In our series of inter-regional discussions on gender equality and social inclusion, GWP’s Liza Debevec invited GWP South Asia’s Lal Induruwage, and Ashish Barua of the Swiss development organisation Helvetas, to talk about meaningful and inclusive participation in decision-making and partnerships. This is something both their countries – Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – have made great progress on in policies. However, they both agree that gaps still exist between policies and reality on the ground. One of the big challenges is lack of accountability.
The countdown to the world’s largest water event is under way and this year, for the first time, the World Water Forum will be held in sub-Saharan Africa.
GWP capitalised on the unique opportunity offered by the 9th World Water Forum – as a place of convergence for stakeholders across its global membership – to host a two-day workshop on the Global Water Leadership (GWL) Programme. GWL country and regional leads met for the first time to discuss plans for the second year of the programme and explore how they can encourage cross-sectoral cooperation while also engaging face-to-face with experts from the GWP network.
Building on the success of the previous trainings, and growing demand for knowledge and skills relevant to the preparation and financing of transboundary water projects, GWP hosted, with partners, the Pan-Africa Capacity Building Workshop on International Water Law and Water Governance: for improved practices in transboundary water investments in Africa, in Entebbe, Uganda 19-23 September 2022.
In 2021, GWP and Wuhan International Water Law Academy are co-organising an interactive online series called the "Transboundary freshwater security governance train". The series of online engagements sessions will be conducted in an approach of a ‘train’ stopping at various locations in the world, with focus on topics related to transboundary freshwater security from different parts of the world. At each of the stops, a different topic from the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security will be explored. The first session is on transboundary water agreements, and it takes place on 19 January, stopping in Africa, Europe and Asia.
A 3-part webinar series took place in February and March to highlight and clarify linkages between water and climate in national climate action plans, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and various investment mechanisms. “For me, the stories from countries were the best part. I think they speak to all of us and tell us what it's really like to change theory into implementation on the ground,” said Dani Gaillard-Picher, GWP Global Coordinator for Water and Climate Processes, in her summary of the series.
Year 2021 has been quite challenging for everyone. Nevertheless, GWP CEE did it’s best to push the GWP mission forward. Let’s review the deeds together.