Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources. This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 Member States, whose population in 2018, was estimated to be at 345.2 million, a rise from 336.9 million as of 2017. Rivers play a pivotal role in the region's socio-economic development, as evidenced by its reliance on these waterways. Southern Africa boasts of 15 major transboundary river basins, shared among neighbouring countries, with 13 basins entirely within the region's borders. However, the equitable distribution of water resources remains a challenge, exacerbated by climatic factors influencing rainfall patterns and the geographical distribution of river basins. While these rivers can spark conflicts, they also serve as conduits for peace and cooperation. Therefore, prioritizing transboundary water cooperation is not merely about economic prosperity but also essential for nurturing stability and harmony throughout the region.
Climate change is increasing pressure on water resources in Central Africa, disrupting hydrological systems and worsening limited access to safe drinking water. Nearly 60 million people in the region live without direct access to clean water, heightening the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Lake Chad has lost 90% of its surface area since the 1960s, threatening the livelihoods of millions
The Water Changemaker Innovation Awards 2023 is proud to announce the top 30 finalists selected from a pool of exceptionally innovative and impactful projects dedicated to addressing water-related challenges worldwide. The finalists have been announced during a hybrid event held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, 22 September 2023.
Before the International Children's Day, twenty teams of 13-19-year-old young people convened in Ningbo of Zhejiang Province to share their inventions with experts and the public and to realize their innovative solutions to improve water and environment in and around their schools at the 2024 Junior Water Prize (JWP) Final.
The regional workshop dedicated to establishing the Regional Coordination of Users of the Volta Basin (RCU-VB) concluded on a historic note: the election and installation of the Regional Executive Board, marking a decisive step toward participatory governance of shared natural resources.
On December 18, 2025, the Global Water Partnership in West Africa (GWP-WA) and its Country Water Partnerships (CWP) held a training and coordination meeting entirely online.
