Based on the experiences of GWP’s 'Follow the Sun' Network Meetings in 2018 and 2019, we have learned that holding this meeting online ensures a large and inclusive participation. We also recognize that, due to COVID-19, there will be limits to physical gatherings; nevertheless, we are creating a format that allows for broad participation.
WHEN: 21-22 October 2020 (see specific agenda and timings below)
WHAT: This year we are moving to a continental format, where we begin the journey with an Opening Session, followed by three continental sessions – Latin America & Caribbean, Eurasia, and Africa & Mediterranean – and end with a Closing Session. Each continental session will consist of an inter-regional segment (customised) and a global segment, where the same question will be discussed in all three continental sessions, culminating in key messages from the whole Network in the Closing Session.
HOW: The meeting will take place online (ZOOM platform). Please note that registration closed on 19 October. ZOOM links to the different sessions is shared with the registered participants. Interpretation will also be offered in some of the sessions.
Parts of the meeting will be broadcast live on GWP’s Facebook page with the recordings available directly after. The live broadcast sessions are: the Opening Session, the Africa-Mediterranean, and the Closing Session.
GLOBAL QUESTION:
The Covid-19 crisis impacts water resources management today and will likely have long-lasting impacts due to the socio-economic crisis and shifting political priorities. As water actors, how do you adapt your work to continue bringing change to achieve water security? Can we identify ‘success factors’ to make change happen in this new environment?
OPENING (agenda)
21 October, 15.00-16.00 CEST (convert into your time zone here)
High-level session, where GWP will show achievements and future direction. Participants will also hear from GWP’s Chair Howard Bamsey, and the finalists of the Water Change Maker Awards will be announced during this session by Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs for the Green Climate Fund and Former GWP Chair. This session will be broadcast live on Facebook.
THREE CONTINENTAL SESSIONS
The three continental sessions will allow partners from within and different regions to meet one another and share their views, contributing to a stronger Global Water Partnership. Key messages coming out of the exchanges will be shared with the whole Network and with decision-makers, and will further inform GWP programmes in the regions.
CONTINENTAL SESSION 1: Latin America and the Caribbean (agenda) (Spanish)
21 October, 16:30 -18:30 CEST (convert into your time zone here)
This session will bring together the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region to engage each region's Partners on the three (3) anchor areas of GWP’s new Strategy - Climate resilience through water, Water Solutions for the SDGs, and Transboundary Water Cooperation - thereby providing an opportunity for dialogue, partner engagement, sharing of opportunities and learning for regional and inter-regional collaboration. The second part of the session will engage participants around the questions: As water actors, how do you adapt your work to continue bringing change in a COVID-19 context? Can we identify ‘success factors’ to make change happen in this new environment?
CONTINENTAL SESSION 2: Eurasia (agenda)
22 October, 8:00 -10:30 CEST (convert into your time zone here)
This session will bring together the regions of Eurasia (Central Asia & Caucasus, China, Central & Eastern Europe, South East Asia, and South Asia) to discuss inter-regional collaboration and partner engagement. The session will focus on building optimal mechanisms to engage partners in each region through the partnership platform, and effective inter-regional partners collaboration through the Regional Water Partnerships’s and Country Water Partnerships’s facilitation. The second part of the session will engage participants around the questions: As water actors, how do you adapt your work to continue bringing change in a COVID-19 context? Can we identify ‘success factors’ to make change happen in this new environment?
CONTINENTAL SESSION 3: Africa & Mediterranean (concept & agenda)
22 October, 11:00-13:30 CEST (convert into your time zone here)
This session will focus on how to transform and improve the investment outlook for water security and sustainable sanitation for a prosperous, peaceful and equitable society. It will bring together GWP partners and collaborating entities from the regions of Africa (Southern Africa, West Africa, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, North Africa) and Mediterranean to discuss how this can translate into concrete actions in their regions, in the framework of the implementation of GWP’s new Strategy. The session will start with a sharing of perspectives on mobilising water investments, highlighting in particular the potential of the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) in that objective. Keynote speaker will be His Excellency President Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania and GWP Southern Africa's Africa Coordination Unit Chair. Participants will be invited to exchange on challenges and avenues to move forward in their regions, with a focus on joint action - here is the Introduction to Breakaway Groups. All participants will also be informed of key continental processes and meetings taking place with partners for the remainder of the year. The second part of the session will engage participants around the questions: As water actors, how do you adapt your work to continue bringing change in a COVID-19 context? Can we identify ‘success factors’ to make change happen in this new environment? The first segment of session will be broadcast live on Facebook.
CLOSING (agenda)
14.30-15.00 CEST (convert into your time zone here)
In this session we will hear back from the Chairs of the three continental sessions, and also from some “Voices of GWP Partners”, how we are, and will continue, Bringing the Change for a Water Secure World. This session will be broadcast live on Facebook.