This study was delivered as part of the OECD’s programme of work under the GREEN Action Task Force. The Task Force has been supporting the countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) to green their economies for more than 20 years and water policy reform has been a key feature of the work programme.

The Water Policy Outlook study aimed to compare and contrast existing policy frameworks against the long-term strategic plan and vision for the water sector by respective governments. The outlooks aimed to map the future policy challenges and policy reform opportunities required to achieve these long-term strategic objectives. This innovative work was applied in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine for the first time in 2019-20. These countries are of particular interest, as many of the long-term strategic objectives are based on Association Agreements with the European Union, which set the ambition and direction of water policies and contain time-bound requirements to approximate to EU legislation including the Water Framework Directive.

This chapter summarises the findings of three country studies conducted in Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on the water policy outlook to 2030. The chapter considers the current strategic vision and targets for each country, with particular reference to the time-bound commitments in the Association Agreements that each country has signed with the European Union, and targets under multilateral environmental agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals. The chapter summarises the existing policy framework in each country and current and future challenges each country is expected to face with regard to water management. The chapter considers the suitability of the existing policy framework to rise to these challenges and meet the current targets and vision and proposes alternative reform scenarios for consideration.

This chapter considers Georgia’s ambitions and outlook for its water sector including water-related obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union and targets under multilateral environmental agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals. Obligations under the EU Water Framework Directive and associated directives are discussed, including time-bound commitments concerning the identification of river basin districts and preparation of river basin plans. The chapter considers Georgia’s current state of play with regard to water resources and pressures facing the sector. Finally, the chapter considers the existing policy and legislative framework and considers scenarios for possible future reforms.

This chapter considers Moldova’s ambitions and outlook for its water sector including water-related obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union and targets under multilateral environmental agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals. Obligations under the EU Water Framework Directive and associated directives are discussed, including time-bound commitments concerning the identification of river basin districts and preparation of river basin plans. The chapter considers Moldova’s current state of play with regard to water resources and pressures facing the sector. Finally, the chapter considers the existing policy and legislative framework and considers scenarios for possible future reforms.

This chapter considers Ukraine’s ambitions and outlook for its water sector including water-related obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union and targets under multilateral environmental agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals. Obligations under the EU Water Framework Directive and associated directives are discussed, including time-bound commitments concerning the identification of river basin districts and preparation of river basin plans. The chapter considers Ukraine’s current state of play with regard to water resources and pressures facing the sector. Finally, the chapter considers the existing policy and legislative framework and considers scenarios for possible future reforms.