Stakeholder consultations in the Balkans to diagnose and advance the countries' water security agenda

Water plays a key role in human health, wealth, and countries' peace and socioeconomic development. The growing incidence of climate and water-related risks is further highlighting the role of water in economies and its impact on people and the environment – both as a driver of economic prosperity and inclusive growth, but also as a source of insecurity. While there is general agreement that the impacts of climate change will be channeled primarily through the water cycle, managing these changes remains a challenge, even to the most advanced countries in the world. Comprehensive assessments of water security are therefore needed to identify areas where water security is a concern, to guide infrastructure investment and institutional reform, and to inform high-level political and public dialogue on the nature and seriousness of water issues and the actions needed to address them. 

In response to this challenge, in 2017 the World Bank initiated the “Water Security Diagnostic Initiative”. This initiative intends to produce diagnostic reports that dive deeper into water challenges in a country and help create the narrative on “Water Writ Large” and its importance in a country or region. IIASA, alongside HYDROPHIL and InterSus, have led the implementation of the Water Security Initiative in Europe and the Central Asia region, through the development of a water security methodological framework called the “ONE-Water methodology” and its applications in several Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

From 13-20 December, IIASA, HYDROPHIL, and InterSus, are organizing three stakeholders consultations to validate and enrich the preliminary findings of the three-country water security diagnosis to further identify concrete actions to leverage the capacity of Balkan countries to improve water security. Key institutions from the Water Directorates of the different countries, River Basin Organizations, Water Utilities, and sectoral practitioners from each country will participate in these events.

Montenegro stakeholder consultation

• Date: 13 December 2022
• Time: 09:00-16:00 CET
• Location: Podgorica

Albania stakeholder consultation

• Date: 15 December 2022
• Time: 09:00-16:00 CET
• Location: Tirana

Bosnia-Herzegovina stakeholder consultation

• Date: 20 December 2022
• Time: 09:00-12:30 CET
• Location: Online