GZ-Emergency Capacity Building Project to the Palestinian Water Authority: Technical, Planning and Advisory Team in the Water and Sanitation Sector (TPAT)
On Dec 14th 2009 the Cabinet of Ministers of the Palestinian National Authority endorsed an “Action Plan for Reform” towards the definition and implementation of a comprehensive programme of institutional, financial and legislative reform in the Palestinian water sector. As the central body in the sector, the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) has the mandate to lead the water sector reform process in coordination with the established Reform Steering Committee (RSC). The overall reform is expected to include the reorganization of the whole sector on both state and local government level, capacity building, and the revision of strategies and policies, when necessary, as a result of any change that takes place in the architectural arrangement of the sector. Anti-corruption measures and other aspect of public financial management are important aspect of the programme.
The sector reform has the following objectives:
- With regards to institutions, the sector reform will establish strong capable and sustainable central and local government institutions within a legal framework that clearly defines their roles, responsibilities and the intergovernmental relations between them.
- With regards to infrastructure needs, the sector reform will improve water supply and sanitation strategies, policies, investment programs, project designs, and the implementation of projects, in an effort to substantially accelerate infrastructure development.
- With regards to service provision, the sector reform aims to accelerate equitable access to a quality service, while providing improved efficiency and cost-recovery of effectively regulated water operators.
- With regards to water resources management, the sector reform will help to build the institutional knowledge, policies, and monitoring and enforcement capacities, as part of an effort to achieve a more sustainable water resources management strategy.
- With regards to water consumers, the sector reform will aim at improving water demand management awareness in line with the development of water conservation policies.