GTC | Global Transformation Agenda Announced on the Sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government | A Strong Foundation for Transformation | Key Steps in GWP’s Transformation | A Call to Global Leaders & Partners
Stockholm, Addis Ababa, 18 February 2025 – The Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) and its Regional Water Partnerships around the world are embarking on a Global Transformation Agenda to accelerate and scale up mobilisation
and deployment of climate-resilient water investments. At least USD 15 billion will be leveraged by 2030 and €500 million mobilised for GWP partners in collaboration with 
G20 member countries, Multilateral Development Banks, Climate Funds, and other partners.
H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of the Republic of Tanzania, has been appointed as the founding Co-Chair of the High-Level Global Transformation Council (GTC), which will drive the Transformation Agenda at the highest level of global leadership.
High-Level Global Transformation Council (GTC)
Comprising current and former Heads of State, global leaders, as well as high-level representatives from the public and private sectors, the GTC will lead high-level engagement with leaders of G20 member countries and other global leaders for the transformation of water security systems in the context of a global climate emergency.
In addition to the establishment of the GTC, the Transformation Agenda includes the establishment of the GWPO Headquarters Transition Office in South Africa, the current Chair of the G20, to manage the transition and relocation of GWP’s global secretariat from Sweden to one of the G20 member countries; the decentralisation of GWPO into Regional Technical Hubs across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, which, together with GWP Regional Water Partnerships, will serve as engines of a bold transformative agenda on integrated investments in water security and climate resilience.
Honorable Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation, South Africa, welcomed the news on the establishment of the GWPO Transition Office in South Africa and accepted the invitation to join the High-Level Global Transformation Council (GTC) in her capacity as host Minister responsible for water and sanitation in South Africa, the current Chair of the G20. (Photo credit: South African Government website).
Global Transformation Agenda Announced on the Sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government
Alex Simalabwi, GWPO CEO and Executive Secretary of GWP, announced the Global Transformation Agenda on 15 February 2025, on the margins of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, which recently concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mr Simalabwi was addressing over 70 delegates from African countries in Adis Ababa during a high-level session, ‘Towards the 2025 Africa Water Investment Summit in the context of G20 Presidency of South Africa and UN 2026 Water Conference’, organised as part of the African Union training on guidelines for preparation of climate-resilient national water investment programmes. He announced that the Board (Steering Committee) of GWP had adopted the Global Transformation Agenda to foster collaboration on water and climate resilience and drive investments at all levels, strengthen partnerships and joint action from global to regional and local level.
A Strong Foundation for Transformation
For nearly 30 years, GWP has been at the forefront of advancing water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development worldwide. Through its extensive network, GWP has empowered countries, communities, and industries to adapt to growing water challenges, strengthened governance frameworks to ensure a water-secure future, and leveraged billions in climate-resilient water investments.
Now is the right time to change the status quo – pushed by the new global political dynamics and opening of new opportunities - and build on this strong foundation for bigger and stronger impacts, with unprecedented acceleration in both the pace and scale of mobilisation of climate-resilient water investments, in response to the current global water and climate emergency.
GWP’s Transformation Agenda includes strengthened partnerships with G20 countries, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), global climate finance institutions, regional financial and economic institutions, and others. Later this year, GWP and partners will also launch the Global Water Investment Programme (GIP) on water and climate resilience to mobilise €500 million, which would leverage at least USD 15 billion by 2030. The GIP will build on the successes and lessons of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) and similar initiatives.
As part of its evolution, GWP is now entering a new phase to reinforce its intergovernmental status and broaden its global partnerships. In this context, GWP is actively engaging with G20 nations to establish a new Host Country Agreement and develop regional GWPO Technical Hubs that will further strengthen local impact.
Key Steps in GWP’s Transformation
As we move forward, GWP will:
✅ Scale up investment in climate-resilient water security mobilising €500 million that will leverage at least USD 15 billion by 2030.
✅ Strengthen global leadership and commitment for climate resilience water security and financial sustainability through expanded partnerships with G20, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and climate finance institutions.
✅ Enhance regional presence and impact, establishing decentralised GWPO Technical hubs at continental level in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, and Europe.
✅ Establish the GWPO Transition Office in South Africa to lead the transition and relocation of GWP’s global secretariat.
The Transformation Agenda has received strong support from key stakeholders, including the GWP Board (Steering Committee), the GWP Technical Committee, GWPO Secretariat staff, and the GWP Regional Partnerships. Some development partners have also expressed encouragement describing the plan as an “optimistic direction for the future” acknowledging that “GWP is on the right track.”
A Call to Global Leaders & Partners
The global water crisis requires a unified, urgent response. With escalating threats from climate change, water scarcity, and unsustainable resource use, GWP remains the leading intergovernmental organisation dedicated to water governance.
The Global Transformation Agenda represents a bold step towards a more resilient and impactful future. Endorsed by key governance bodies and partners, we call on governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society to join us in this transformative journey—ensuring that water remains central to global development.
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