The decision was made after reviewing GWP presentations on the network’s operations and activities on 11-12 December 2013 in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar.
The Mongolia Water Partnership (MWP) was established in the spring of 2013, with the aim to consolidate different stakeholders involved in water management – including the Mongolian Parliament, governmental authorities, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
As Mongolia’s economy is growing, there is a strong recognition that the water sector needs increased capacities to meet existing and future challenges. Since GWP is a well-established global actor, with an advancing and promoting Integrated Water Resources Management approach, MWP decided to join the network to benefit from available knowledge and practical implementation experience.
Following commitments made during the high-level visit of the Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to the GWP Secretariat in 2012, MWP and GWP teams have been building the partnership and investigating opportunities for cooperation. The visit in December was the second in 2013, where joint activities were discussed and planned for 2014 and beyond.
The President of MWP, Member of Parliament Mr. Dogsom Battsogt, has confirmed a high level of engagement and commitment from the Mongolian side to advance IWRM and institutionalize cooperation with GWP. He has also offered to organize a regional event in 2014 and host a Regional Water Partnership, if feasible.
GWP hopes that the formal accession processes will be finalized in the coming days.
Photo: (from the right) GWP Senior Network Officer Natalia Alexeeva, GWP CACENA Regional Coordinator Vadim Sokolov and MWP Executive Director Davaa Basandorj