22 April is Earth Day. Celebrated since 1970, Earth Day has evolved into one of the largest civic events on Earth, activating billions of people across 192 countries to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter future. The 2024 theme, Planet vs. Plastics, revolves around the idea of building a plastic-free planet for generations to come.
The ACCISI-GEM project marked an impressive success for natural resources conservation and sustainable farming in water-stressed Northern Tunisia, helping farmers increase agricultural production by 27%, while reducing irrigation water use by 3%.
The Regional Council of GWP SAS nominated the Executive Director/CEO of GWP Pakistan/Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP), Mr Sardar Muhammad Tariq as the new Regional Chair (Interim), starting from 15 January 2024 through the end of the year.
Burkina Faso, with the financial and technical support of the Secretariat of the Water Convention, has organized a national workshop to inform stakeholders about the process of acceding to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. GWP-WA provided technical and financial support for this national meeting.
Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources. This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 Member States, whose population in 2018, was estimated to be at 345.2 million, a rise from 336.9 million as of 2017. Rivers play a pivotal role in the region's socio-economic development, as evidenced by its reliance on these waterways. Southern Africa boasts of 15 major transboundary river basins, shared among neighbouring countries, with 13 basins entirely within the region's borders. However, the equitable distribution of water resources remains a challenge, exacerbated by climatic factors influencing rainfall patterns and the geographical distribution of river basins. While these rivers can spark conflicts, they also serve as conduits for peace and cooperation. Therefore, prioritizing transboundary water cooperation is not merely about economic prosperity but also essential for nurturing stability and harmony throughout the region.
This year, World Water Week broke with traditional themes by showcasing innovation for a ‘water-wise world’. The foremost annual water conference brought more than 15,000 participants to Stockholm – physically and virtually – to rethink how we can responsibly manage water with the aid of innovation. With more than 20 events as well as a booth, GWP played its part in putting water at the centre of development.
