Minutes/ Action points
Coca-Cola Central Europe Division
Triester Strasse, 217, A-1230
Vienna
Tuesday 24 Jan 2006 (10:00 am – 16:30pm)
MEETING ATTENDEES:
- Dr Kadri Ozen:
- Hansin Dogan:
- Ben Slay:
- Karolina Mzyk:
- Juerg Staudenmann:
- Lovita Ramguttee:
Public Affairs and Communications Manager, CocaCola, Eurasia and Middle East Division1
Private Sector Programme Manager, UNDP Istanbul,
Turkey
Director, Bratislava Regional Centre
Private Sector Engagement Analyst, Bratislava Regional
Centre
Water Governance Advisor, Bratislava Regional
Centre
Business Partnership Coordinator, UNDP, RBEC
1.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
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A follow-up to the meeting which took place in Istanbul in October, 2005
(between UNDP RBEC - Kalman Mizsei and Jakob Simonsen - and Mr.
Ahmet Bozer, President of Coca-Cola, Eurasia and Middle East Division
(EMED), and his team (see minutes of meeting attached).
There is an ongoing partnership between UNDP Turkey and Coca-Cola on
the Hayata + (Life +) project, signed in May 2005, and which is designed to
support youth projects aiming to improve their quality of lives (see document
attached for more details of the project)
It is understood that the ‘Life +’ project will be replicated, initially, in at least
3 other countries of the region (ıt may not be right to mention the names of
the countries yet)
The objective of this January meting was to explore further areas of
cooperation between Coca-Cola and UNDP, with a focus on a regional water
initiative.
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2.
AGENDA
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Presentation of team
1
This Division covers the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey and Balkans
1
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Power point presentations by each organization, highlighting respective work
in water-related issues in particular and sharing ideas for possible areas of
partnership
Brainstorming on framework for partnership
3.
SUMMARY OF MEETING
(A)
General overview of presentation from Coca-Cola
Why is water a priority area for Coca-Cola and why a partnership with UNDP?
(Kadri Ozen)
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Water a main ingredient in Coca-Cola products
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Non-availability of water will not only collapse their industry but also,
adversely impact communities, which is an important market for Coca-Cola
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Focus resources on water, not only for the company’s image, but also
contribute positively to the environment and to achieve “real changes”
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Strong commitment on water, as demonstrated by Coca-Cola’s Global Water
Initiative and the Water Risk Assessment Report prepared by Coca-Cola
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Coca-Cola’s “water expertise” (sustainable water and natural resources
management) could be leveraged, besides financial contributions
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Awareness of the Coca Cola Company management about Global Compact
and commitment towards Corporate Social Responsibility.

Decision to work under a more strategic approach (rather than a lot of
“unstructured giveaways”), preferably with one organization - UNDP and its
global presence and strengths is attractive to Coca Cola, hence the decision to
work with UNDP to achieve sustainable solution to water-related issues

Coca-Cola priority with regard to water-related initiative matches UNDP
agenda since it is related to governance issues, poverty, environment and the
MDG 7 (Access to Safe Water)

Considering a regional partnership with UNDP but with respect to local
priorities

Link the Human Development Report 2006 to the UNDP/Coca-Cola
partnership – using the launch to kick off programme and partnership for
water-related issues2

Expectation from UNDP:

UNDP to share with Coca-Cola information on specific water-related
projects in each countries in the region

UNDP to provide advice to Coca-Cola on which partners to work with
Type of partnership envisaged and expected funding
2
Suggestion by UNDP that it also be an opportunity to present the partnership during the Vienna Conference
on Business and MDGs on 21-22 June, 2006
2
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Long term partnership and strategic set of activities for real impact and
sustainable solution to water challenges and transparency to senior
management
Regional partnership envisaged whilst respecting national/local priorities
Significant yearly funding (targeted in the range of $1 million, subject to HQ
support and UNDP’s commitment levels) over next 5 years possible from
Coca-Cola side to ensure impactful outcomes
Expects UNDP to also make a significant contribution, financial and nonfinancial
(B)
General overview of presentation / remarks from UNDP
(see UNDP power point presentation attached)
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Highlighted water-related challenges in the region

Pressures on water resources and water quality:

Legacies of inadequate investment

Challenges in relation to trans-border water usage
UNDP’s global response to the challenges and water projects in the region
UNDP’s engagement with the private sector and ongoing and possible future
partnerships with Coca-Cola

Joint project activities at the regional (for instance, regional replication
of TEST3 approach), national and local level;

Coca-Cola as “champion” in cleaner production programme

Awareness and education (like e.g. with ICPDR in the Danube River)

Replication of Life+ project

Coca-Cola possible participation in the Global Compact4

Adopt GSB type partnership models5

Regional publications in the pipeline which could be jointly conceived
(for instance, the HDR 2006 is focused on water)

Possibility of “blended funds” (grants and loans)
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(C)
Comments from Coca-Cola following UNDP’s presentation
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Coca-Cola may refrain from being seen as part of political activities, for
instance in cross-border water initiatives
On the other hand, Coca-Cola expressed interest in acting as a ‘Champion’
for the TEST project (within or beyond the Danube River Basin) to
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Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) to reduce Transboundary pollution in River
Basins
4
Coca Cola Hellenic Bottlers Company (bottlers which are outsourced by Coca Cola) in Greece and Ghana
already participate in the network. We are given to understand that Coca Cola Company may consider, at a
later stage, to join the Global Compact
5
Coca Cola is already doing so through, for example, local sourcing of raw materials like sugar, labels, etc.
3
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4.
spearhead lobbying for other peer companies (may consider involving its
Western Europe operations in the partnership)
With regard to the Danube Regional Project (see attachment) and its
replication, Coca-Cola can allocate some funds from its ‘Water Fund’ for
awareness building regarding lessons learnt from the Danube project6
Access to Water in rural areas another possible focus
Coca-Cola to consider partnership in selected countries where both
organizations have overlapping geographical coverage7 of existing strong
presence and capacities, and undertake a needs assessment accordingly
Partnership to execute local community projects and other joint activities
should envisage at the same time (a) sustainable long term outcomes and (b)
‘quick impact’ (and visibility)
UNDP’s access to local government and NGO networks an asset for joint
projects
PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK
Both organizations agreed to focus the partnership on water-related projects and
interventions on 3 components:
(i)
Partnership programme directly related to MDG7 –projects and interventions
which increase “Access to Safe Drinking Water to Improve People’s Lives”.
Here, the focus is on improving the quality of local water service delivery,
particularly to households and in rural areas.
(ii)
Good practices in industrial Water (and Natural Resources?) Management.
Here, the focus is in improving respeonsible commercial water usage.
(iii) Advocacy and communication
(A) Partnership programme related to MDG7: “Access to Safe Drinking Water to
Improve People’s Lives”
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Steps to consider for identification of countries and projects

5 focus countries have been identified by Coca-Cola and UNDP for
the 1st year (pilot phase) namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey,
Romania and Croatia but subject to the following criterion:
sufficient information
reliable statistics
available local capacities
This is UNDP’s last year in the Danube project partnership and UNDP will shortly prepare a paper,
capturing lessons learnt from the project and how to replicate same elsewhere
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16 countries where both UNDP and Coca Cola have overlapping strong presence and capacities: Croatia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Turkey, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzsthan, Tajikistan – Russia, Ukraine and
Belarus to be considered at a later stage of the partnership
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4
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country office interest
UNDP outreach / networking available
Links to ongoing capacity development initiative
Needs assessment regionally and for the different countries regarding
issues and challenges (access to water as well as other water-related
challenges)
Based on findings of needs assessment and research phase, follow-up
activities:
prepare local action plans
undertake local capacity development for project
implementation through small grants and technical assistance
project formulation which may include the following areas,
among others: education; community engagement; innovative
environmental solutions; industrial capacity, and local
entrepreneurships
(B)
Good Practice in Industrial Water and Natural Resources (?) Management
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To focus on TEST upscaling and replication in other Danube Riparian
countries (suggested countries include Czech Rep., Serbia and Montenegro,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine and Slovenia)
Coca-Cola Eurasia and Middle East Division flexible to work in other
countries not falling under its division – as a ‘Champion’ for the Danube
project to other peers (may consider involving its Western Europe
counterparts in the partnership)
With regard to quick win projects, it was suggested that Coca-Cola may
consider engaging in further up-scaling of activities in existing pilotcountries from the first TEST-project phase, e.g. Romania and Croatia
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(C)
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Advocacy and Communication
Joint publications (RHDR on water, an issue of the regional Development
and Transition newsletter devoted to water issues, technical publication
and/or “How-to-guide” summarizing success of the finished TEST-project,
others?)
Possible global/regional launch of the global “Water and Development” HDR
in Istanbul – to consult with HDRO, COA.
Other Knowledge management initiatives (e.g., WaterWiki).
5.
MANAGEMENT AND FUNDING STRUCTURE
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It was agreed that details regarding management and funding structure be
discussed at a later stage, once the concept paper has been drafted and
beneficiary countries / projects are identified
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6.
Coordination from UNDP side: Hansin Dogan from the private sector office
in Istanbul has been identified to be the main coordinating person for the
partnership, given the currently ongoing partnership project between UNDP
Turkey office and Coca-Cola and the location of Coca-Cola Eurasia and
Middle East Division in Istanbul. Hansin will coordinate with BRC,
headquarter and country offices, as adequate.
It is expected that technical expertise will be organized by the regional water
and private sector development (PSD) sub-practices, as supported by Juerg
Staudenmann and Karolina Mzyk in the BRC. This will among other things
entail management of resources for regional water and PSD programming.
TIMEFRAME
Time/date
Event
14th October 2005
Leadership level meeting in Istanbul between UNDP
RBEC and Coca-Cola EMED
Meeting between UNDP Turkey and Coca-Cola to develop
a framework for cooperation
20th January 2006
24th January 2006
Meeting between UNDP RBEC/Bratislava Regional
Centre, UNDP Turkey and Coca-Cola
5th and 6th February Regional meeting of Res. Reps., including presentation by
2006
Coca-Cola on UNDP/Coca-Cola partnership
Mid-February 2006
Circulate concept paper of UNDP/Coca-Cola partnership
to Resident Representatives for comment and feedback
End February
Prepare a more detailed concept paper based on comments
received and research undertaken
March 2006 (dates not Meeting in Istanbul between Coca-Cola and UNDP
yet determined)
RBEC/Bratislava Regional Centre/country office Res.
Reps to validate contents of concept paper and come up
with a Partnership Strategy decision
7.
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR MARCH ISTANBUL MEETING

Expected participants from UNDP (Director of UNDP RBEC;
interested/identified country office Res. Reps; cluster heads; HDR Office and
Bratislava Regional Centre among others)
Proposed areas of focus of the 2-day meeting will be the following:
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6
DAY 1
 Coca-Cola HQ (Global Water Initiative + Risk Assessment Report) + UNDP
strategy and approach – half day
 Existing partnership
 Replication of Life+ project
 Presentation and validation of contents of concept paper (end of day 1)
DAY 2
 Recap of discussion on Day 1
 Agreement on way forward (specific activity ideas, etc)
 HDR + other issues
8.
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ACTION POINTS
Juerg to share full TEST document to Kadri Ozen + outline of strategy
regarding replication of TEST
Prepare concept paper to be shared with UNDP country offices + RBEC HQ
and Coca Cola
Lovita - share with Kadri Ozen concept paper on ‘Business and MDGs’ event
in Vienna in June, 2006
Kadri Ozen – to share with UNDP structure of Coca-Cola / water-related
activities / Water Fund
7