Legal ReformsOne of the most import

Legal Reforms

One of the most important steps in water sector reforms in the adoption of the new Water Code of Armenia on June 4, 2002. The Code contains the idea of integrated river basin planning, promotes the allocation of water resources based of supply and not demand, creates based for establishment of the State Water Cadastre, obliges to issue water use permits based on available information, provides an opportunities for employing economic mechanisms in the course of management of water resources.

In order to ensure the proper application of the new Water Code of Armenia, since 2002 the Government has prepared over 80 regulations and by-laws, which relate to the procedures of issuing water use permits, river basin management, transparency and public participation in decision-making process, information accessibility, esttablishment of the State Water Cadastre (SWC), formation of water resources monitoring, management of transboundary water resources and others.

In 2005 Republic of Armenia Law on "Fundamental Provisions of the National Water Policy" was adopted, which presents a long-term development concept for strategic use and protection of water resources and water systems. Since 2005, the principles of river basin management have been applied in Armenia.

In 2006 "Law on the National Water Program of the Republic of Armenia" was adopted. The overall goal of the law is development of measures aimed at satisfying the needs of the population and economy, ensuring of ecological sustainability, formation and use of the strategic water reserve, and protection of the national water reserve.