17 June is the UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, also called Desertification and Drought Day (DDD). To mark the day, UNCCD, EOTEC DevNet, and GWP are co-organising a webinar on 18 June focused on showcasing collaborative approaches to tackling drought challenges. This webinar entitled, "United for Earth: Collaborative Strategies Against Drought” represents a crucial step in our collective efforts to combat land degradation and enhance resilience in drought-affected regions.
Water is not only essential for Africa's socio-economic development but also plays a crucial role in sustaining natural ecosystems. However, the continent faces significant challenges in ensuring water security, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Gender equality and inclusion are recognized as vital for addressing these challenges and building climate resilience.
The Water Changemaker Innovation Awards 2023 is proud to announce the top 30 finalists selected from a pool of exceptionally innovative and impactful projects dedicated to addressing water-related challenges worldwide. The finalists have been announced during a hybrid event held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, 22 September 2023.
The Buzi, Pungwe, and Save Watercourses Commission (BUPUSACOM) was launched in Beira, Mozambique, on 19 July 2023, following the signing of the BUPUSA Water Courses Commission Establishment Agreement in Harare, Zimbabwe on 17 May 2023.
The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), implemented a climate-resilient integrated water management pilot project in the Wami/Ruvu Basin, in Tanzania, that is aimed at helping communities living within the Basin adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) program initiative is a financial mechanism to establish risk-informed early warning services and works directly with countries to increase the availability of, and access to, early warning systems.
Between 2017 and 2023, global performance on implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM) increased from 49% to 57%. However, the current rate of progress would need to at least double in order to meet the 2030 goal on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6).
On 12-13 December 2022, a regional workshop was held on the theme: "Increasing investments for water security and climate resilience in West Africa: achievements, challenges and opportunities". The regional event was both face-to-face and online for stakeholders from the regional level and other West African countries.
GWP-Med in partnership with the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) led activities in Palestine for the GWL Programme, a global initiative supporting emerging leadership for improved water, sanitation and hygiene services, and climate resilience. GWL was funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
