The International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) is one of partners of GWP China. On behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources and the UNESCO, the Center organized the International Advanced Training Workshop on International River Basin Management lasting from July 28 to August 3, 2009. There were 51 trainees from 18 countries, covering Asian, European Oceania and African continents, who participated in the training course.
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.
In June, GWP Central Africa gathered senior officials from water, finance and economic ministries in nine out of ten countries in the region to discuss sustainable funding in the water sector for the first time ever.
Danube Day went global with celebrations at the 2008 World Water Expo
GWP Ethiopia launched pilot projects in the Berki and Messena watersheds to promote IWRM, establish a framework for broader stakeholder participation, and enhance grassrootslevel water management practices.
In 2008, the governments of Mali and Senegal moved closer towards more sustainable management of water resources by finalising their national IWRM plans. This also means a step towards meeting the UN Millennium Development Goal target on access to clean drinking water.