First meeting of the Working Group on Water and Health

The meeting is open to experts from Parties and non-Parties to the Protocol representing governmental authorities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations as well as other interested stakeholders. In this respect, focal points are requested to facilitate nomination of relevant experts from their respective countries. Given the complexity of the issues discussed, delegates should consult within their countries with relevant health, foreign affairs, environment and water management authorities to ensure that the views, needs and approaches of all concerned sectors are taken into account.

The Protocol on Water entered into force on 4 August 2005. At their first meeting (Geneva, 17–19 January 2007), the Parties to the Protocol established the Working Group on Water and Health as an open-ended subsidiary body responsible for the overall implementation of the programme of work. The Working Group reviews progress, proposes modifications to the work programme and reports to the Meeting of the Parties. It prepares the meetings of the Parties, oversees and directs the activities of subsidiary bodies established by the Meeting of the Parties and any other activities carried out under the Protocol’s programme of work.

The first meeting of the Working Group will be held on 26-27 June 2008 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, back-to-back with the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism (25 June 2008). The working languages will be English, French and Russian. Documents for the meeting will be posted on this web-page in due course.

The meeting is open to experts from Parties and non-Parties to the Protocol representing governmental authorities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations as well as other interested stakeholders. In this respect, focal points are requested to facilitate nomination of relevant experts from their respective countries. Given the complexity of the issues discussed, delegates should consult within their countries with relevant health, foreign affairs, environment and water management authorities to ensure that the views, needs and approaches of all concerned sectors are taken into account.

Each participating in the meeting delegate should fill in the registration form and send it to the secretariat, as indicated in the form.

Experts from eligible countries may apply for financial support to facilitate their participation in the meeting. Requests for financial support should be addressed to the secretariat (protocol.water_health@unece.org) as soon as possible and in any case by 12 May 2008.

For documents of the Working Group operated before entry into force of the Protocol please click here