In Azerbaijan, the EU-funded programme EUWI+ is working on 1 river basin: Kura upstream Mingachevir Dam.

This section explains what an RBMP is, and gives more information about RBMP development and implementation in Azerbaijan (documents, maps key figures).

For a more in-depth understanding of the river basin:

             Kura upstream Mingachevir Dam Thematic summary Part I  Part I

             All reports > Azerbaijan

Achieving sustainable water management requires a multidisciplinary, holistic approach that addresses technical, environmental, economic, societal and cultural issues.

A River Basin Management Plan is a guiding document that ensures this holistic, global approach to water management: it considers various economic, social and ecological aspects on a specific river basin to guide the development of appropriate sustainable water management measures, strategies and policies.

This document is developed using a “participative approach”, which involves bringing together multiple stakeholders with various viewpoints to determine how water should best be managed. This is done through basin council meetings, other stakeholder meetings, and wider public consultations.

EUWI+ and beneficiaries work with a wide range of responsible bodies, industries, stakeholders and citizens to build partnerships and deliver improvements in sustainable water management.

A RBMP is a planning document that has to be developed first and then updated every 6 years (planning cycle)

Developing this guiding document involves two general steps:

1. Diagnosis: how does the river basin work and what is causing problems or risks?

              - General description of the basin, water body identification

              - Pressures and impact assessment2

2. Programme of measures: How can we improve it? 

              - Definition of objectives to improve water quality and quantity and timeline for their achievement

              - Design (and then adaption) of monitoring programmes and networks

Public and stakeholder consultations are organised throughout the RBMP development process: they ensure public awareness of working plan outcomes and the joint development of solutions to problems. Public comments and opinions are actively sought via consultation mechanisms (oral such as consultation meetings, or written through surveys and feedbacks).