UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Inception Project Steering Committee Meeting
UNDP/GEF Tisza Medium Sized Project:

Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved
transboundary management for the Tisza River Basin

11th June 2008, Belgrade

Minutes from UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP Inception Meeting

Participants: Annex 1
Agenda: Annex 2
Presentations: http://www.icpdr.org/undp-gef-tisza

Background: The formal approval of the proposal for the UNDP/GEF funded Tisza Medium Sized
Project (Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved transboundary
management for the Tisza River Basin) has recently been given. The project will be executed
through UNOPS (United Nations Office of Project Services) and the ICPDR. In advance of the
formal start of the project, it was agreed to hold a project inception meeting in Belgrade on the 11th
June 2008 in conjunction with a planned ICPDR meeting where Heads of Delegation would be
participating. The UNDP/GEF MSP will build on the activities of the Tisza Group and the work
undertaken by the EC co-funding for this MSP, in particular, the Tisza Analysis and the Flood
Strategy already completed.
This first meeting of the UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP was chaired by the ICPDR Executive Secretary. It
is expected that the subsequent meetings would be chaired by a representative of the beneficiary
countries.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an initial briefing to senior representatives of the
beneficiary countries and to receive formal high-level endorsement for the work planned under the
project.
Summary or presentations:
Copies of the presentations are available on the project web site: http://www.icpdr.org/undp-gef-
tisza
Three key documents were distributed at the start of the meeting to assist with the discussions.
· Initial planned timetable of the Tisza MSP together with linkages to the on-going activities
of the ICPDR's Tisza Group.
· A summary of the budget providing information on a year by year basis for the two main
components and the project management;
· A preliminary workplan of activities including proposed meetings for the three year duration.

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza

1
Presentation 1: ICPDR perspective on the project
· Development of pollution reduction and, flood and drought mitigation strategies
within the ICPDR;
· Progress towards an Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan including a
focus on integration of water quality and water quantity issues;
· The importance of pollution reduction and flood mitigation by utilising the benefits of
floodplains and wetlands through the implementation of the proposed demonstration
projects
2
Presentation 2: Overview of UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP.
· This presentation provided a summary of the objectives, planned outcomes and
outputs of the project. The key topics covered included:
· The rationale for GEF involvement in the Tisza River Basin;
· Outline of the overall funding of the UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP
· The component activities and outputs;
· The planned project management;
· A summary of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) requirements for
UNDP/GEF projects
3
Presentation 3: Co-funding partners activities
· UNDP gave an outline of the overall support to be provided by their co-funding. The
first activities are related to the identification of potential demonstration projects
where a `Call for Proposals' has been drafted (distributed at this meeting). UNDP
will also provide assistance to the short-listed projects to further develop their
proposals. See discussion below regarding the `Call for Proposals'.
· The European Commission indicated that there would be considerable interest
outside the basin in the work being undertaken on integration and the possibility of
additional funding sources for parallel work should be explored in the region. The
work undertaken with the assistance of the EC co-funded TISAR-2007 project was
summarised by the ICPDR.
· UNEP/Carpathian Convention a potential to collaborate with the co-organising of
a workshop on pollution prevention from mining sources has been identified
4
Presentation 4: Proposed workplan and implementation of the UNDP/GEF Tisza
MSP.
· This presentation was designed to provide the Tisza representatives with an initial
detailed summary of the activities to be undertaken and the proposed mechanism
for implementing the project. Topics included:
· The overall UNDP/Tisza MSP timetable
· An outline budget by project component for implementation
· The proposed method of working between the Project staff, consultants and the
ICPDR's Tisza Group
· A summary of the activities anticipated to be undertaken by the co-funding
organisations (including national governments, ICPDR, EC, UNDP and UNEP);

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
· Planned meetings and reporting mechanisms to the Project Steering
Committee;
· Requests for approval from the Inception Meeting / Project Steering Committee
(see below).
Discussion points arising from the presentations
1
National Experts recruitment: The members of the PSC requested that terms of
references should be distributed to the UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP contacts in each country
to co-ordinate the identification of National Experts required by the project. The Project
Implementation Unit (PIU) will develop outline tasks for each expert and seek
comments from the countries prior to the preparation of detailed ToRs. (Outline of tasks
and budgets attached).
2
Regional Experts: - the presentations given by the PIU had foreseen the need for
'Regional' Experts to develop strategies for flood/drought and pollution reduction with
an emphasis on wetlands and floodplains. The discussions indicated that the members
of the group would prefer to prepare national strategies. The PIU would then take
responsibilities for preparing a harmonised strategy. The EC support has already
prepared a detailed flood and drought strategy for the basin and this MSP will now
focus more on the pollution reduction strategy (with a focus on wetlands/floodplains).
3
Demonstration projects: All countries indicated their interest in participation in the
demonstration projects and the importance of the criteria used for selection the
projects. At the request of the meeting, the UNDP draft document (`Call for proposals')
was to be commented on by the countries prior to its distribution. UNDP was requested
to revise the document to reflect the importance of the involvement of all stakeholders
in the demonstration project. The revised Call for Proposals will be distributed by UNDP
for comment as soon as possible.
4
Future Project Steering Committee Meetings. Documents requiring discussion /
approval will be distributed at least a week prior to future PSC meetings.
Proposed short-term activities
1
Developing Terms of References for expert assistance to the MSP. Draft tasks for
national and regional experts are presented in Annex 3. Comments are requested from
the Tisza representatives on these prior to the incorporation in experts' Terms of
References. Comments to be sent by 30th June 2008
2
Outline strategies on flood/drought mitigation and pollution reduction with a focus on
improved use of wetlands and floodplains;
3
A detailed Inception Report (including work plans, ToRs, management procedures, etc)
will be developed by the PIU and distributed to the National Contacts for the project.
4
Planning the 1st UNDP/GEF Tisza MSP workshop to be held back-to-back with the
planned 11th Tisza Group Meeting (September 2008).
Requests from the PIU
Countries were requested to provide details of National Contact points for this UNDP/GEF Tisza
MSP to the PIU as soon as possible.

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Requests to the PIU
The members of the Inception meeting/PSC requested that the PIU:
· Provide an outline of the tasks to be undertaken by National Experts
· To reconsider the need for `Regional' Experts
· To ensure that the appointment of National Experts is approved by the National Contact
points
· To revise the UNDP's `Call for Proposals' and circulate to the National Contact points for
comment
· To develop a clear and transparent means of selecting demonstration projects that meet
the agreed criteria.
Inception Meeting approval of outline plans
In the basis of the PIU's presentation formal approval was given by the Inception Meeting for:
· Implementation of the proposed work plan
· PIU staffing proposals
· Preliminary budget allocation
· The proposed M&E approach

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 1
List of Participants

11th June 2008, Belgrade

Country
Name
Institute
Contacts
UA
Alxei Iarochevitsch
Ukrainian Center of
Tel: +380 67 209 1208
Environment and Water
Fax: +380 44 537 5917
Projects
pripyat@i.kiev.ua
Pushkinska street 11, office 17
01034 Kyiv
Ukraine
RO
Lucia Ana Varga
State Secretary
Tel. +40 21 316 2407
(HoD)
Ministry of Environment and
Fax +40 21 410 2032
Water Management
varga@mappm.ro
12 Libertatii Blvd., Sector 5

Bucharest, Romania
RO
Gheorghe
Director, Water Directorate
Tel. +40 21 335 2691
Constantin
Ministry of Environment and
Fax +40 21 410 2032
Water Mgmt
gconstantin@mappm.ro
12, Libertatii Blvd., Sector 5
040129 Bucharest, Romania
RO
Anemari Ciurea
Ministry of Environment and
Tel +40 21 316 2184
Sustainable
Fax +40 21 316 0282
Development
Anemaria.ciurea@mmediu.ro
12 Libertatii Blvd., Sector 5
040129 Bucharest, Romania
RO
Ovidiu Gabor
Romanian Water Authority
+ 40 21 315 1301
SK
Boris Minarik
Representative of the Tisza
boris.minarik@shmu.sk
Group Slovak
Tel.: +421 2 594 15 415
Hydrometeorological Institute
Fax: + 421 2 4524 8946
Jeseniova 17
SK-83315 Bratislava, Slovakia
SK
Danica Leskova
Representative of Slovak
Danica.Leskova@shmu.sk
Hydrometeorological Institute
HU
Mária Galambos
Chief Counsellor
Tel. +36 1 457 3489
Ministry of Environment and
Fax +36 1 201 2846
Water
galambos@mail.kvvm.hu
Fö utca 44-50, POB 351

H-1011 Budapest, Hungary
HU
Gyula Holló (HoD)
Head of Department
Tel. +36 1 457 3428
Ministry of Environment and
Fax +36 1 201 4008
Water
hollo@mail.kvvm.hu
Fö utca 44-50, POB 351
H-1011 Budapest, Hungary
RS
Aleksandar
Director, Directorate for Water
a.prodanovic@minpolj.sr.gov.yu
Prodanovic (HoD)
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry

& Water Mgmt
Bulevar Umetnosti 2a 11000
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
RS
Miodrag
Insitute `Jaroslav Cerni'
mmjcerni@EUnet.yu
Milovanovic
Jaroslava Cernog street 80, PO
Box 3354
11226 Belgrade, Serbia
RS
Dragana
Ministry of Agriculture Forestry
+ 381 11 213 4903
Milovanovic
and Water Management

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Country
Name
Institute
Contacts
RS
Aleksandar
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
Tel: +381-11-201-33-57
Milicevic
and Water Management -
Fax: +381-11-311-53-70
Water

Directorate
web: www.minpolj.sr.gov.yu
Bulevar umetnosti 2a, 11070
Novi Beograd, Srbija
EC
Helmut Bloech
European Commission
Tel. +32 2 2990672
(HoD)
DG Environment BU9, 3/154
Fax +32 2 2968825
Rue de la Loi 200
helmut.bloech@ec.europa.eu
1049 Brussels, Belgium

UNDP
Klara Tothova
Klara Tothova, CST
Tel: +421 2 59337 220
Environmental Officer, UNDP,
Fax: +421 2 59337 450
Europe and the CIS
klara.tothova@undp.org
Bratislava Regional Centre
http://europeandcis.undp.org
Grosslingova 35, 81109
Bratislava, Slovak Republic
ICPDR
Philip Weller
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 5730/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
philip.weller@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Peter Whalley
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat

VIC PO Box 500
pdwhalley@btinternet.com
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

ICPDR
Anna Koch
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4361/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Anna.koch@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Michaela Popovici
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4502/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
michaela.popovici@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Diana Heilmann
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 5207/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
diana.heilmann@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Birgit Vogel
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 5333 /5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Birgit.vogel@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Igor Liska
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4403/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
igor.liska@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Jasmine
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4373/5738
Bachmann
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
jasmine.bachmann@unvienna.org
icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Sylvia Koch
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4404/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

icpdr@unvienna.org
ICPDR
Michaela Madar
ICPDR Permanent Secretariat
Tel. +431 26060 4404/5738
VIC PO Box 500
Fax +431 26060 5895
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

icpdr@unvienna.org

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 2 - Agenda of the Inception meeting

Chair: Philip Weller ICPDR Executive Secretary

Agenda Items

Welcome
RS
Introductions of PSC members
All
Expected contribution of the UNDP/GEF MSP to the work
ICPDR ES/Philip
of the ICPDR and the Tisza River Basin Countries
Weller
Overview of the approved MSP (objectives, outcomes,
MSP Project
organisation, roles, funding, logframe etc.)
Manager/Peter
Whalley
Presentation on partner contributions:

· UNDP
· EC
· UNEP
Details of planned activities and implementation
MSP Project
·
Manager/Peter
Proposed work plan
Whalley
· Budget Breakdown
· Reporting
· Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
requirements
Discussion
All
Summary of agreements

Evening reception

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
Annex 3 - Outline Tasks for National Consultants

UNDP/GEF Tisza Medium Sized Project

Integrating multiple benefits of wetlands and floodplains into improved transboundary
management for the Tisza River Basin

General Points
All contracts for National Experts will be issued on a yearly basis and renewed annually for up to
three years subject to satisfactory performance.
Beneficiary countries are requested to nominate experts (or a group of experts if required) to
achieve the tasks indicated. It is expected that at least 1 expert will attend the meetings and be
able to report and discuss on all the activities being undertaken.
Budgets and tasks given below are for three years and are inclusive of travel and all other
subsistence (hotels, meals etc.) costs for the participation in project meetings as indicated.

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
UKRAINE
National Expert support to the Tisza Integrated River Basin Management process

Budget: 30 K USD
Tasks:
1. Expert input to current data collection and validation for the preparation of the Tisza
Integrated River Basin Management Plan (updating Tisza analysis report; data
collection for the programme of measures etc.). This relates to tasks for the
implementation of the WFD that is agreed with the Tisza Group.
2. Initiate bilateral agreements for data harmonisation
3. Initiate stakeholder involvement
4. Providing data and advice to the ICPDR's Tisza Group on national programmes on
flood/drought strategy and pollution reduction strategy
5. Preparing a summary of National pollution strategy to enable a basin strategy to be
developed.
6. Review the flood/drought strategy developed under the Tisza Group and summarising
how this will be implemented at a national level
7. On-going support to the Project Implementation Unit in the development of basin
synthesis
8. Development of a report on national approaches on integration water quality / quantity
management
9. To support the PIU on international integration of water quality and water quantity
management
10. To ensure the good communication within the country of the activities of all the
demonstration projects being undertaken.
11. To develop an approach on integrating the experiences from the demonstration projects
into the national strategies and national integrated river basin management plan
12. Participation in the joint UNDP/GEF ICPDR Tisza meetings (Two meetings in years 1
and 2, and one in year 3 total five meetings.
13. Participation in 2 stakeholder meetings (November 2008 and Winter 2010/2011)

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
National Expert support to the Tisza Integrated River Basin Management process

Budget 15 k USD
Tasks:
1. Providing data and advice to the ICPDR's Tisza Group on national programmes on
flood/drought strategy and pollution reduction strategy
2. Initiate bilateral agreements for data harmonisation
3. Preparing a summary of National pollution strategy to enable a basin strategy to be
developed.
4. Review the flood/drought strategy developed under the Tisza Group and summarising how
this will be implemented at a national level
5. On-going support to the Project Implementation Unit in the development of basin synthesis
6. Development of a report on national approaches on integration water quality / quantity
management
7. To support the PIU on international integration of water quality and water quantity
management
8. To ensure the good communication within the country of the activities of all the
demonstration projects being undertaken.
9. To develop an approach on integrating the experiences from the demonstration projects
into the national strategies and national integrated river basin management plan
10. Participation in the joint UNDP/GEF ICPDR Tisza meetings (Two meetings in years 1 and
2, and one in year 3 total five meetings.
11. Participation in 2 stakeholder meetings (November 2008 and Winter 2010/2011)

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
ROMANIA
National Expert support to the Tisza Integrated River Basin Management process

Budget 15 k USD
Tasks:
1. Providing data and advice to the ICPDR's Tisza Group on national programmes on
flood/drought strategy and pollution reduction strategy
2. Initiate bilateral agreements for data harmonisation
3. Preparing a summary of National pollution strategy to enable a basin strategy to be
developed.
4. Review the flood/drought strategy developed under the Tisza Group and summarising how
this will be implemented at a national level
5. On-going support to the Project Implementation Unit in the development of basin synthesis
6. Development of a report on national approaches on integration water quality / quantity
management
7. To support the PIU on international integration of water quality and water quantity
management
8. To ensure the good communication within the country of the activities of all the
demonstration projects being undertaken.
9. To develop an approach on integrating the experiences from the demonstration projects
into the national strategies and national integrated river basin management plan
10. Participation in the joint UNDP/GEF ICPDR Tisza meetings (Two meetings in years 1 and
2, and one in year 3 total five meetings.
11. Participation in 2 stakeholder meetings (November 2008 and Winter 2010/2011)

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
HUNGARY
National Expert support to the Tisza Integrated River Basin Management process

Budget 15 k USD
Tasks:
1. Providing data and advice to the ICPDR's Tisza Group on national programmes on
flood/drought strategy and pollution reduction strategy
2. Initiate bilateral agreements for data harmonisation
3. Preparing a summary of National pollution strategy to enable a basin strategy to be
developed.
4. Review the flood/drought strategy developed under the Tisza Group and summarising how
this will be implemented at a national level
5. On-going support to the Project Implementation Unit in the development of basin synthesis
6. Development of a report on national approaches on integration water quality / quantity
management
7. To support the PIU on international integration of water quality and water quantity
management
8. To ensure the good communication within the country of the activities of all the
demonstration projects being undertaken.
9. To develop an approach on integrating the experiences from the demonstration projects
into the national strategies and national integrated river basin management plan
10. Participation in the joint UNDP/GEF ICPDR Tisza meetings (Two meetings in years 1 and
2, and one in year 3 total five meetings.
11. Participation in 2 stakeholder meetings (November 2008 and Winter 2010/2011)

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UNDP/GEF Integrated River Basin Management in the Tisza
REPUBLIC of SERBIA
National Expert support to the Tisza Integrated River Basin Management process

Budget 30 k USD
Tasks:
1. Expert input to current data collection and validation for the preparation of the Tisza
Integrated River Basin Management Plan (updating Tisza analysis report; data collection
for the programme of measures etc.). This relates to tasks for the implementation of the
WFD that is agreed with the Tisza Group.
2. Initiate bilateral agreements for data harmonisation
3. Providing data and advice to the ICPDR's Tisza Group on national programmes on
flood/drought strategy and pollution reduction strategy
4. Preparing a summary of National pollution strategy to enable a basin strategy to be
developed.
5. Review the flood/drought strategy developed under the Tisza Group and summarising how
this will be implemented at a national level
6. On-going support to the Project Implementation Unit in the development of basin synthesis
7. Development of a report on national approaches on integration water quality / quantity
management
8. To support the PIU on international integration of water quality and water quantity
management
9. To ensure the good communication within the country of the activities of all the
demonstration projects being undertaken.
10. To develop an approach on integrating the experiences from the demonstration projects
into the national strategies and national integrated river basin management plan
11. Participation in the joint UNDP/GEF ICPDR Tisza meetings (Two meetings in years 1 and
2, and one in year 3 total five meetings.
12. Participation in 2 stakeholder meetings (November 2008 and Winter 2010/2011)

13