EDD21 is organised by the European Commission, and 2021 marks the 14th edition of the event, which explores the global dimension of the EU’s sustainable economic growth plan to protect ecosystems and promote economically, environmentally and socially sustainable development. A special focus will be put on the interdependence of humans and nature in the context of international development.
The event will also provide a decisive moment for analysis and reflection on the road to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) in Kunming in October and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November.
To join EDD21, you need to register through this link.
GWP Southern Africa Chair on High Level Panel
GWP Southern Africa and Africa Coordination Unit Chair, His Excellency President Jakaya Kikwete, the 4th President of Tanzania, will join a high-level panel discussion on how innovations in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) can advance the inclusive growth. This event takes place on 15 June at 14:55 CEST, and H.E. President Kikwete will discuss the innovative Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP).
WASH is closely linked to the Green Deal, contributing to human development, climate resilience and economies. It is a human right and critical to preventing disease and death. Yet billions of people still do not have access to safe WASH.
| 15 June 16:00 CEST - IWRM to accelerate progress on the SDGs |
IWRM is pivotal to achieving a host of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and climate-related goals. Yet SDG 6.5.1, the degree of implementation of IWRM, had a global average of 49% in 2017, jeopardising progress towards sustainable development, especially in the global south.
The SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme assists countries in monitoring the implementation of IWRM, designing and accelerating implementation of national IWRM Action Plans, as highly bankable, strategic opportunities that place water at the heart of the response to sustainable development and move the needle on water-related SDGs. In 2020, a total of 61 countries worldwide were assisted in mapping out progress on IWRM.
“The key word that will be highlighted in our EDD activity will be integration. The availability of water resources in quality and quantity is key to joining the dots between the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the post-2020 biodiversity framework and the post-COVID recovery, increasing impact as well as resource efficiency,” says Colin Herron, GWP Global Coordinator, Water Solutions for the SDGs.
Working on the principle of "you manage what you measure", the Support Programme constitutes an attractive investment opportunity for different development finance mechanisms. GWP is co-organising the activity together with UN Environment.
Photo credit: European Development Days