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The Global Water Partnership–Caribbean (GWP-C) Water Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) is aimed at building climate resilience in the water sector as a key part of sustainable regional and national development for economic growth and human security.

International water cooperation is essential. This was one of the key messages that Ambassador Robert F. Van Lierop delivered in his keynote speech at the GWP Consulting Partners Meeting in Stockholm. He made it clear that climate adaptation issues affect the entire world.

The management of water resources in Bangladesh involves a centralised, heavy engineering approach in order to control floods and install irrigation, however, there is now a pressing need for ensuring social justice and equity in water resource development. Recognising the role of water in poverty alleviation, action has been taken to implement a 25-year National Water Management Plan. Although this is one important step, it is evident that many issues require more work. 

The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) in conjunction with the Global Water Partnership Organisation has developed a Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) for the Caribbean to support the implementation of the water related actions outlined in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Plan for the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change.

Bridgetown, Barbados, September 18, 2013: Ministers with responsibility for Water in several Caribbean countries will gather at the 9^th High Level Session (HLS 9) Ministerial Forum which takes place on 10 - 11 October 2013 at the Hilton Barbados Resort. This Ministerial Forum is part of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association’s (CWWA’s) 22^nd Annual Conference and Exhibition, which is being hosted by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA). 

WP1:  Regional and Transboundary Cooperation 

WACDEP CACENA was formulated by Global Water Partnership in Central Asia and Caucasus to initiate development of the regional agenda on climate change adaptation. There is a big differentiation in renewable water resources availability among the countries within the GWP CACENA region. The biggest part of the territory is located in the arid and semi-arid climate, and irrigated agriculture accounts for about 80-90 % of total water use. The most common challenging issues for the Caucasian sub-region are the low access to proper drinking water supply and sanitation, water ecosystems degradation, floods and, in some zones - water scarcity. For Central Asia they are increasing water deficit (droughts in irrigated zones) and water ecosystems degradation. Climate change aggravates all these problems. The programme will provide planning support to governments of CACENA countries for better preparing to climate change and for improving water security.

In Carabobo State, the urban and agricultural expansions are the main causes of watershed problems resulting from degradation of forests, deforestation and inadequate solid waste management. Since 2009, action has been taken to combat these developments through participatory public policies which focus on environmental education and sustainable development. The key to the success of the project has been extensive capacity building in combination with concrete management tools. 

After some devastating floods in the Yangtze, the Chinese government took action and issued a policy to counter floods, including wetland restoration. WWF further assisted and developed four pilot sites to demonstrate the benefits of wetland restoration for biodiversity, and to seek alternative income options for farmers, based on the sustainable use of wetlands. This case illustrates the value of a participatory approach. 

The San Juan River waters have experienced deterioration due to poor management of its basin. To address the issues, action has been taken to implement IWRM to address the areas of water, soil, forests and municipal development in a cross-sectoral manner.  This case study is a good reminder of the integrated nature of IWRM, and the importance of a model that accounts for management of both water and land.