Climate change is getting worse. Floods, droughts and rising sea levels are threatening sanitation systems – from toilets to septic tanks to treatment plants. It is against this backdrop that World Toilet Day is celebrated on 19 November, raising awareness of the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation. GWP celebrates the day by showcasing five Water ChangeMaker stories, providing hope that change is possible.
Efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) in Southern Africa continued at a virtual workshop convened by GWPSA with support by GWP Organisation on 12 November.
Covering a geographical area of 20,361 km2 connecting 5 countries and 5 water bodies, the Drin Basin in Southeast Europe sustains unique ecosystems and endemic biodiversity, while supporting the economic activity of over 1.6 million people who call it home. However, four transboundary problems - deterioration of water quality, variability of hydrological regime, biodiversity degradation and disturbance of the natural sediment transport regime - are threatening the basin’s health with a direct impact on both the environment and livelihoods.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting societies and economies of countries at their core at different levels. It will most likely increase poverty and inequalities in South Asia, making achievement of SDGs even more urgent.
The Young Caribbean Water Entrepreneurs Shark Tank Competition is an initiative of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and was first launched in 2019.
The Framework for Consultation of Non-State Actors in the Water and Sanitation Sector (CANEA) and the National Association of communes of Benin (ANCB) are advocating for better prioritization water and sanitation related issues in the communes.
Integrative and inclusive investment project planning at the transboundary and regional levels is critical in the response to challenges and catalysing development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This was one of the key issues raised at the transboundary water management session convened by the Lesotho ICM project and Partners at the Stockholm World Water Week (WWW) on 30 August in Stockholm, Sweden.
CEENERGYNEWS spoke with Konstantin Ivanov, Regional Coordinator at the Global Water Partnerships Central and Eastern Europe about the importance of investing in water that supports sustainable development, boost the economy and create new jobs and opportunities.