On March 27th, 2018, the Winward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF) became the new Host Institution (HI) of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C). Established in 1994, WINDREF is an independent non-profit organisation based at the St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada. The organisation works to advance health and environmental development through multi-disciplinary research and education programmes. It also promotes regional and international collaborative relationships.
The investment potential in wastewater treatment and reuse in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) was discussed at a session organised by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) during the recent World Water Week in Stockholm (27 August – 1 September 2017). This was part of the “MENA Focus” set of 4 sessions, led by key institutions in the Region.2017 was the 2nd year that a dedicated MENA Regional Focus was part of the World Water Weeks’ programme, alongside the Regional Focus Days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition to the (co) organization of sessions, GWP-Med is coordinating the overall “MENA Focus”.
The investment potential in wastewater treatment and reuse in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) was discussed at a session organised by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) during the recent World Water Week in Stockholm (27 August – 1 September 2017). This was part of the “MENA Focus” set of 4 sessions, led by key institutions in the Region.2017 was the 2nd year that a dedicated MENA Regional Focus was part of the World Water Weeks’ programme, alongside the Regional Focus Days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition to the (co) organization of sessions, GWP-Med is coordinating the overall “MENA Focus”.
Coordination and facilitation bodies (CFBs) and instruments play the very important role of articulating and harmonizing the actions and visions of the numerous entities concerned with water management. Whether it is at the international, national, or even regional level, mediators are always needed in dealing with water related issues. Tools under this section can be seen as tying strings for an IWRM strategy and for good water governance to crystalize.
“Action on water is an absolute and ethical imperative…Acting now is a matter of human dignity, justice, and survival. Waiting to act is no longer an option.” This was one of the strong messages of the Budapest Water Summit 2016, which took place 28-30 November in Budapest, Hungary. GWP global and GWP Central and Eastern Europe joined forces to represent the network at the event.
Global Water Partnership Bulgaria in cooperation with the Scientific-Technical Union of Water Affairs and the Ministry for Environment and Water in Bulgaria organise a National Consultation Dialogue on the SDGs on 15 March in Sofia, Bulgaria.
To contribute to water security in the communities of Valle de Jiboa, El Salvador, where communities face water scarcity, the Association of Municipalities (MIJIBOA) and the Women's Network of Valle del Jiboa, in partnership with the National Foundation for Development (FUNDE), GWP Central America and Mexichem, installed 7 rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems between February to September 2017. The initiative had a gender focus, as the women of the area were an active part of the implementation of the project.
One of the key outcomes from the High-Level Panel on Water (2016-2018) was to establish a set of 5 principles on Valuing Water. Following from those recommendations, the Valuing Water Initiative (VWI) was created to support actors in putting those principles into practice. Since the beginning, GWP has been committed to promoting the Valuing Water Principles (VWPs) and using value-based approaches as part of its efforts towards improving water resources management. In collaboration with VWI, GWP supports events and consultation engagement processes at regional and global scales, mainstreams the VWPs in the design and implementation of IWRM plans, promotes the VWPs within its youth engagement initiatives, and develops knowledge products and methodologies related to Valuing Water.
Global Water Partnership Africa Coordination Unit (GWP-CU) was the lead trainer for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) regional training workshop on mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into water resources in Seoul, Korea.