Ukraine and Denmark enhance strategic partnership in the field of water resources: key areas for reform determined

During a meeting of the Steering Committee for Strategic Sectoral Cooperation, Ukraine and Denmark identified priority areas of work for technical working groups for the coming period, aimed at aligning Ukraine’s legislation with EU standards and implementing modern approaches to water resources management.

Four key areas of work have been identified as part of the cooperation through 2028: water resources and groundwater management, water supply, wastewater treatment, and pollution control.

The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation on:

• harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with EU requirements in the field of water policy;
• developing systems for monitoring and collecting data on water resources;
• introducing modern technologies for wastewater treatment and pollution control;
• improving the efficiency of groundwater management.

“Cooperation with Denmark helps Ukraine study and introduce European approaches in the field of water resources and strengthen institutional capacity. Our goal is to create a modern water management system that will ensure the efficient use of resources, environmental protection, and the sustainability of water infrastructure,” said Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.

One of the practical outcomes of this cooperation has been the strengthening of groundwater management efforts. Ukrainian experts learned about Denmark’s experience in using digital databases—specifically Jupiter and GERDA—as well as in groundwater mapping, resource monitoring, and the protection of drinking water sources.

In addition, Ukrainian representatives have already made study visits to Denmark, where they examined approaches to groundwater management, energy-efficient solutions in the water supply sector, and opportunities for recovering energy resources from wastewater. Separately, with the support of Danish experts, a study was conducted on the water supply system of the city of Mykolaiv.

Meeting participants also reviewed the current status of the Water and Environment SSC project between Ukraine and Denmark (2025–2028), the work plan, the results of the technical working groups’ activities, and the next stages of cooperation. Coordination between Ukrainian and Danish experts will help accelerate the implementation of European principles of integrated water resources management and strengthen Ukraine’s capacity in the field of water security.

“We are grateful to our Danish partners for their expert support and practical solutions, which are helping Ukraine reform its water sector. Working together allows us not only to draw on international experience but also to adapt it to Ukraine’s specific challenges and needs,” emphasized Iryna Ovcharenko.