OREANDA-NEWS.  July 05, 2013. In many parts of Central Asia, people do not have access to reliable water supply and wastewater services due to years of neglected maintenance.

However, many municipalities -- backed by EBRD loans and donor support -- are investing to restore efficient services in the region and bring back safe water to their citizens.

To help achieve this goal, the ERBD and European Union will jointly host a two-day seminar on water and wastewater management in Bishkek, in the Kyrgyz Republic on 3-4 July. The event will bring together the EBRD’s existing and potential municipal clients from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to share their experiences with representatives of municipalities from Armenia, Moldova and Romania.

During the seminar, which is supported by the EU Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA), participants will discuss issues from policy dialogue and sector reform to practical aspects of implementation of projects supported by international institutions. The event will provide a forum for discussion and analysis of the factors affecting the success of reform and for looking at successful projects already financed in the region.

The EBRD and EU have an active relationship with water and wastewater sector stakeholders throughout Central Asia. Both institutions work with utilities, affected communities, city administrations, relevant ministries and regulators to improve the regulatory environment, ensure sector-wide sustainability, and build operational and financially viable water supply and wastewater management operations at utility level.

The EBRD is investing approximately EUR152 million, including donor co-financing, to improve water services in 29 cities across Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, potentially affecting 3.6 million people.