This paper argues that water security in the 21st century requires leaders, practitioners, and societies to continue their journey of taking an integrated approach to water resources management. Moreover, it argues the need to expand our views on how this can best be done—to make a difference at the local level, in river basins and cities. It is a Perspectives Paper, meant to incite a discussion on important issues related to water and development.
This paper helps details the shift from a “silo” approach that attempts to manage different aspects of urban water cycle in isolation to an integrated approach. IUWM calls for the alignment of urban development and basin management to achieve sustainable economic, social, and environmental goals. This is a Technical Background Paper, written by the GWP Technical Committee, a group of internationally recognised professionals in integrated water resources management.
Water is not just part of the economy; it is embedded within the economy. Without water, the economy could not function. Thus water has the potential to lead the process of ‘greening’ the world’s economies. This is a Perspectives Paper, meant to incite a discussion on important issues related to water and development.
More than half the world’s population depends upon water resources shared by more than one country. The Handbook provides guidance on planning and collaboration beyond national boundaries. In successive sections, it addresses the concepts of cooperation, governance, information systems, participation, planning and financing. It considers the specific challenges related to inland waterways, major water infrastructure, ecosystems and climate change. This Handbook was produced jointly by GWP and the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) in order to capture experiences with planning and implementing IWRM.
Climate change is undermining development efforts and will cause unavoidable impacts. Managing water better is central to the world’s development and adaptation challenges, including food security, energy production, poverty reduction, economic growth, and human health. This briefing note lays out key aspects of water and climate change impacts and strategies. Briefing notes are two-page summaries on selected topics. They are prepared by GWP’s Global Secretariat and its partners.
GWP's Global Strategy argues that sustainable development will not be achieved without a water secure world. A water secure world means ending fragmented responsibility for water and integrating water resources management across all sectors, as this briefing note lays out. Briefing notes are two-page summaries on selected topics. They are prepared by GWP’s Global Secretariat and its partners.
Agricultural irrigation uses 70-75% of global freshwater withdrawals and up to 95% in South and Central Asia. These withdrawals are expected to increase as the appetite for water-intensive foods grows in rising-income nations. This briefing note lays out several aspects of sustainable water management for agriculture and food security. Briefing notes are two-page summaries on selected topics. They are prepared by GWP’s Global Secretariat and its partners.
Water Demand Management (WDM) has emerged as a key issue of sustainable development in the Mediterranean. This approach comprises a set of measures intended to increase the technical, social, economic, environmental, and institutional efficiency of various water uses. This paper captures the experience gathered in the Mediterranean region with managing water scarcity through WDM. Technical Focus Papers are publications of the GWP Technical Committee that harness and share knowledge generated by GWP Partnerships.
