In June 2024, Somalia concluded the implementation of a two-year Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to access climate finance. Approved in November 2021, the project was designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, as the country’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to access and manage climate finance, develop GCF Country Programme and develop investment concept notes. Implementation of these three main activities under the GCF Readiness Programme and its successful completion is a significant step in Somalia's journey towards climate resilience and sustainable development.
On September 6, 2024, the Global Water Partnership China (GWP China) hosted the "Research Conference on Energy Transition and Water Resources Management in Water-scarce Areas of China" at the Yingze Hotel in Taiyuan, capital city of Shanxi Province.
The 3rd WEFE Inter-ministerial Group meeting led by the Ministry of Energy and Water, Lebanon and facilitated by GWP-Med under the GEF UNEP/MAP MedProgramme addressed the issue of water data availability and gaps, marking a step forward towards cross-institutional collaboration, essential for integrated natural resources management.
The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) embarked on an innovative Pilot project to tackle water scarcity in the agricultural sector. In response to Grenada’s most recent drought experienced this year, GWP-C sought to promote strategies to tackle water scarcity and implement procedures for water conservation. As such the organisation raised awareness on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture through the use of IRROGOPTIMAL technology.
Integrating hydro-climatic risk assessments, climate change adaptation strategies and machine learning fundamentals, as mechanisms to address the region’s water resource challenges, were areas presented during two-day workshop held at the Bay Gardens Hotel in St. Lucia.
In a collaborative effort to ensure the integrity and reliability of essential water infrastructure, GWP-C teamed up with Daniel and Daniel Engineering Inc. to conduct a comprehensive site inspection at the intake structure/dam and transmission/Distribution mains located in Mt. Granby, St. John. The seven-man technical team, assembled by Daniel and Daniel Engineering Inc., carried out the inspection under the expert guidance of retiree Michael “Freshy” Fleming.
The governments of Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint management and development of the Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin, a transboundary river basin traversing across the three SADC member states. Ministers of Water from the three member states; Hon. Abida Mia from Malawi, Hon. Carlos Alberto Fortes Mesquita from Mozambique, and Hon. Jumas Hamidu Aweso from Tanzania, signed the MoU on behalf of their countries.
GWP Eastern Africa Regional coordinator George Sanga joined participants from the Netherlands and 7 Africa countries (Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa), and Dutch Blue Deal partners for a workshop on sustainable financing of Integrated Water Resource Management. He shared the GWPEA experience with implementing the SDG6 IWRM Support Program on how the Blue Deal program can replicate the Matchmaking Initiative pilot in Kenya to mobilize financial resources in target countries.
These topics of water pricing, nature-based solutions, financial opportunities were discussed and an interesting excursion gave insights into the challenges of a local WRUA (Water Resources Users Association) in implementation of a Mangrove restauration project on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
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.
