Following the launch of Regional Strategy on Drought Risk Management and Mitigation for South Asia at the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the UNCCD which was held on 10 December 2024, the countries of GWP SAS conducted mini-launches and key stakeholder consultations locally. The key stakeholder consultations around the strategy facilitated identifying the national level priorities that should be developed into action plans by keeping the regional strategy as the guide.
On May 31, 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Lao PDR, represented by the CREWS Project's Focal Point, and GWP SEA, through the GWP Lao PDR, held a Hybrid Kick-off Meeting on the Development of Drought Management and IWRM Action Plan at the Vientiane Plaza Hotel in Lao PDR.
Drought resilience and biodiversity conservation are closely interlinked. Conservation efforts that protect and restore biodiversity help maintain ecosystem services, such as water retention and soil health, which are crucial for mitigating the impacts of drought. Healthy and diverse ecosystems can also withstand and recover from droughts more easily. Thus, preserving biodiversity strengthens ecosystems’ natural ability to endure drought conditions and enhances long-term sustainability.
The Alter Aqua project in Malta, implemented by GWP-Med in collaboration with Malta's Energy & Water Agency and funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation recently inaugurated its latest phase of works: 3 new traditional reservoirs restored, and a new digital 'Reservoir Trail' created, taking visitors on a self-guided tour across Malta's historical cisterns.
With technical support from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), the governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe have developed a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Buzi, Pungwe, and Save (BUPUSA) River Basins. Upon finalization, the TDA is expected to inform the priorities for unlocking investments for reduction in environmental degradation, reduction in poverty, improved water quality, green and grey infrastructure development, flood control, and improved water governance of the BUPUSA Basins.
The Niger Basin Authority's project ‘Improving IWRM, knowledge-based management and governance of the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden - Taoudéni/Tanezrouft aquifer system’ (NB-ITTAS) is holding the first session of the regional platform of the Park W transboundary ecosystem in Ouagadougou from 28 to 30 April 2025.
Jointly hosted by GWP and IW:Learn, the session focuses on the potential of regional dialogues to advance transboundary cooperation and explores practical challenges.
