Joint Statement on the Strategic Action Programme for the Dniester River Basin for 2021-2035.

The Parties of this Joint Statement, realising that the urgent need to restore the ecosystems of the Dniester river basin and guided by the principle of reasonable and equitable use of transboundary watercourses, endorse the Strategic Action Programme for the Dniester River Basin for 2021-2035 and declare the determination to implement it together.
The Action Programme (attached) details a working plan for the sustainable management of the Dniester River basin and the restauration of the Dniester river, which is the fourth largest river in Ukraine (8.9% of the territory) and the largest river in Moldova (57% of the territory). An important role in achieving this goal is played by the Commission on Sustainable Use and Protection of the Dniester River (Dniester Commission), whose activities are regulated by the Agreement on Cooperation in the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Dniester River Basin between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, signed on 29 November 2012.
The Programme identifies seven strategic action areas: 1. reduction of water pollution from point and diffuse sources, as well as plastic pollution; management of tailings storage facilities and prevention of accidental pollution; 2. improvement of hydromorphological status of surface water bodies; 3. protection and prevention of surface and ground water degradation; 4. mitigation of climate change and natural disasters; 5. improvement of the legal and regulatory framework and mechanisms for its implementation; 6. strengthening Moldovan-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of water resources management; 7. promotion of rational use of water resources. The Programme includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: 1) implementation of existing legislation; 2) application of cost recovery principles for water services; 3) protection of water sources used for drinking purposes; 4) control of water abstraction for various uses; 5) reduction of pollution from point sources and other significant anthropogenic impacts; 6) reduction of pollution by priority pollutants; 7) identification of water bodies at risk of failure to meet environmental objectives; 8) preventing or reducing the impact of accidental pollution; 9) informing and consulting the public about the results of these measures and updating the plan. Annex 1 lists measures in the Strategic Action Programme for 2021-2035. The Pogramme also concerns implementation, funding, monitoring, and evaluation.