For the first time since the establishment of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) in 2004, Belize has now become an official Partner country of the GWP-C. It is well-known that Belize is a country based in Central America but has maintained strong ties to the Caribbean, as part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Mainly due to the country’s geographical location, it fell under the GWP Central America Partnership.

On 27 April, GWP organised a learning exchange on the topic, “IWRM Action Planning to Accelerate Progress on SDG 6”. The event had over 150 participants who shared their experiences on how to accelerate Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to contribute to the achievement of the water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

GWP El Salvador, the National Development Foundation (FUNDE), the Interinstitutional Network for Territorial Development, Let’s Do It El Salvador and 22 civil society organisations have formed the Trinational Network for the Rescue of the Lempa River. #RescatemosElLempa is a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of one of the main rivers in Central America.

GWP-WA signed on February 19, 2021 with the Regional Office of the IUCN Program for Central and West Africa (IUCN-PACO) an agreement to support the implementation in 2021 of the project titled "Regional Partnership on Water and Environment in Central and West Africa (PREE)", with the financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) organized from 13 to 15 April 2021 a regional workshop to set up a functional platform for the W transboundary biosphere reserve as part of its support to promote and implement an ecosystem-based approach and IWRM practices through better coordination of interventions related to the complex between the three riparian countries, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. The event was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The water users of the Gbadohouin hydrological unit faced problems related to the weak governance of the resource. To address this situation, a Local Water Committee (LWC) was established.

From 4 to 10 April 2021 in Lomé, Togo, GWP-WA’s National IWRM Consultant participated in the mission to conduct a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) expected to lead to develop a high-quality concept note for the project for building the resilience of vulnerable Communities in the country through providing IWRM and WASH climate-sensitive services.

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.

Following a study conducted by GWP-Cameroon within the context of the AIP Water Climate Development-Gender Program (WACDEP-G) to identify the formal and informal barriers to gender equality in the planning and implementation of development projects in the country’s water and climate sector, a stakeholder dialogue was held in Douala from April 29th – 30th to consolidate and enrich the results and recommendations of the study.

The GWP Steering Committee members appointed Ms. Jamilla Sealy as Vice-Chair of the committee with immediate effect. Sealy, who joined the committee in December 2020, also holds the first-ever permanent youth seat.