THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROTOCOL ON WATER AND HEALTH TO THE 1992 CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION AND USE OF TRANSBOUNDARY WATERCOURSES AND INTERNATIONAL LAKES IN LITHUANIA

Successful implementation of the objectives set out in the Protocol on Water and Health depends on strategic collaboration with a range of stakeholders sharing aligned agendas, including international, transboundary, and non-governmental organizations. Effective partnerships and intersectoral cooperation encompass not only sectors traditionally associated with water, environment, and health, but also extend to education, agriculture, infrastructure, finance, urban and rural development, and civil society. Over the past decades, substantial progress has been made across the WHO European Region in securing access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services, and in promoting the sustainable management of water resources. Nevertheless, significant gaps persist in the provision of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Outbreaks of waterborne diseases continue to pose serious risks to human health, well-being, and community productivity. Addressing these challenges necessitates sustained and intensified efforts, along with the accelerated deployment of safely managed water and sanitation services throughout the region, to ensure the protection of both public health and the environment. Lithuania, in the global context, benefits from favourable natural conditions with respect to the availability and quality of freshwater resources. However, this favourable status does not render Lithuania’s commitment to the Protocol on Water and Health merely symbolic. On the contrary, the effective implementation of its provisions and programmatic activities is of critical importance for preserving high-quality water resources for future generations, and for ensuring that all residents of the country have equitable access to safe and reliable water. As in all other countries, safeguarding the intrinsic link between water quality and human health remains a national priority. The Hygiene Institute, in turn, actively participates in a programme aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health, with particular focus on setting targets, preparing reports, and capacity building. The Institute is also involved in initiatives promoting equitable access to water and sanitation services, as well as the human right to safe drinking water. Special emphasis is placed on socially vulnerable populations, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and victims of natural disasters. In Lithuania, social support mechanisms have been established to provide financial assistance to low-income households for drinking water supply and wastewater management services. Moreover, international cooperation is actively pursued, especially through the expert network of Nordic and Baltic countries, to address challenges related to water supply and public health.