Darío Soto-Abril took up his new role as GWP Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 1 March. In this interview, he shares his vision for the network at a time when GWP celebrates its 25th Anniversary. He also reflects on his personal view of water, as he answers the World Water Day 2021 question on what water means to him. Going back to childhood memories of growing up in Colombia, he has two words for this: happiness and equality.

The Strategic Framework for WASH Climate Resilience, developed by GWP and UNICEF, to guide implementors in climate-proofing WASH services, will be a valuable tool in UNICEF’s new drive to bring water security solutions to 450 million children and their families , living in areas of high or extremely high-water vulnerability, by 2025.

A 3-part webinar series took place in February and March to highlight and clarify linkages between water and climate in national climate action plans, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and various investment mechanisms. “For me, the stories from countries were the best part. I think they speak to all of us and tell us what it's really like to change theory into implementation on the ground,” said Dani Gaillard-Picher, GWP Global Coordinator for Water and Climate Processes, in her summary of the series.

A challenged world is an alert world. In light of the theme of International Women’s Day 2021 - Choose to Challenge - GWPSA spoke to four women working in the African water sector about the gender biases and inequalities that should be challenged.

Today is International Women’s Day and, with the rest of the world, GWP is celebrating the tremendous efforts by women and girls in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The concept of gender mainstreaming in water resources management is not new, but we are not advancing at the pace we need. Why is that? How can countries accelerate progress towards gender mainstreaming in water resources management?

The Masungi Georeserve was announced winners of the Water ChangeMaker Awards in a ceremony at the Climate Adaptation Summit on 25 January. Their project is about restoring forgotten watersheds through youth-led movements. In a Facebook Live session on 4 March, Billie Dumaliang, representing the winning team, encouraged youth to be brave and creative, and to work together when tackling their climate challenges.

GWP and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched a new Perspectives Paper, “Storing Water: A new integrated approach for resilient development." The launch took place in a webinar on 24 February, gathering about 300 people for what is to be the start of a broad cross-sector dialogue on water storage.