By being registered with GWP, the water partnership is now officially recognized as Global Water Partnership Botswana (GWP Botswana). Working with mandated institutions, particularly government institutions, GWP Botswana implements the agreed strategy of the GWPSA in order to focus on key thematic challenges such as climate change & variability urbanization, food and energy insecurity, support Botswana with its programme on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and other initiatives in River Basin Organisations.
In the accreditation letter to the Botswana Water partnership, Dr. Monika Weber-Fahr GWPO’s Executive Secretary commended the CWP and its partners for their commitment towards Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and a water secure Botswana.
GWPO Executive Secretary, Dr. Monika Weber-Fahr
“My congratulations are extended to each and every GWP partner organization in Botswana for their constructive work, their willingness to get organized and to coordinate their efforts through the creation of this common platform for vital water issues. I also do look forward to seeing the partnership grow. I would like to ask GWP Botswana to reach out new potential partners to build an even stronger multi-stakeholder platform that addresses the critical water challenges in Botswana”, said Dr. Weber – Fahr.
In response to the development, Professor Piet Kenabatho, the Chairperson for the Botswana Water Partnership expressed appreciation for the accreditation and thanked GWPO for entrusting the CWP with the GWP brand.
Professor Piet Kenabatho, the Chairperson for the Botswana Water Partnership
“On behalf of the Botswana Water Partnership and all partners in Botswana, I would like to sincerely thank GWP for trusting us with its brand. The accreditation comes as a boost to us, and it marks the beginning of a journey of increased dedication, outreach and expansion, among others”, said Professor Kenabatho.
The Botswana Water Partnership was established as a partner organization of the GWP Southern Africa in 2003, with a mission to promote collaboration and sustainable utilization and management of water resources in Botswana through the exchange of knowledge, experience and the practice of Image result for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The partnership has evolved over the last 16 years from an IWRM promotional national network at principals by the Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS) in Gaborone, Botswana.
The secretariat delivers its work programme through supporting stakeholder engagement, communication, awareness raising, outreach, policy making as well as capacity building. Furthermore, the partnership encourages joint action programming amongst partners in line with IWRM principles and provides a platform for networking with government departments, the private sector, various specialists and interested groups on water issues.
Achievements of the Botswana Water Partnership
- GWP Botswana has taken a lead and working with the government of Botswana. It has developed the Botswana Integrated Water Resource Management and Water Efficiency (IWRM/WE) .
- The CWP has conducted training throughout Botswana on water management issues amongst the various stakeholders
- The Botswana Water Partnership has contributed to the development of the Botswana National Water Policy of 2012 as well as in the National Water Master Plan Review of 2006.
- It has helped develop the Limpopo River Basin Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan, 2015 – 2019
- It has also collaborated with the Ministry of Education to develop greywater recycling demonstration projects in a number of primary and secondary schools.
- It has also convened and contributed to various national, regional and international workshops/ conferences on water-related issues, climate change, disaster risk reduction and socio-economic development.
To alleviate challenges experienced in carrying out the CWP’s mandate and in response to inadequate water investments in the country, Botswana partners developed an Investment Programme for the country inspired by the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP). The Botswana AIP builds on the national IWRM/WE Plan and responds to the global and national commitments on water management, job creation, SDGs and Climate Resilience. The Botswana Water Investment Programme will champion the implementation of the IWRM/WE plan and foster integrated approaches that recognize the interdependencies of water by advocating for approaches such as water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus while building on the foundations of integrated water resources management and SDG 6 on water and sanitation.