Assessing Water Sector Performance – 2nd Joint Annual Review

In 2003, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) initiated a multi-stakeholder process for preparing a National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Program (NWSSIP), including clearly defined goals and an action plan for the period 2005 2009. In order to assess the progress made in the sub-sectors water resources, urban water supply and sanitation (WSS), rural WSS and irrigation, the Second Joint Annual Review (JAR) for the year 2006 was carried out, and coordinated by MWE from April to June 2007.
Data was collected and analysed, and sector summary reports were drawn up by the four sub-sector working groups established by the MWE/donor Sector Management Committee (SMC) in April 2007. The SMC was to follow up the progress of the sub sector working groups and ensure quality control. The core donors Germany, the Netherlands (RNE) and the World Bank were also involved, ensuring the active participation of stakeholders. After weeks’ of data collection and evaluation, the JAR II workshop was held on 26-27 June 2007 in Sana’a.
The two-day workshop took place under the auspices of Prime Minister HE Dr. Ali Mohamed Mujawar. A total of 170 participants were invited, including various stakeholders such as ministers, parliamentarians, members of the consultative and local councils, NGOs, water users associations and the media. During the first day – chaired by the Deputy Minister of Water Dr. Mohamed Al Hamdi – findings of the working groups were reviewed, validated and finally presented to the audience. The second day was chaired by the Prime Minister HE Dr. Ali Mohamed Mujawar. The focal point was the signing of the JAR Declaration by all relevant Ministries as well as by the donor representatives.
The main outcomes of the JAR II process are the declaration, which was signed during the workshop, and the Aide Mémoire. In terms of the sub-sector progress rating, the 2006 performance is considered satisfactory as regards the achievement of specific annual targets. In contrast, the progress rating for advancement in process and compliance was not satisfactory. The Aide Mémoire concludes that many recommendations and intended reforms and restructuring measures identified in JAR 2005 had not been acted on or that little progress had been made. Additionally, the active participation of national stakeholders and a greater degree of ownership by the Yemeni government have to be evaluated positively.
The Yemeni-German TC Water Sector Program assisted by GTZ will take up several recommendations. In order to consolidate the decentralization process in urban WSS, a number of issues regarding the organizational set-up of the sub-sector will be clarified.

July 2007

Back to News Main page