On 22 August 2025, a groundbreaking pilot project was launched with the mission to accelerate the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems across Pakistan. Just days later, momentum continued in Islamabad with the first Country Stakeholder Workshop, held on 2 September.
The African SIDS Blue Economy Project, a joint initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by UNDP, and executed by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa, under the leadership of the African Union Commission as the focal custodian of the project, was showcased at the Africa Blue Economy Week taking place at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Blue Economy Week took place from 23 to 25 September 2025.
The African Union Commission, in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Africa, is fast-tracking climate finance readiness across the continent through the AU-AIP GCF Readiness Support Initiative, now being implemented in 15 AU Member States. Over recent months, the initiative has recorded tangible milestones that demonstrate growing institutional capacity, stronger investment preparation, and Africa’s readiness to absorb and deploy climate finance at scale.
During the Horizon Europe SpongeWorks second General Assembly, participants were updated about the project's achievements, witnessed first hand the implementation of sponge measures in the French demonstrator and provided input on the way forward. GWP-Med received the Outreach and Impact award for its impactful communication of the project's activities.
Following the 2023 third round of reporting on target 6.5.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which monitors the level of implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management, Cameroon recorded an overall “medium- low” score of 49% and outlined challenges hindering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. To address these challenges, an SDG 6.5.1 Stage 2 programme is underway in the country, implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and supported by UNEP-DHI and the Global Water Partnership. Under this Stage 2 programme, the government will elaborate a National IWRM Plan which outlines strategies to foster climate-resilient water management in the country.
Stay connected with GWP-SEA through our Carousels, visual stories that spotlight milestones, campaigns, and regional highlights. Launched in 2025, this format brings our work and partnerships to life in an engaging, easy-to-follow way. Browse past Carousels here and see how we capture the spirit of water action across Southeast Asia.
