This is a series of webinars for capacity development in addressing indicators for SDG 6 under the “Integrated Monitoring of Water and Sanitation Related SDG 6 Targets”, also referred to as the Global Expanded Moni-toring Initiative, or GEMI. Concerning targets 6.3.1, 6.5.1 and 6.6.1, UN-Water developed an integrated monitoring guide on them to track global progress towards the goal. Seven step-by-step methodologies are developed to make the progress easier for countries to meet the indicators. The guides are developed in Eng-lish and translated to other UN languages.
GWP China worked with regional partners for translation, preparation, delivery and review the inauguration webinar in Beijing Time Zone, on “Target 6.5: Indicator 6.5.1 Integrated Water Resources Management”. It aims to engage with and inform the national focal points of the monitoring and reporting process for indicator 6.5.1. The translation into Chinese from the pack of English materials was set well on time, but its launching was put off until June 1 after Chinese national holidays in late May. The translation and presentation had been conducted in the light of the terms of reference given by the UNEP, Cap-Net. Rooted in close relationship between GWPO and UNEP, it was proceeded in line with programme schedule under the aid of the Cap-Net team and GWPO.
Occurring in the same period (late May and early June), the inception webinars were held in other languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian) across different time-zones, though the content of each webinar was the same. After the webinar, each organizer shared ‘lessons learned report’. The reports enlightened GWP China to develop several proposals in case of any challenges. For instance, in the Chinese webinar, the multiple choice was designed to be open to webinar attendees meant for free answers and mutual interaction at the soonest. Subjective questions were arranged by offline answers beforehand and used for stimulating agreement or disagreement. Beware of awkward pauses or few questions raised, some Q&A references from reports were adopted in terms of potential similar chal-lenges to the domestic focal points. The groundwork in this regard helped such situation and set pre-senters’ mind at ease.
One hour webinar was recorded. And after that, its PowerPoint presentation and video recording have been frequently visited and downloaded from the UNEP website in a few days, even through the inception had small number of attendees.
China has been active in promoting SDG, and particularly strived to achieve equitable and efficient use of wa-ter through IWRM towards social-economic development and environmental sustainability. GWP China has also moved along with the government towards SDGs in China through either GWP SDG PF programme or other communications platform as such opportunity. In this case, GWP China mobilized resources to provide the Chinese focal points with full description on methodology for assessment of indicator 6.5.1 in Chinese. It helped the focal points to monitor the current degree of IWRM implementation in China and identify barriers to further progress. The translation and interpretation products would also afford them an opportunity to consider possible revising actions on the road to attaining the IWRM targets.