The GWP network with more than 2000 partners worldwide, celebrates World Water Day with a number of activities and events in different regions of the globe: awareness campaigns on public radio, releases of video films about water security, participation in seminars and organisation of workshops for students, pupils and policy makers.
A regional process to save the Aral Sea has resulted in an “Action Plan for the realization of the Decisions of the Presidents” of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Urgency for a Water Secure World
Throughout the planet, a number of issues affecting the availability and state of water resources cause a growing concern. The population is increasing. Pollution is increasing. Development pressures are mounting. However, water supply is not. Water demand by people, agriculture, food production and industry heavily pressurizes the limited water supply of the planet and ecosystems which are also dependent on water.
On March 3rd, 2010, the host of Singapore International Water Week awarded Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2010 to the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC).
In order to advocate for the application of IWRM principles in the design of waterways and their operation, GWP Romania took part in the government-organised 13th Shipping Conference on 2-3 December 2009.
Since December 2009, GWP Armenia and its Partners have been deeply involved in solving household wastewater treatment problems. As a result of long-time lobbying, in 2010 funds from the United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF) were granted to address wastewater treatment in Parakar, Armenia, where it was a serious problem.
The Global Water Partnership Patron Margaret Catley-Carson participated at the 40th World Economic Forum in Davos on 27-31 January 2010 to put focus on water issues in relation to economics.
GWP Chair Dr. Letitia A Obeng participated in the General Assembly of the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) in Dakar, from 20 to 22 January 2010. The theme of the General Assembly was “the adaptation to consequences of climate change in basins: tools for action”. The assembly gathered together around 250 participants from all continents.
GWP Caribbean took a cue from the experiences of other Regional Water Partnerships – particularly GWP Central America and GWP West Africa – who have found that the media is one of the best channels for creating awareness about water issues among the general public.