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The Upper Guadiana Basin provides a classic example of conflict caused by the intensive use of water resources in a semiarid region. Since the 1960s, uncontrolled abstraction of groundwater to provide water for crop irrigation in the area has lowered the water table in places by up to 50m, causing the main river channels to run dry and some wetlands to become desiccated. On the other hand, the abstraction has also supported a booming agricultural economy. 

Limited land space, high population densities and population growth, coupled with increased urbanisation has led to a  decline in freshwater and coastal water quality in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Caribbean.

To identify the best approach to increase public participation in the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, the EU funded research project River Dialogue was initiated, testing two specific participatory methods of citizens’ involvement. This case illustrates the means by which local people, who are not specialists, can take part in discussions and decision-making process of complex environmental issues.

GWP contributed to three regional training workshops in Ethiopia for Anglophone and Francophone African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to advance their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through the NAP Global Support Programme (GSP).

Climate change effects, including more extreme phenomena like droughts and floods, are likely to exacerbate the situation, both in the south and north of the Mediterranean. Adaptation measures require effective water resources management. Given that several climate-related aspects remain uncertain, ‘no-regret’ actions present a sustainable way for responding to challenges. Furthermore, aiming at adaptation-mitigation co-benefits through interlinking water, land, energy and environment interventions, could provide tangible solutions and promote innovation in the region.

GWP is involved in a number of events at this year’s World Water Week in Stockholm. Among the highlights is a joint GWP/OECD Side Event on the “Global Dialogue on Water Security and Sustainable Growth”, where a high level panel will address the water security challenge and present the early results of an Expert Task Force.

Water, which might appear as a gift from nature, actually needs huge human investment in order to serve the varied and growing global demand on this resource. Creating the investment structures and securing the funding to meet water needs is a key enabling factor to achieving good water governance.

Water, Climate and Development (WACDEP) is the Program implemented by Global Water Partnership through its regional secretariats and offices.