Darío Soto-Abril took up his new role as GWP Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 1 March. In this interview, he shares his vision for the network at a time when GWP celebrates its 25th Anniversary. He also reflects on his personal view of water, as he answers the World Water Day 2021 question on what water means to him. Going back to childhood memories of growing up in Colombia, he has two words for this: happiness and equality.
13 October marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The day is centered around the seven targets of the Sendai Framework, and this year focuses on Target D: reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) floods are the most common natural disaster with the largest impacts on society. GWP Senior Network Specialist Frederik Pischke says that there are great published insights that can help those in need to build resilience – online HelpDesks on flood & drought management offer practical support.
/ Brochures, Handbooks/Manuals/Guidelines / English
The Framework for Consultation of Non-State Actors in the Water and Sanitation Sector (CANEA) and the National Association of communes of Benin (ANCB) are advocating for better prioritization water and sanitation related issues in the communes.
The Indian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Hydrology Roorke jointly organise a biannual, international conference on water issues. On 26-28 February 2020, the Roorkee Water Conclave will be held on the topic of "Hydrological Aspects of Climate Change". It takes place in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
The SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme, coordinated by GWP in collaboration with the UN Environment-DHI Centre and UNDP Cap-Net, has facilitated a coordinated approach to monitoring and enhancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.5, implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). In 2019 four pilot countries were supported to create an IWRM Action Plan. Some lessons on how the experience gained can be put to practical use in other countries have now been captured in a summary report.
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.
The 2020 GWP Network Meeting concluded on 22 October, with over 900 GWP Partners signed up for the virtual event and others watching the Facebook Live feed. The overall theme was ‘Bringing the Change’ in the context of the GWP 2020-2025 Strategy and as the world faces a pandemic.
Water Europe is moving forward with an all-digital edition of its annual conference Water Innovation Europe (WIE) 2020. It will be an online ‘Innovative Water Week’ 22-26 June, with online plenary sessions, digital working group meetings, digital networking and digital exhibition opportunities.
