UNDP, Candian Nexen, Yemen signProject Document to promote water management and sanitation [Archives:2004/733/Local News]

Sana'a (UN Information Centre) 24 April 2004) – A project document was signed in Sana'a today, 24 April 2004, for a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Canadian Nexen and the Government of Yemen to promote water resource management, community water supply and sanitation, and capacity building in the vicinity of Masila Block 14, Hadhramout Governorate. According to the project document, Canadian Nexen commits the amount of US$ 1 million and UNDP US$ 500,000 for this partnership.
A UN Information Center press release said the agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Yemen by Dr. Rasheed Saleh Baraba, Minister of Oil and Minerals as well as Abdul Kader Ali Hillal, Governor of Hadhramout. The document was also signed by Mr. James W. Rawley, the UNDP Resident Representative, and Dr. Randy Gossen, Vice President of the Safety Environment and Social Responsibility Department, Canadian Nexen. The agreement is expected to be signed by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Sofan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, upon his return from abroad.
The project is intended to represent a model approach for sound management of rural water supply and sanitation services, introducing essential measures for water conservation and environmental protection. It aims to improve institutional capacity at the govenorate, district, and community levels, to ensure sustainable water and sanitation management, and to develop a model for long-term, sustainable stewardship of water and sanitation services at the community level within the Masila Block 14 that potentially can be replicated throughout the country in the future. The project was designed in close cooperation with the UNDP supported Sustainable Water Resources Management Program assisted by the UN department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). The support and assistance of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (Ahmed Mohammed Sofan, Deputry Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation), the Ministry of Oil and Minerals (Dr. Rasheed Saleh Baraba, Minister of Oil and Minerals), and Ministry of Water and Environment (Dr. Mohammed Lutf Al-Iryani, Minister of Water and Environment), and the direct involvement of the Governor of Hadramout (Mr. Abdul Kader Ali Hillal), have provided the leadership on behalf of the Republic of Yemen to complement the Global Compact Partnership.
Within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's Global Compact initiative, the project provides a living example of a replicable model of joint UN-private sector cooperation. The project aims to achieve four complementary elements: enhancing access to clean water for drinking and domestic use and conserving this scarce resource; improving health by preventing the incidence of diseases caused by unclean water and poor hygiene; promoting conformity with the principles and practices that ensure environmental protection and sustainability, especially with regard to the disposal of wastewater, effluent, and solid waste; strengthening local institutions and capacity building, particularly at the Governorate, Local Council and community level, to operate effectively in support of the community-based development goals in general, and sustainable water resource management, supply and sanitation services, in particular.
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