GWP Pakistan collaborated on a National Workshop on Pakistan’s Preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Islamabad on 12-13 September 2011. GWP Pakistan held a side event to promote IWRM and water saving/recycling and environmental conservation measures at ground level. The workshop was organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, UN One and the Rio+20 Secretariat.
There are growing concerns about the potential effects of climate change on the socio-economic characteristics and natural resources of the Lower Mekong Basin. In response to the potential impacts of climate change, the Mekong River Commission has launched the regional Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative. Furthermore, a Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment has been conducted. The most important lesson learnt is that it is essential to establish a regional organisation to combat climate change.
In Marocco, rapid urbanisation has led to increased demands for quality and quantity of water resources. To meet the challenges posed by the growing water scarcity, Morocco has adopted an integrated approach to water resources management through mutually reinforcing policy and institutional reforms, including the adoption of a long term IWRM strategy. The key lesson is the importance of introducing economic incentives to water management.
GWP has joined the Sanitation and Water for All initiative as a Multilateral Partner, together with other GWP Partner organizations. Sanitation and Water for All aims to address the barriers to achieving universal and sustainable sanitation and drinking water for everyone, including poor water resources management.
The GWP submitted its pledge to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The priority questions presented by the Bonn2011 Nexus Conference Organizers were discussed during the GWP Consulting Partners Meeting in August 2011, attended by representatives from all 13 GWP Regions,
GWP Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki speaking about investments in water at COP17 in Durban.
Former Editor and Videographer at CNS TV6 in Guyana, Mr. Shane Hubbard has claimed the top spot in GWP-C’s first Media Awards on Water. Entries by Ms. Veoma Ali, Regional Advertising Manager at One Caribbean Media Limited in Barbados and Mrs. Latoya Minott-Spence, Reporter and Producer at Television Jamaica were selected for Honourable Mention. Press release available here.
Developed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a climate change adaptation strategy for the water sector was officially launched at COP 17 in December 2011 in Durban, South Africa. It effectively sees SADC take up the challenge of responding to the threat of climate change in southern Africa.