About

GWP’s VISION is a water secure world. Our MISSION is to advance governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development.

OUR UNIQUE VALUE: GWP mobilises action on the global water crisis through a unique combination of social capital, shared values, credibility within the global water community, bottom-up orientation, and expertise. A network of networks, we ensure the ‘voices of water’ can inﬂuence local, national, regional, and global development priorities. We are committed to our role as a neutral convener and respected for our focus on inclusiveness and sustainability.

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GWP creates and communicates information about integrated water resources management which contributes to improved water governance and, ultimately, water security.

Together with our Partners, we provide knowledge resources and capacity building activities for solving water problems.

Partner

Institutional Partners are the basis of GWP's multi-stakeholder partnership. A strong, diverse partnership can bring about the changes needed to achieve a water secure world. In this section, learn about the benefits of being a Partner and meet a few who already are. We invite like-minded organisations to join us!

GWP Regions

This is where you can find links to the websites of our Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs). RWPs are closest to the countries where we work. They share knowledge and learning across national boundaries and are expected to have an open, inclusive, and gender-sensitive policies for bringing together as wide a group of stakeholders as possible to solve water problems.

West Africa

9/1/2010

Benin’s National IWRM Action Plan in Progress

Benin in West Africa belongs to the group of Least Developed Countries (LDC) with a low per capita GDP. Its economy is predominantly dependant on subsistence farming (extensive cotton production) and regional trade. The country is drained by a dense hydrographical network made up of seasonal flow rivers and less than 3% of its renewable water resources are currently used.

The water sector is characterized by a sector-based management framework and a lack of collaboration and dialogue between stakeholders. Catchments and water uses are not controlled and do not fall under any enforced regulation.

Benin has recognized the need for integrated water resources management (IWRM) since 1998 and the government initiated a programme to develop a IWRM plan in 2002. Benin's action plan for IWRM includes 54 Actions for adoption by the Council of Ministers. During the planning process, a draft of a new water law, as the only water-specific regulation, was also submitted to the Parliament for adoption in July 2007. In addition a national water policy was developed and adopted by the government in July 2009.

The Global Water Partnership provided important support to the planning process. Benin benefited from the Partnership for Africa’s Water Development programme for the process, which shows how a common agreement was achieved based on the understanding of IWRM and how stakeholders with proven experience and competence were involved. During the process, a drafting Committee made up of national experts and supported by national and international consultants was set up. All relevant ministries, civil society, universities, private sector and NGOs constituted important part in the process.

Advocacy, capacity building and involvement of key players are crucial components in the process. It is also necessary to reorganize the institutional framework following the IWRM principles since relative abundance of water resources should not overlook the need for planning and rational management of these resources to support national development needs.

Read the full case study in the GWP ToolBox.

Page last edited: 1/20/2011