The Expert Task force of the joint GWP/OECD project Global Dialogue has presented initial results of their research into the connection between water security and economic development. Speaking of their preliminary findings at Stockholm World Water Week, Professor David Grey highlighted variability as key in determining the economic impact of water security.
The consultation workshop in West Africa on the strategy of the African Network of Basin Organizations (ANBO) was held on 21 and 22 July 2014 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). It brought together representatives of Transboundary water management organizations, regional institutions, civil society in the region and the government of Burkina Faso.
The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia, beginning its 4,200 km journey in the mountains of the Tibetan Plateau, passing six countries and reaching the South China Sea. Policy reforms to adopt integrated water resources management had been initiated and water related laws had been developed. However, there were still major gaps in the supporting knowledge and information. IUCN and its program Water &Nature Initiative (WANI) supported to scale up so called Tai Baan research (villagers’ research) that enabled local communities to represent their own social reality and through media and public forum, this knowledge can be mainstreamed into water management research and implementation.
The new GWP Gender Strategy was formally launched at a well-attended event at Stockholm World Water Week 2014 on 3 September. On the same day GWP added to its strategic allies by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the French Water Partnership, the European Water Partnership and UNESCO-IHE.
GWP Central America worked closely with partners to increase regional capacity regarding droughts. A new briefing note on the topic highlights the work that has been done in the context of the Water, Climate and Development Programme.
The Water, Climate and Development Programme in Southeast Asia aims to integrate water security and climate resilience in development planning processes, and support countries within Southeast Asian region to adapt to a new climate regime through increased investments in water security.
The United Nations post-2015 Development Agenda was adopted by Member States at the UN General Assembly in September 2015. GWP is committed to support implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6, which is dedicated to water. To help countries implement the SDGs, GWP set up a SDG Preparedness Facility (SDG-PF).
Two back-to-back meetings on water management in Central Asia recently took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. GWP representatives Natalia Alexeeva and Vadim Sokolov were invited to the regional workshop “Integrated Water Resources Management in Central Asia”, where they presented the IWRM Toolbox and instruments, and gave an overview of the SDG process and the activities of GWP Central Asia and Caucasus.