In June 2017, Ukraine ratified the Treaty on Cooperation in the Field of Protection and Sustainable Development of the Dniester River Basin.

The ratification law was passed by the Ukrainian Parliament on 7 June 2017 and signed by the President of Ukraine on 26 June 2017, after that the Treaty can enter into force.

The agreement is set to further advance cooperation in response to the complex environmental and economic challenges in the transboundary Dniester river basin with a population of approximately 7 million people.

The Treaty identifies principles and provides a framework for cooperation on water pollution prevention and control, water flow regulation, conservation of biodiversity and protection of the Black Sea environment.

The enhanced cooperation of the two countries, including through the Treaty, has been supported by the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) through a series of projects jointly managed by UNECE and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), most recently in 2013-2017 through the Dniester component of the project “Climate Change and Security in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus” supported by the EU Instrument for Stability and the Austrian Development Agency.

The Treaty’s entry into force will lead to the establishment of a Commission for the joint management of the Dniester River basin.

A project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented by OSCE in cooperation with UNECE starting in autumn 2017 will support the Commission and other opportunities for cooperation in the basin.