Belarus approves National Water Resources Management Strategy until 2030

28 February 2022

Decree of the Council of Ministers dated February 22, 2022 № 91 approved the National Strategy for Water Resources Management in the context of climate change for the period up to 2030. The strategy is aimed at improving the efficiency of water resources use to ensure sustainable economic growth of the country in a changing climate and create conditions for the conservation of water ecosystems.

The National Strategy for Water Resources Management in the Conditions of Climate Change for the period up to 2030 contains information on the assessment of the current potential of the country’s water resources, the dynamics of water use, the impact of climate change on water resources and their adaptation, goals, objectives and expected results of the implementation of the strategy, mechanisms for its implementation. Also, the document defines the action plan of the National Strategy. A total of 41 events are planned, including the development of a Concept for improving legislation on the protection and use of water in a changing climate, improving the procedure for developing technological standards for water use, creating a state water fund and other events.

It is expected that the implementation of the strategy will ensure:

• population with centralized water supply and sanitation (sewage) systems – at least 93.2% and 79.3%, respectively, by 2025, 95% and 85%, respectively, by 2030;
• the proportion of surface water bodies that have been assigned a good and higher ecological status – at least 75% by 2025, 85% by 2030;
• index of discharge of insufficiently treated wastewater into water bodies (to the level of 2015) – no more than 30% by 2025, 0% by 2030;
• degree of implementation of integrated water resources management – at least 80% by 2025, 100% by 2030;
• the share of the area of transboundary river basins, in respect of which there are international agreements on cooperation in the field of protection and use of transboundary waters – at least 78% by 2025, 100% by 2030.

The approval of the National Strategy contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of water resources, ensuring the long-term water security of the country, which will make a significant contribution to the achievement by the Republic of Belarus of Sustainable Development Goals 6, 13, 14, 15 and other SDGs.

More information on the National Water Resources Management Strategy 2030 can be found at the link: https://pravo.by/novosti/novosti-pravo-by/2022/february/68868/.

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