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“Water security” is an enduring issue which has been a major concern in the world and to this day remains a critical matter in society.

GWP Southern Africa (GWPSA) is one of 13 regional networks that make up GWP, an international network that was created in 1996 to foster implementation of integrated water resources management: the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources that maximises economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment.

Urgency for a Water Secure World

 

Throughout the planet, a number of issues affecting the availability and state of water resources cause a growing concern. The population is increasing. Pollution is increasing. Development pressures are mounting. However, water supply is not. Water demand by people, agriculture, food production and industry heavily pressurizes the limited water supply of the planet and ecosystems which are also dependent on water.

The Technical Advisory committee, the GWP-Cmr and the GWP-CAfTAC secretariats had a meeting on the 27th and 28th of September in Limbe (Cameroon). The main objective was to plan and prepare the launching of GWP-Central Africa (GWP-CAf). The event shall take place on the 29th of November 2008. Inputs were also made on the draft of the 2009-2013 regional strategy.

Le Comité technique Consultatif du GWP pour l’Afrique centrale s’est réuni les 27 et 28 septembre à Limbe (Cameroun) dans le but de préparer et organiser le lancement du Partenariat régional de l’eau pour l’Afrique Centrale (GWP-CAf). Il a été décidé que cet évènement se ferait le 29 novembre 2008. Cette réunion a également été l’occasion pour les participants de procéder à la relecture pour actualisation de certains documents de travail. A titre d’exemple le draft de la stratégie régionale 2009-2013 a été étoffé.

New impetus has been given to GWP’s relationship with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in light of the African Union summit held in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), in June 2008.

During 2008, GWP Mediterranean (GWP-Med) helped Egypt and Lebanon with their water supply and sanitation (WSS) and IWRM planning respectively. The assistance was provided within the framework of the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI), through country dialogues on water, and with support of the MEDA Water Programme of the European Commission and Greece that leads MED EUWI.

The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) issued a news release in September to announce the scientific results of the Joint Danube Survey 2 (JDS2) –“possibly the world’s biggest river research expedition ever.” The survey indicates that “the Danube and its tributaries are becoming cleaner,” said the release.