Water resources management in South Eastern Europe. Volume I. Issues and directions

Effective water resources management is essential for sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Poor river basin management increases economic damage and loss of life from floods, droughts, landslides and erosion. Low water quality carries health risks, damages fisheries, tourism and recreation industries and leads to loss of ecosystems. Poor drinking water service delivery affects the wellbeing of local communities, while unreliable irrigation water leads to loss of livelihoods.

This two-volume report aims to summarize key issues and strategic directions for improved WRM at national and transboundary levels for the SEE region. It serves as a contribution to the World Bank’s work on sub-regional issues, and as background to a conference on "Sustainable Development for Lasting Peace: Shared Water, Shared Future, Shared Knowledge", hosted by the Government of Greece during its Presidency of the European Union and the World Bank in Athens, May 2003. The conference discussed management of transboundary water resources in the SEE and Eastern Mediterranean. It identifies key water resources issues faced by the SEE countries, documents the approach adopted to address water challenges, identifies ways of strengthening WRM policies and programs and international cooperation, and makes recommendations for future action. The need for enhanced partnerships between SEE countries with the principal international financing agencies is emphasized.

The report has been developed within the framework of the World Bank Water Resources Strategy. It argues for an increased commitment, not only to improved water management, but also to water resources rehabilitation and investment where there is a demonstrated development need.