Prof Yunzhong Jiang, Secretary General of GWP China and Mr Rugang Zheng, Coordinator of GWP China were invited to the workshop. On behalf of GWP China, Prof Jiang addressed to GWP China Hebei’s Partners Meeting. He expressed the gratitude to the first and second councils of GWP China Hebei and the expectation to the new leading board of GWP China Hebei. Under the GWP Strategy Towards 2020 and the GWP China Strategy 2017-2019, GWP China Hebei is expected to promote water protection and sustainable development of water resources considering the actual conditions of the Province. The innovative think tank should be formed at provincial level, the exchange platform set up and the integrated water resources management (IWRM) further promoted. The water policies should be correctly understood and implemented with efficiency, the demand of individuals heard and the public involvement in water management through linking government and the public encouraged. GWP China will consistently support GWP China Hebei as usual in promoting IWRM in Hebei and water security of the Jing-Jin-Ji region. (The Jing-Jin-Ji region refers to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the three areas to grow increasingly integrated.)
Mr. Zhiqiang Li, Chair of GWP China Hebei, reported the work outcomes of GWP China Hebei from 2010 to 2016. Afterwards, the representatives voted for the 3rd council of GWP China Hebei. The Council was formed by 54 members from water and non-water sectors, 7 out of whom were female members. In order to promote Gender Strategy of GWP, GWP China Hebei paid more attention to the role of female in water management and decision making level. In the new leading board of GWP China Hebei, Mr. Jianyi Liang was elected as Chair; Prof Zhenci Xu as Vice Chair and Secretary General; and Mr Guanggui Zhang as Vice Chair. Mr Zhiqiang Li was invited as Honorary Chair.
GWP China Hebei also organized participants to have a water security system workshop next to the partners’ meeting. Prof Hao Wang, Standing Vice Chair of GWP China, made a presentation reflecting the water security progress, challenges and solutions of the Jing-Jin-Ji region.
The discussions in the workshop were resulted with several proposals for optimizing water security development strategies in Hebei Province, including a comprehensive water security system development plan from 2016 to 2020 and inter-regional development among Beijing & Tianjin Municipalities and Hebei Province.