With over 54 shared river basins in Africa, 15 being in the SADC regions, cooperation in the management and development of transboundary water resources is key to economic growth and integration.
The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security has entered its second year, and coinciding with this, the interactive series of sessions that explore related topics resumed on 21 September. Over 100 participants joined the event on the topic of international water law and dispute settlement. The speaker presentations highlighted the complex and long-running nature of international water disputes.
In its new Strategy for 2020-2025, GWP has committed to “purposefully reach out to and mobilise youth groups and younger individuals to confront water resources management challenges”. This statement is based on a commitment that GWP made in 2015, in its Youth Engagement Strategy. Now, a very tangible outcome is being introduced – a close collaboration with GWP and youth organisations to make sure that the voices of youth are heard.
The NGO WaterAid organized a workshop in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on March 30, 2021, bringing together key actors involved in the advocacy for climate resilient WASH services.
The process to develop a Concept Note for South Africa to mobilise US$10 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) kicked-off on 7 June, led by the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and supported by GWPSA, UNCCD, and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
Every year, all GWP Regions meet to brainstorm, share knowledge and learn about current challenges and future opportunities for the network at the annual regional days. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s regional days was held virtually for a period of four days, starting June 1st with over 100 participants at the opening plenary chaired by the outgoing Executive Secretary (ES), Monika Weber-Fahr . All regions were fully represented including GWP-CAf which was represented by the Regional Chair, Regional coordinator, as well as the Finance and Communications officers.
August 25-30, 2019, GWP had a strong presence at this year’s Stockholm World Water Week (WWW). A large delegation participated in over 30 sessions, and the GWP Strategy for 2020-2025 was launched at a side event. Youth Professionals’ booth – was jointly hosted by GWP and Asian Development Bank (ADB), sharing youth engagement stories and operation model by GWP China, ASEAN, GWPO, ADB youth and water teams, Central Asia Youth for Water Network and Water Youth Network.
GWP and Wuhan International Water Law Academy are co-organisers of a 6-part series called the "Transboundary Freshwater Security Governance Train." The second session took place on 16 February on “Ecosystems, International Law, and Transboundary Water Cooperation”. The event gathered over 100 participants, led by a panel of international experts who agreed that ecosystems protection has been gaining increased political acceptance and technical understanding in recent years.
