Establishing strong partnerships is key to delivering GWP strategy and the implementation of programmes, says Mr Alex Simalabwi Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Executive Secretary and Head Africa Coordination Unit.
Bangkok, Thailand (12/8/2017). Southeast Asia is particularly vulnerable to climate change for several reasons. First and foremost, in many of these countries large portions of the population live in poverty. The proportion of the population living below the poverty line ranges from the lowest in Thailand at 10.2% to 53% in Lao PDR (ADB 2008). The poor are particularly vulnerable to climate change, as they lack the resources necessary for many types of adaptive actions. With its extensive coastlines, Southeast Asia is also home to many millions of people living at low elevations that are at risk from sea level rise. Moreover, ongoing social and environmental challenges in the region – notably growing income inequality, rising food prices, and widespread deforestation – contribute to social vulnerability and make climate change more likely to bring significant harms.
Water is a key component of ensuring climate action. A GWP delegation was in Bonn, Germany, to convey this message and raise the profile of water at the UN climate talks, COP23, which took place 6-17 November. Rapid implementation to the Paris Agreement is paramount to battle climate change. Water is integral to build climate resilience and is therefore a crucial component of implementing the Paris Agreement. And GWP is well positioned to help countries deliver on the adaptation components of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
To contribute to water security in the communities of Valle de Jiboa, El Salvador, where communities face water scarcity, the Association of Municipalities (MIJIBOA) and the Women's Network of Valle del Jiboa, in partnership with the National Foundation for Development (FUNDE), GWP Central America and Mexichem, installed 7 rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems between February to September 2017. The initiative had a gender focus, as the women of the area were an active part of the implementation of the project.
The period between 2011 and 2016 saw Global Water Partnership Africa Coordination Unit (GWP –CU) mobilising Euro 19.5 million for water security and climate resilience development in Africa through the Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP).
The 2nd Consultation Workshop on enhancing the potential for Private Sector Participation in Water Infrastructure in Lebanon, with emphasis on the role of Banks was organised on 10 October 2017 as part of the National Policy Dialogue on Governance and Financing of water projects.
GWP SAS held a Sub Regional Coordination Meeting leading to 8th World Water Forum in Brasilia back-to-back with the Annual Regional Council meeting on 29 October 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
GWP has been implementing the Water, Climate and Development Program for Africa (WACDEP) as part of the work plan of the African Union’s African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW). The First Phase of WACDEP has been implemented in 8 countries and 5 transboundary basins in Africa. AMCOW, during the Africa Water Week in July 2016 in Tanzania, endorsed WACDEP to be expanded to additional 10 countries. Kenya is one of the countries selected for the second phase of WACDEP.
WACDEP in Kenya is being implemented to support emerging priorities of the country on climate change, financing, sustainable development goals and investment preparation. It will be linked to the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) Process, particularly focusing on Water.
GWP has been implementing the Water, Climate and Development Program for Africa (WACDEP) as part of the work plan of the African Union’s African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW). The First Phase of WACDEP has been implemented in 8 countries and 5 transboundary basins in Africa. AMCOW, during the Africa Water Week in July 2016 in Tanzania, endorsed WACDEP to be expanded to additional 10 countries. Kenya is one of the countries selected for the second phase of WACDEP.
WACDEP in Kenya is being implemented to support emerging priorities of the country on climate change, financing, sustainable development goals and investment preparation. It will be linked to the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) Process, particularly focusing on Water
On October 11, 2017, Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Chair of GWP, visited GWP China Regional Office. Mdm Qihua CAI, Regional Chair of GWP China, met with Dr. Oyun.
