2017 marks the 2nd year that a dedicated MENA Regional Focus is part of the Stockholm World Water Weeks’ programme, alongside the regional days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. The overall coordination of the MENA Focus has been entrusted to GWP-Med that works closely with key regional partners, each leading targeted sessions, to ensure that the region’s priorities are duly reflected in the Water Week’s programme.
2017 marks the 2nd year that a dedicated MENA Regional Focus is part of the Stockholm World Water Weeks’ programme, alongside the regional days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. The overall coordination of the MENA Focus has been entrusted to GWP-Med that works closely with key regional partners, each leading targeted sessions, to ensure that the region’s priorities are duly reflected in the Water Week’s programme.
GWPSA joined other key stakeholders working around climate change adaptation at a regional workshop on Climate Change National Adaptation Plans for African Anglophone countries. The workshop, which was held in Lilongwe, Malawi from 27 February-3 March 2017, was organised by the UNFCCC LEG and was attended by about 50 participants from 25 Anglophone African countries. The regional training was officially opened by the Chief Director for Environment and Climate Change Management, Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama, Malawi. Remarks were also given from UNFCCC (Dr. Paul Desanker, Manager of NAPs and Policies, and LDCs Expert Group (LEG) Chairman, Mr. Abias Huongo-Angola.
Since 2013, GWPEA has been organizing annual regional media workshops aimed at building the capacity of media practitioners in IWRM and sensitizing them on their crucial role in covering water, climate and drought related topics.
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.
Establishing strong partnerships is key to delivering GWP strategy and the implementation of programmes, says Mr Alex Simalabwi Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Executive Secretary and Head Africa Coordination Unit.