In August, sixteen (16) lecturers and researchers from universities across the globe gathered in Stockholm, Sweden for the first Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Knowledge Centres workshop.
The climate in Somalia is mainly arid to semi-arid, with an average annual daytime temperature of 27ºC. Somalia is located in an extreme water scarce area, where most of the available water resources exist in rivers shared with neighboring countries and demand for water is increasing due to the population and urban growth.Somalia is lacking, not only easily available water resources, both also the human and financial resources to set up institutions and water infrastructures that are desperately needed.
Unsustainable irrigation policies during the Soviet era have had devastating consequences for the Aral Sea. With the collapse of USSR, the riparian states took action and entered into agreement on Cooperation in the Joint Use and Protection of Water Resources of Interstate Significance. Furthermore, the international community took action and much attention has been devoted to re-establish the Aral Sea ecosystem. This case illustrates the importance of engaging all key stakeholders.
In Ukraine, reforms in the sector of water supply and sanitation have focused on centralising water supply and sanitation. Efforts have been made to decentralise water management, delegate to local authorities as well as increase supply in rural areas. This has been done through awareness campaigns, capacity building and innovative techniques of wastewater reuse. The key lesson learnt from this case is that IWRM principles need to be considered when planning for water infrastructure.
Interview with Mr. Allan David Ramos Molina, Mayor of Puerto Cortes.
GWP produces many publications related to IWRM, policy planning and other advice for water resources management.
Global Water Partnership West Africa (GWP-WA) shares the vision of the GWP network which is for "a water secure world" with a mission to support countries in the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.