Every year, all GWP Regions meet to brainstorm, share knowledge and learn about current challenges and future opportunities for the network at the annual regional days. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s regional days was held virtually for a period of four days, starting June 1st with over 100 participants at the opening plenary chaired by the outgoing Executive Secretary (ES), Monika Weber-Fahr . All regions were fully represented including GWP-CAf which was represented by the Regional Chair, Regional coordinator, as well as the Finance and Communications officers.
GWP-WA has signed in February with IUCN Central and West Africa Regional Office an executing agreement for the implementation of activities included in the Regional Partnership on Water and Environment in Central and West Africa (PREE) project funded by SIDA.
The 2020 GWP Network Meeting concluded on 22 October, with over 900 GWP Partners signed up for the virtual event and others watching the Facebook Live feed. The overall theme was ‘Bringing the Change’ in the context of the GWP 2020-2025 Strategy and as the world faces a pandemic.
From 4 to 10 April 2021 in Lomé, Togo, GWP-WA’s National IWRM Consultant participated in the mission to conduct a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) expected to lead to develop a high-quality concept note for the project for building the resilience of vulnerable Communities in the country through providing IWRM and WASH climate-sensitive services.
The Mekrou Project Phase 2 – Niger component has started an active implementation phase with the beginning of consulting missions for the operationalization of IWRM in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger.
The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on transboundary freshwater security opened in August 2020. A year on, the MOOC has attracted over 2,300 participants from 150 countries, and the course is confirmed for another year on the same platform – with more language versions in the making to reach an even greater audience, and with more interactive events to engage participants. Chinese video subtitles are already available, and several other translations are under preparation.
On 7 October, GWP Chair Howard Bamsey was the keynote speaker in the second of a series of webinars organized by the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) on the road towards the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in 2022. He spoke to the topic of "Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Investors: More Risks, More Opportunities through better Governance." His speech focused on how the world can deal with the potentially catastrophic risks of climate change by changing the pattern of investment in the global economy, towards climate-friendly activities.
The United Nations World Water Day (WWD) is observed annually on March 22nd. This year's theme is: Water and Climate Change. One of the ways the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) will be commemorating the Day, is through the launch of its WWD Photo Contest.
The water discovery industry is known for its risks. It is often difficult to satisfy the needs of both communities and economic activities. Furthermore, water contamination, salinity, and pollution have increased the scarcity of finding water that is available for human consumption according to WHO standards without the need to undertake an additional treatment.
Fortunately, with improved technology and methodology, we can now found water in difficult environment.
The finalists of the Water ChangeMaker Awards have been announced at the 2020 GWP Network Meeting. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs for the Green Climate Fund, Chair of the stage two Water ChangeMaker thought leaders’ jury and former GWP Chair, presented the 12 change journeys that now enter the final stage of the Awards.
