The UNDP-GEF Project “Supporting Sustainable Inclusive Blue Economy Transformation in African Small Island Developing States (African SIDS), through the African Union Commission and GWPSA, participated in an IW: Learn Twinning Exchange organised as part of the Global Environment Facility International Waters (GEF IW): LEARN 5 initiatives to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing between International Waters projects across regions. The exchange activities took place in Colombia and Belize from 27 October to 4 November 2025.
In the arid landscapes of Djibouti, women have long carried the weight of their households; walking long distances to fetch water, managing domestic responsibilities, and sustaining livelihoods with limited resources. These burdens stretch women’s time, affect their wellbeing, restrict their opportunities for economic development, while exposing them to heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), especially during long, unsafe journeys in search of water or income.
The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) participated in the 8th International River and Environment Cooperation (REMCO) Conference, held in Maputo, Mozambique, from 3 to 7 November 2025. Convening more than 150 delegates from Mozambique, Eswatini, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Germany, the conference served as a critical platform for advancing collaborative strategies to strengthen transboundary water governance and climate resilience across the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.
Small holder farmers and pastoralists in Djibouti are increasingly exposed to climate risks, with recurrent droughts that continue to threaten food security and livelihoods. To help address this challenge, especially in the IGAD region, the DRESSEA project, funded by the Adaptation Fund through the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and implemented regionally by Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWPEA), is supporting: Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda to produce regular, impact based drought bulletins.
The Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) continues to inspire large-scale water-investment efforts across the world. Following calls from world leaders, including H.E. Ban Ki-moon, 8th UN Secretary-General, and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, to replicate Africa’s proven model in other regions, momentum is now building for the USD 20 billion Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Water Investment Programme, set for launch in 2026.
On 22 September 2025, the G20 Presidential Legacy-Global Outlook Council on Water Investments will convene a High-Level Consultative Dialogue on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Pakistan is grappling with one of the most severe flood emergencies in recent history. Since 26 June, relentless monsoon rains have triggered widespread flash floods across the country, severely impacting the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Sindh.
The AIP-African Union Multi-Country Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project has officially been launched in the Central African Republic. The launch took place during a high-level workshop held in Bangui on August 22, 2025, with financial support from the GCF and technical support from Global Water partnership – Central Africa.
At the AU – AIP Africa Water Investment Summit 2025, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13 – 15 August 2025, H.E. Retno Marsudi, United Nations Special Envoy on Water, delivered a powerful address affirming her commitment to advancing Africa’s water agenda.
Against the backdrop of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the first hosted by an African nation, 2,000 delegates will convene in Cape Town from 13-15 August 2025 for the inaugural AU-AIP Water Investment Summit, a strategic platform to drive water-related investments and reforms. Over 80 transformative water projects from across the continent will be showcased to potential funders & investors, through which possible deals will be signed.
