The High Level Panel on Water (HLPW) was set out to raise the profile of water in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Chair Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO).

The interdependence between Water, Energy and Food security (WEF) offers opportunities for stronger collaboration among the three sectors, thus increasing the strength of tackling the region’s developmental Agenda leading to the achievement of the SADC Goals of Peace and Stability, Regional Integration, Industrialisation and Poverty Eradication.

Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Partners adopted strategic repositioning towards water security, job creation, industrialization and SDG implementation in June 2017.

The 3rd Consultation Workshop on enhancing the potential for Private Sector Participation in Water Infrastructure in Lebanon, with emphasis on the role of Banks was organised in Beirut on the 8th November 2017, as part of the National Policy Dialogue on Water Governance and Financing. The Workshop involved more than 25 targeted representatives of relevant public institutions, private banks, regional organisations and NGOs.

Five experts, a Special Advisor and a Gender Expert have been appointed to join GWP-SA-Africa Coordination Unit to boost the drive towards the SADC industrialization, job creation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

"It is important to invest in research and promote new innovations to advance implementation of programmes in the water sector", said Dr. Kenneth Msibi, Policy and Strategy Expert in the SADC secretariat Water Division.

The Global Water Partnership Mediterranean is seeking to hire an expert in the framework of WACDEP project for the activity:Study for the reinforcement of the water resources monitoring & evaluation system in Mauritania.

The investment potential in wastewater treatment and reuse in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) was discussed at a session organised by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) during the recent World Water Week in Stockholm (27 August – 1 September 2017). This was part of the “MENA Focus” set of 4 sessions, led by key institutions in the Region.2017 was the 2nd year that a dedicated MENA Regional Focus was part of the World Water Weeks’ programme, alongside the Regional Focus Days for Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition to the (co) organization of sessions, GWP-Med is coordinating the overall “MENA Focus”.

At the 12th Consulting Partners Meeting held in May 2017, GWPSA Consulting partners adopted a decision for the ‘Strategic Repositioning’ of GWPSA and CWP’s role on water security to advance the SADC Regional industrialisation and job creation agenda as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).