GWP’s WACDEP Capacity Development Programme held the second workshop in Maputo, Mozambique from the 26th- 29th August, 2014 on ‘Economics of Adaptation, Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Africa’. The workshop is one of the workshops in a series of five national workshops under the “GWP/UNDP-GEF joint Capacity Development Programme on the Economics of Adaptation, Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Africa”.
The water sector in South Africa is dynamic and facing major challenges such as reduction in capacity of the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) to engage as extensively with stakeholders. As a result of a weak partnership base, it has been difficult to ensure the implementation of equitable and sustainable IWRM. Although a South African Country Water Partnership (SA CWP) was launched in 2002, and was active in early GWP activities such as the Framework for Action (FFA) over the years the sense of purpose for a partnership among water actors diminished as the water sector changed it’s strategic dimensions. One of the challenges that the SA CWP of the Global Water Partnership faced was defining exactly what its role in South Africa would be and how it would partner with other Water sector stakeholders to ensure that it executes its tasks and achieves success.
The Prespa basin was affected by over-abstraction and diversion of water, wetland drainage, deforestation and overgrazing, leading to danger for human livelihoods and ecosystems. Action was taken by WWF through the creation of the Society for the Protection of Prespa, eventually culminating in the creation of Prespa National Park. The lesson drawn is that to change the perspective of local stakeholders to ensure that they share a common vision is vital for success.
The Roundtable on Flood Control and Adapting Measures for Economic Development in Flood Plain for Lower Reaches of Yellow River was held on October 23, 2014, in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. The event was organized by GWP China Yellow River and Yellow River Research Association with the support by GWP China. Over 50 participants from Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC), research institutions, Henan and Ningxia Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Offices, universities attended the roundtable. Mr. Zheng Rugang, Secretary General and Coordinator of GWP China Region, gave a welcome speech.
In Chile, water has been privatised. However, in order to make sure that access was still available to all strata of society, the privatisation was accompanied by a robust regulatory framework, including a system of direct subsidies for drinking water consumption and sewage services for low income households. This case thus illustrates that in case of privatisation, a direct subsidiary scheme should be considered.
Global Water Partnership (GWP) Eastern Africa and Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Cooperate for Sustainable Water Resources Management and promoting climate resilience in the wide Kagera Basin.
The WACDEP Reference Group (RG) provides demand driven technical oversight and support to the implementation of the WACDEP. The WACDEP engages the following RG members:
Large scale projects in Slovakia caused negative effects in terms of biodiversity losses and reduced floodplain ecosystem functions. To combat this, a project “Integration of Ecosystem Management Principles and Practices into Land and water Management” of Laborec-Uh region was initiated. This case illustrates the importance of accounting for both biodiversity and economic returns when developing projects.
Investments for water security and climate resilient development can benefit from combining different funding sources. Matching climate finance with traditional water finance from Official Development Assistance (ODA) and private sector is a good strategy. Stay tuned for guidance and information on funding sources and best practices and guidelines for accessing funding.
Twenty practitioners from the Agriculture Sector in Barbados had the opportunity to be trained in Water Use Efficiency at a workshop put on by the GWP Caribbean and its partner, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, on 5-7 September 2012. The workshop was developed by GWP Caribbean to build capacity for improved water management through water use efficiency techniques in agriculture.