This article is part of a wider coverage of the “MENA Focus” events, a set of four regional sessions dedicated to the Middle East & North Africa, officially launched at the Stockholm World Water Week 2016, alongside the Regional Days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) had been selected and serves as the overall coordinator for these “MENA Focus” events. The sessions were organized in partnership with a number of international regional institutions and organisations. “Seeking answers to the MENA water crisis” was the first out of the four sessions, held on the 30th of August.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate (MEWC) in partnership with the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) organised the 1st Zimbabwe Stakeholders Committee for the Zambezi meeting on the 18th of September 2015. Water and Climate Change Programme (WACDEP) Zimbabwe team were among the 33 participants who converged at the Harare Safari Lodge to participate during the meeting.
2015 is a milestone with the new UN Sustainable Development Goals and the upcoming COP 21 on Climate Change in Paris in December. For the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), 2015 is the “water” year. Water is the main agricultural production factor impacted by climate change. In the Global Water Partnership (GWP), partners are joining forces at country, regional and global levels to contribute to sustainable development in the face of climate change. This initiative, in Sub Saharan Africa, will, in an inclusive manner, identify challenges and technical and institutional priority actions, and implement concrete activities at all levels. Read more
In accordance with Protocol of Intentions signed on 20th December 2013 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan and Korean Institute of Construction Technology (KICT) about development of information system for water sector of Uzbekistan, Regional Secretariat of GWP CACENA arranged a working visit of KICT delegation to Uzbekistan during 11-18 May 2014. The delegation included Dr. Kim Hyun Jun, Director of Department in KICT, Dr. Hong Ilpyo, Project Manager and Mr. Lee Joonseok, IT Expert.
GWPEA in collaboration with CapNet and Uganda National Water and Sewage Corporation organized a five days training for Young Water Professionals on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Climate change
GWP took part in the fith Africa Water Week held in Dakar from 26 to 31 May 2014. There were four sub themes (1. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene : Partnerships, Innovations, and Investements- Post-2015 ; 2. Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development ; 3 : Waste water Management and Water quality ; 4 : Water and Disaster Risk Management) and GWP was one of the lead conveners in Sub themes 2 and 3 and co-conveners in sub theme 4.
In addition to all presentations made, GWP had an exhibition booth which was well visited by participants for documentation. Many GWP Africa regions brought some documentation to add to Global documentation.
The Strengthening Institutions of Transboudary Water in Africa (SITWA), a GWP/ANBO programme hosted by OMVS also invited its partner RBOs who brought some documentation exhibited at GWP booth.
Senegal PM (purple) visits GWP booth in company of AMCOW interim Chair and ANBO Chair
Participants visit GWP booth for documentation
GWP booth receives visitors
“Many activities had been done and showed progress in the past five years, but there are also still remaining a lot of challenges and many IWRM activities need to be done in the coming years. However, the new phase of strategy implementation has to be improved and aligned with national natural resources strategy and other water related sector plans as well as the 8th national socio-economic development plans of the government 2016-2020” said Mr. Thoumma Saluemxay, Deputy Director General of Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The workshop on 26 May 2015 highlighted that The Lao National Water Resources Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2015 implementation and development is very crucial for water sector collaboration among stakeholders in the country since the last five years of review.