The Drin MoU implementation

Succeeding the Drin Dialogue, a process was put into place called the Drin Coordinated Action (Drin CORDA), for the implementation of the Drin MoU.

An institutional structure established in 2012 by the Drin MoU, guides and steers the Drin CORDA:

• The Meeting of the Parties is comprised of “the Ministers responsible for the management of water resources and/or environment of the five Parties” that “shall meet annually to review progress in the implementation of the present MoU and its provisions” (Article 6, Drin MoU).
• The Drin Core Group (DCG) is given the mandate to coordinate actions for the implementation of the MoU. The decisions of the DCG are taken by the representatives of the Parties to the MoU (i.e. the Drin Riparians) by consensus. There are two regular DCG meetings per year.
• Three Expert Working Groups (EWG) have been established to assist the DCG in its work.
• The DCG Secretariat provides technical and administrative support to the DCG; GWP-Med serves by appointment of the Parties, according to the MoU, as the Secretariat.

An Action Plan was prepared to support the implementation of the Drin MoU and to set the Drin CORDA into operation. The Drin Action Plan, approved by the 6^th DCG Meeting (May 2012) and endorsed by the 1st Meeting of the Parties (May 2013), is structured around six actions:

• Enhancement of coordination mechanisms among the parties.
• Enhancement of the knowledge base concerning the Drin Basin.
• Improvement of information exchange by establishing a system for regular exchange of information among the competent authorities of each party.
• Enhancement of cooperation in the field of flood risk preparedness, management and mutual support.
• Institutional strengthening in the field of integrated water resources management.
• Promotion of public participation and stakeholders’ engagement.