The crucial role of water ecosystems -and especially coastal wetlands- in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and the policy options on how to best protect and valorize them through a Nexus approach were discussed at a session co-convened by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) and Wetlands International during the recent World Water Week in Stockholm (27-31 August 2018).
On 26 June, GWP Poland organized a seminar Inland navigation from European perspective, which was held at the Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology.
Howard Bamsey, the new chair of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), was the UN ambassador to Geneva, special envoy for climate change, and top leader of the Green Climate Foundation (GCF). Being invited to "the Master Lecture" organised by the IWHR, he brought a unique standpoint in the relationship between ‘climate change’ and ‘policies’. “A fall into the pit again in your wit” embedded in his insight and analysis on the lessons and learned, revealing political difficulties and challenges.
GWP held its annual Regional Days meeting on 1-4 June. The virtual event set a record in numbers, with over 120 GWP participants worldwide. While the main purpose is to have a shared understanding of GWP priorities and approaches, one of the highlights this year was the ‘virtual signing’ of a grant agreement between GWP and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on readiness support to the Zambia National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
The INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "RATIONAL USE OF WATER RESOURCES - KEY FOR ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS" organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the State Committee of Water Resources took place from 5-6 November 2019 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. GWP's new Strategy 2020-2025 was also launched at the event.
IDMP WA held its first regional meeting for the virtual platform on 28 March in Ouagadougou. Nine (9) participants representing CEDEAO/Water Resources Coordination Center, Volta Basin Authority, CILSS, 2ie, WASCAL and SP/GIRE attended the meeting.
GWP's action network provides knowledge and builds capacity to improve water management at all levels: global, regional, national and local. GWP does not operate alone. Its networking approach provides a mechanism for coordinated action and adds value to the work of many other key development partners.