‒ Launching of a Strategic Framework at Africa Water Week 2012
In an effort to address the twin challenges of water security and climate change, the African Ministers Council on Water launched The Strategic Framework for Water Security and Climate Resilient Development on May 14, 2012, at the Africa Water Week, in Cairo, Egypt.
A major impetus has been given to the Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) for Africa at a wide-ranging Technical Coordination Workshop held in Pretoria, South Africa, January 28 to February 1, 2013. Participants from the eight implementing countries and seven key partner agencies shared achievements to date, lessons learned, and challenges to come in implementing the Programme.
The Zambian Government and numerous stakeholders have attached great importance to the water agenda as evidenced in its participation in the SDG Consultation on Water held on 5th March 2014 at Cresta Golfview Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia.
The Burkina WACDEP team had field trips in February (13th 2015) and March (13, 25 and 29) to first inform and discuss with interested parties on the progress of the demonstration project and find consensual solutions for the conduct of the project. Due to new budget limitation developments the intervention was reframed based on available financial resources. 
GWP has published a new Technical Focus Paper about the challenges facing small island developing states in the Caribbean. The paper is the first in a series to present a critical review of progress made in water resources planning and practice in GWP regions.
GWP SA, on behalf of SADC is currently making preparations for the forthcoming SADC Water Weeks which have been slated from April – October 2014. The SADC Water Weeks are aimed at ensuring that the Regional Water Programme is well understood and embraced by stakeholders from various sectors at the national level. The SADC Water Weeks were last held in the year 2000 and led to the development of the SADC Water Vision for Water, Life and the Environment
“Although water is central to development, its value is often overlooked. It is thus essential that this national consultation helps to ensure that water is properly reflected in any post-2015 agenda. Moreover water is tied to most development themes – such as food, health, energy. So it is essential to recognize the obvious linkages with these other thematic consultations”
There were concerns that Lake Arenal in Northern Costa Rica was threatened due to problems of deforestation and possible premature sedimentation, leading the government to take action, resulting in successful national and local benefits in terms of energy produced and area irrigated. The most important lesson learned is the importance of consulting all parties involved before initiating the project to achieve the best result.
Global Water Partnership – Southern Africa (GWP-SA) will be hosting the 4th Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP) Technical Coordination Workshop. The workshop will be held in Pretoria, South Africa from January 28-01 February 2013.