The crucial role of water ecosystems -and especially coastal wetlands- in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and the policy options on how to best protect and valorize them through a Nexus approach were discussed at a session co-convened by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) and Wetlands International during the recent World Water Week in Stockholm (27-31 August 2018).

The Mediterranean is a region rich in history but poor in water resources. The dry landscape led ancient civilisations to seek alternative resources to supply water in their communities. Local wisdom prompted the construction of cisterns to collect rainwater. Rain harvesting is a simple yet revolutionary idea, as it is a cost-efficient practice utilising a sustainable non conventional water source, embodying recycling and reuse principles. Translating traditional practices into modern solutions to address water scarcity was the starting point of the Non Conventional Water Resources Programme in the Mediterranean in 2008.

The uneven distribution and quality of water resources in the Tisza River Basin brings challenges on how to elaborate the Programme of Measures as required by the EU Water Framework Directive. The team of 43 experts is currently working on the update of River Basin Management Plan under the Interreg project JOINTISZA.

The project to accelerate Project Preparation in Transboundary Waters and Nexus approach in Africa ‘s Hydropower Projects

Lesotho Water Partnership is working with the department of Water Affairs in revising the Lesotho Water and Sanitation Policy of 2007.

After their recruitment as Technical Assistants, the two Young Professionals started the six-month internship on Monday 16th July 2018. The following day, they had an exchange session with the GWP-WA staff in order to get them to know the GWP network better and be familiar with the ongoing and planned actions and projects at regional and country levels.

Mr. Cheick Aboubacar BAMBARA and Boyla BASSOUROU are both nationals of Burkina Faso who joined GWP WA Secretariat in July 2018. They will support GWP - WA in the development and management of ongoing actions, programmes and projects in West Africa at the regional level and in some countries if relevant.

The GWP-WA Executive Secretariat Team met on 25 and 26 July 2018 at the premises of the Secretariat. The meeting aims were: (i) to make a mid-year assessment of the implementation of the annual work plan 2018 and (ii) to take the necessary steps to facilitate the attainment of the targeted objectives and the expected results by the end of the year for the network.

After the information meetings with elected representatives and communal actors from the project sites in Benin and Togo as well as with the associations of young farmers eligible for the initiative in Burkina Faso, the project will be launched on the ground at the community level in Benin and Togo in August and in Burkina Faso in September.