Two-thirds of the Central American population lives in urban areas which is why GWP Central America, with the support of CapNet and LAWETNet, organized a regional workshop on Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) at the Pan-American School for Agriculture (Zamorano) in Honduras from 29 October to 1 November 2012. Participants included representatives of the six countries of the region from municipalities of major cities, water and sanitation agencies, and universities.
The regional workshop on “Training needs and gaps assessment on adaptation and resilience to a changing climate in South Asia”, was held successfully in Kathmandu, Nepal from 4-5 September 2013. It was jointly organized by the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) in collaboration with APAN's thematic node for water, Global Water Partnership South Asia (GWP SAS).
In Central Asia, water is unevenly distributed with states positioned downstream being placed in a very unfavourable position. The situation is further complicated since the benefits from cooperation are highly asymmetrical. Despite the challenge, the states have taken action and entered into a regional agreement, which attracted the international donor community to engage further. This case illustrates how international initiatives can influence institutional arrangements in transboundary basins.
In the River Basin District of the CEE region, the countries are cooperating to develop transboundary management, using the International River Basin Commission as a platform. The aim is to address national IWRM priorities, strengthen cooperation with major stakeholders and initiate changes in policies and legislation. This case illustrates the difficulties to balance national priorities in a transboundary context.
The Danube region is characterised by long-term cooperation. One of the most important agreements was the Danube River Protection Convention, created with an intention of intensifying cooperation in the field of water protection and water use between countries in the Danube basin. Under auspices of this convention, the Joint Danube Survey was launched. This case demonstrates the importance of collecting data to assess how to move forward with any project.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA
Uniting our Efforts for the Future
The Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council will spot light on the Mediterranean Cooperation as an instrument to ensure peace, stability and growth in our region.
Together with the European Territorial Cooperation Programme MED and the Neighborhood Cross-border Cooperation Programme in the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI MED, the Cyprus Presidency warmly invites you to the first joint conference of these two cooperation programmes to be held in Cyprus on October 24th and 25th 2012.
For further information on the Conference see the Agenda or visit http://cyprusconferences.org/jccy2012/index.php
AMCOW President, Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt and GWP Executive Secretary launch the Technical Background Document on World Water Week, 27 August 2012.