On the 24th of May 2015, in Dakar, Senegal, GWPSA was presented at a validation workshop of the draft Priority Action Plan (PAP) for addressing Transboundary Water Resources Management. The workshop went towards the process of mainstreaming the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Strategic Framework on Water Security and Climate Resilient Development. The workshop was attended by Representatives from the following organisations; African Union Commission (AUC), AMCOW Secretariat, AMCOW-TAC Chair and TAC Vice Chairs Regional Economic Communities (RECs), River and Lake Basin Organisations (R/LBOs) and Global Water Partnership.

The Synthesis Report on Economically Water Insecure (EWI) Regions presents a documentation of the proceedings held at the 7th World Water Forum in April 2015. The report was prepared by GWP Senior Advisor Alan Hall, as Coordinator for the EWI sessions.

 

This session was organised by a partnership of five international organisations from four continents: African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Development Bank of Latin America, Global Water Partnership and K-Water.

 

As part of the Regional Process of the 7th World Water Forum in Gyeongju, a series of five sessions were held with a focus on EWI regions. The sessions brought together participants from four regions to share experiences and lessons from countries/regions facing similar water and economic constraints - without being constrained by traditional regional geographical boundaries.

The follow up will form part of the proposed SDG Initiative through which the poorest and most water insecure countries will be helped in the future work programme.

Access the Synthesis Report here.

 

Madagascar held its SADC Water Week on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th June at the Ivato Conference Centre in Antananarivo. This event was held in high esteem given the present context in Madagascar. In fact, it has just been about 17 months since Madagascar was welcomed back in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). On Wednesday the 3^rd, a joint session was held for media experts and the youth to provide them with some relevant background information on this SADC initiative. The meeting brought together  youth from the water sector and beyond, as well as media experts from various ministries, some NGOs, civil societies and academic institutions.

National consultations towards consolidating Madagascar’s input into the RSAP formulation were held at the Ivato Conference Centre (CCI) on 4^th and 5^th June in Antananarivo. It saw the attendance of more than 200 various national stakeholders from all water-related sectors in Madagascar. Media experts as well as youth were fully represented.

Mauritius joined the other SADC countries in providing input to the 4^th phase of the Regional Water Programme by holding a workshop in the context of the SADC Water Week on 3 and 4^th June 2015. The meeting held at Voilà Hotel in Bagatelle was opened by Mr. Ivan Collendavallo, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, and attended by 60 stakeholders from the water sector, supporting sectors, media and youth.

His Majesty King Mswati III's government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy of Swaziland has joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in giving contributions to the fourth SADC regional water work programme. This three day event, held under the theme “from vision to Action” is being held from 27-29 May, 2015. The event is being held at Happy Valley in Ezulwini, Swaziland.

The Botswana SADC Water Week was held from 28-30 April 2015 in Gaborone at the Cresta President Hotel (Journalist training and Youth Forum) and the Cresta Lodge for the consultative forum. During the youth forum, the youth agreed on setting up a structure that will implement youth activities at country level and this will be housed by the Botswana Water Partnership Secretariat.

Youth are an integral partner in managing water issues – this was evidenced through the participation of over 30 youth that participated in the SADC Water Week held at the Maseru Sun Cabanas Hotel in Maseru, Lesotho from 21-23^rd April, 2015. The event proved that engagement of youth in water management issues makes it possible for the youth to understand their roles as possible stewards in water management affairs. Held under the theme “From Vision to Action”, the youth were able to make personal commitment to solutions practicing better water management.

The Cercle Elais Hotel in the Commune of Gombe in Kinshasa, DRC was a hive of the SADC Water week activities that ran from the 27^th - 29th of April, 2015. This highly anticipated event was perceived as a big water celebration and brought together national stakeholders from a variety of sectors including civil societies, academic institutions and consumer associations. The programme started with the journalists training which was coupled with the youth forum in an attempt to provide the media practitioners with topic ideas on the challenges and realities faced by the young water professionals. The youth aged from 15 to 35 years old were representatives of various students associations, youth organisations and private companies. 

 

The National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP)/GWP Joint Mission aiming at supporting the National Adaptation Planning process in Madagascar and suggesting next steps and actions was held from 9th to 19th March 2015 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.