The meeting of the 4th Conference of the 2nd GWP China Council was held in Beijing on April 19, 2012.
Le continent africain possède le plus grand nombre de bassins fluviaux transfrontaliers qui, collectivement, couvrent 64% de la superficie de l’Afrique et contiennent un peu plus de 93% de ses ressources en eau de surface. Même si une ressource en eau partagée est source potentielle de conflits, elle représente également un immense potentiel en termes de croissance économique du continent africain où, par exemple, moins de 4% de l’eau disponible est utilisée et moins de 7% du potentiel hydroélectrique est développé.
The African continent has the highest number of transboundary river basins that collectively cover 64% of Africa’s surface area and contain just over 93% of its surface water resources. These rivers are shared between many countries. While a common water resource is a potential source of conflict, it also has tremendous potential as a driver for economic growth on the African continent where, for example, less than 4% of the available water is utilised, and less than 7% of the hydropower potential is realised.
GWP is responding to the climate change challenge through the Global Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) which includes a portfolio of programmes and projects aiming to build climate resilience through better water management. The WACDEP programmes and projects are developed by GWP Regional Water Partnerships in collaboration with relevant governments and regional economic development communities:
GWP Mediterranean presented the Non-Conventional Water Resources Programme in the Mediterranean at the World Water Forum in Marseille. The programme is implemented together with partner institutions, organisations and companies. It aims at advancing the use of Non-Conventional Water Resources in water scarce communities in the Mediterranean, as a cost-effective method for water availability and climate change adaptation. The traditional rainwater harvesting method is used and improved when combined with innovative techniques and methods.
Until recently it was rare for water professionals to consider financing issues. Water advocacy and plans were often aspirational – neglecting to show where the money would come from, how activities would be financed or who would pay for them. It was as if finance was somebody else’s problem. Likewise, people from the finance sector have not given great importance to water related issues. However, this situation is changing and finance is becoming an essential topic in water management circles.