News

GWP Eastern Africa used a recent conference to showcase GWP's philosophy, its current drive to mobilise collective efforts towards climate change adaptation and the role youth can play in lessening the effects of climate change in Eastern Africa.

In a series of consultative workshops held between August and December 2012, Rwanda and Burundi water and climate stakeholders pledged to support the successful implementation of the Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) in the Lake Cyohoha transboundary water catchment.

The acting Chair of the Regional Steering Committee for Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa, Prof Munguti Katua, told 15 delegates from Country Water Partnerships that GWP’s vision—‘a water secure world is achievable, if the present momentum is kept.”

On 25 April, GWP Rwanda took a first step to implement the Water Resources Management (WRM) Strategy of Rwanda by holding a workshop, jointly organized with the Netherlands Development Organization under the theme: "Towards IWRM through collaboration and partnerships between all actors at all levels".

Within the framework of implementing the climate change related commitments of the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration on Water and Sanitation, GWP and AMCOW are implementing the Water Climate Development programe (WACDEP). The WACDEP aims to support African countries develop No/low regrets Water Security and Climate Resilience Investment Strategies, Plans and projects, and promote the integration of water security and climate resilience into national development plans.

Regional Nile Day celebrations in 2012 will be held on the 19th and 20th of February this year. National celebrations will happen at the same time. The theme will be ‘Water, Energy, Food: Importance of Nile Cooperation’.

The Africa Water Facility review mission to Burundi has concluded that the IWRM planning process has achieved its purpose and has recommended financial support to implement the plan. The mission also decided to use its experience in Burundi as a building block for other countries in Eastern Africa and transboundary water management.

GWP Regional coordinator participated in the Strategic dialogue of the Nile Basin Initiative, Kampala, Uganda, which was held on the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th of November 2011.

GWP Eastern Africa promoted the participation of Sudan Water Partnership national coordinator and member into a Young Water Professionals conference on the 11th, 12th and 13th of December in Kampala, Uganda, an event that was organized by International Water Association/African Water Association /National Water Sewage Corporation of Uganda conference.

GWP Country Water Partnerships met November 6 to start work on a road map for an initiative between the GWP Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Nile Basin Initiative. Participants agreed that WACDEP will be implemented as a joint programme with the UNEP climate change adaptation project on the Nile Basin. GWP Eastern Africa is supporting UNEP to build stakeholder capacities.