Majilis ratifies international protocol on water and public health
Majilis has ratified the Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The Protocol was adopted on June 17, 1999, in London. Its goal is to protect human health and well-being through the rational management of water resources and prevention of water-related diseases. It is the world’s first international document that integrates the issues of water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and public health.
By joining the Protocol, Kazakhstan will gain access to modern technologies and expertise in the purification and delivery of safe drinking water, as well as in the treatment and reuse of wastewater. The country will also be able to participate in the development of joint monitoring and early warning systems, as well as emergency response plans.
What the Protocol provides for:
- setting specific targets for water supply, sanitation, and public health;
- developing surveillance and early warning systems for water-related diseases;
- creating emergency response plans;
- strengthening cooperation between agencies responsible for water quality;
- engaging the public in decision-making and raising awareness;
- promoting international cooperation in the water sector;
Thus, Kazakhstan’s accession to the Protocol will enable the country to adopt global best practices in water safety and public health.