A/HRC/42/47/Add.6 25. The Special Rapporteur notes that some relevant progress has been made in relation to the fulfilment of this recommendation. He particularly observes that a component of the water sector reform currently on-going is the clarification of the competencies of different national institutions. The Special Rapporteur nevertheless reiterates his recommendation and calls upon the Government to ensure that the definitive form of the Water Code, and other outcomes of the on-going water reform process, must ensure an institutional environment where the division of power and responsibilities in the water and sanitation sector are clearly defined. In this regard, he refers to his thematic report on accountability of actors (A/73/162). The Water Code should include the roles of the national entities, Vodokanal and local authorities, in order to build an effective and accountable institutional scheme for the progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation. PROGRESS ON-GOING: The Special Rapporteur welcomes the on-going progress made by the Government on sectoral reform. However, he finds it unclear how such reform will clearly define the roles and responsibilities of actors in the water and sanitation sector and contribute towards the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation. Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur urges the Government to review the reform process to ensure that it is effective in streamlining water and sanitation provision in Tajikistan and that it clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the various actors within the sector. D. Recommendation on the policy framework RECOMMENDATION 5: “Revise the national policy and strategy and prioritize rural water and sanitation.” (A/HRC/33/49/Add.2, para. 59(c)) 26. As noted above, there exists a significant disparity between the adequacy of water and sanitation services in urban and rural areas in Tajikistan. Rural areas were more likely to have non-fully operational centralized water systems than urban areas (A/HRC/33/49/Add.2, para. 44). 27. In response to the questionnaire sent by the Special Rapporteur, the Government explained that the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan for 2016-2030, the country’s main strategy for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets 6.1 and 6.2 on universal access to water and sanitation. This includes recognition of significant differences in the quality of water used by urban and rural populations for economic and drinking purposes, including lesser access to centralized supply systems and sewerage networks in rural areas, including in rural hospitals and schools. 9 The Government explained that the main problems in rural areas of the country are shortages of drinking water supply systems and the deterioration of some existing systems. The Government further explained that the implementation of the “Program for providing clean drinking water to the population of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2008-2020”, approved by the Government in 2016, is one of the means to achieve the goals of the National Development Strategy. 28. In identifying the concrete measures it has taken to revise its national strategy for water and sanitation, the Government responded that under its plans to reform the water sector, it has implemented the “Water Supply Program for the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan” which is set to continue until 2030. This programme involves partnerships between the public sector, civil society and private entities in order to increase awareness amongst the public regarding water supply and sanitation. Furthermore, it looks to increase the input of public finance, as well as investment from foreign entities. In addition, there have been some projects aiming to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation in rural areas and increase the sustainability of the water and sanitation sector, including the project “Tajikistan Water Supply and Sanitation (Phase II)” supported by United Nations 9 Republic of Tajikistan, National Development Strategy (NDS-2030), 2016 http://nafaka.tj/images/zakoni/new/strategiya_2030_en.pdf. 7