the next five years. The first consultation meeting was held in Cambodia in June 2005, the second in Fiji Islands and the third in Indonesia in August 2005.

Members of the commissioned panel of experts tasked to conduct the external review of ADB’s water policy implementation participated in the consultation. Stakeholders from the Government, ADB projects, non-government organizations, private sector, academe, and international organizations also joined the consultation to discuss the progress and challenges facing the country’s water sector.

Representatives from the Committee on Water Resources (CWR) of the Ministry of Agriculture, United Nations Development Programme, and ADB’s Resident Missions in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan made presentations. Project presentations highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve and integrate shared water resource management and water efficiency.

After the consultation, Review Panel members will conduct a site visit in two villages in Almaty oblast, Otegen Batyr and Baiserke to discuss with communities the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (RWSSSP) under the National Drinking Water Sector Program. Panel members will also tour the existing rural water supply systems.

RWSSSP will fulfill the immediate demand for potable water supply and safe sanitation services in the project area through: (1) rehabilitation and expansion of water supply services; (2) provision of adequate sanitation services; (3) improving the capacity of CWR and water users to manage and operate water supply and sanitation facilities; and (4) increasing awareness on hygiene and sanitation among water users.

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