In a breakthrough for water, the 7th African Development Forum held in Addis Ababa in October put water on the infrastructure agenda alongside energy, transport and communications. This marked a turning point in overcoming resistance to large water projects stemming from negative perceptions of social and environmental impacts.
From 2007, the annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogues, organised by GWP Southern Africa on behalf of the SADC Water Division, have informed action plans at regional, river basin, national and local levels. Although the Dialogues encourage cross-sectoral integration, until now they have largely been regarded as meetings for 'water people'.
In 2010 GWPCentral America approached the University of Panama to discuss putting water issues in the journalism curriculum.
GWP Slovakia has been introducing the IWRM approach to the Association of Municipalities, using the guide Sustainable Sanitation in Central and Eastern Europe prepared by GWP Central and Eastern Europe as a key resource.
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.
GWP Guatemala was invited to participate in the Water Cabinet created by the President of Guatemala in August 2008. The Cabinet represents a national effort to promote IWRM at the highest levels and is coordinated by the country’s vice-president and made up of ten ministers.
While Pakistan endures one of the country’s most devastating floods—possibly its worst ever—GWP Pakistan is joining with others to help provide relief and rehabilitation to remote communities that have been particularly hard-hit. In addition, the GWP Partner Hisaar Foundation and the Karachi Water Partnership, has launched an appeal to raise Rs 10 million for immediate flood relief, largely for the provision of safe drinking water.
This documentary series, "Bridging Waters", explains the importance of transboundary water management in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).