Desires to maximise irrigated agriculture during the Soviet era has resulted in degradation of water resources. After independence, most countries in the region adopted national policies dealing with water supply and sanitation. Furthermore, since 2002, Global Water Partnership in Caucasus and Central Asia (GWP CACENA) promotes and supports introduction of IWRM. The main lesson learnt is that an IWRM approach should include any essential infrastructure needed for development.
In the Danube hydrographic basin, agricultural practices continue to be the main source of water pollution. A pilot project “Best Agricultural Practices” was initiated focusing on e.g. nutrient management, conservation tillage and manure management. Awareness campaigns were initiated, training and education of farmers were emphasised. The key lesson is that these projects should be complimented by other technical and investment measures.
Climate Change is expected to have severe impacts on river discharges and water quality and quantity. In an effort to proactively find solutions to the current and future challenges of water, the project Environmental state and sustainable management of Hungarian-Slovakian transboundary groundwater bodies was initiated. The key lesson is the importance of evaluating all resources, including the links between groundwater and surface water.
President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia visits GWP in Stockholm
Photo: President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia, GWP Chair Dr Letitia A Obeng, and Ambassador to Sweden Dr Baldan Enkhmandakh.
‒ Launching of a Strategic Framework at Africa Water Week 2012
In an effort to address the twin challenges of water security and climate change, the African Ministers Council on Water launched The Strategic Framework for Water Security and Climate Resilient Development on May 14, 2012, at the Africa Water Week, in Cairo, Egypt.
A joint GIZ, African Union Commission (AUC) and GWP study tour covered the topic of “Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in the German Water Sector” in Berlin in June. The participants were from the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and the training provided a closer look at effective climate adaptation measures in the German water sector.
More than 100 participants from over 40 organizations participated in a workshop on implementing an integrated approach to managing the Yellow River in Zhengzhou on 6 November 2012.
In Benin, water use has not been regulated. Furthermore, water management has been sector-based, fragmented and compartmentalised. To change this, action was taken to initiate IWRM in Benin. A baseline study was done followed by drafting of an IWRM action plan. From the experience, the lesson learnt is that advocacy for strengthening political will for supporting the process must be seen as a transversal and on-going action throughout the whole IWRM process.
As a co-organizer of the East Africa Young Water Professionals Conference held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, December, 2012, GWP Eastern Africa contributed to the adoption of Water Declaration directed to government decision-makers in East Africa and beyond.
As a co-organizer of the East Africa Young Water Professionals Conference held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, December, 2012, GWP Eastern Africa contributed to the adoption of Water Declaration directed to government decision-makers in East Africa and beyond.