Azerbaijan has fewer renewable water resources than the other countries in the South Caucasus, and its surface and groundwater reserves are expected to decrease even further as a result of climate change. Its infrastructure, largely inherited from the Soviet era, is deteriorating and will not be able to supply its growing population with water of sufficient quantity or quality.
In 2021-2022, under the EU4Environment Action programme, the OECD provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan in preparing a green public expenditure programme designed to help meet the demand for potable and utility water for Azerbaijan’s population, agriculture and industry. It focuses on rural districts in selected regions that face significant challenges ensuring a safe domestic drinking water supply, securing water for irrigation and reducing pollution from wastewater. Despite its regional focus, the programme will be carried out at the national level to align with Azerbaijan’s objectives for the water sector. It builds on current and planned capital investments set out in the policy documents and listed investment priorities of the major stakeholders.
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