Monthly Report Global Water Partnership

February 2015

Table of contents NewsFlow February 2015 ...................................................................................................................................... 2

GWP Global ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 GWP Regions ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 CARIBBEAN .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

CENTRAL AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

CENTRAL AMERICA .................................................................................................................................................... 16 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE .................................................................................................................................. 18 CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS .................................................................................................................................... 24 CHINA ..................................................................................................................................................................... 40

EASTERN AFRICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 42

MEDITERRANEAN ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 SOUTHERN AFRICA .................................................................................................................................................... 46 SOUTH AMERICA ....................................................................................................................................................... 54

SOUTH ASIA ............................................................................................................................................................. 54

SOUTHEAST ASIA ...................................................................................................................................................... 71 WEST AFRICA ........................................................................................................................................................... 79

Global Water Partnership (GWP), Global Secretariat, Drottninggatan 33, SE-111 51 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone: +46 (0)8 1213 8600, Fax: + 46 (0)8 1213 8604, e-mail: gwp@gwp.org

NewsFlow March 2015

Successful collaboration on transboundary rivers

GWP Lithuania and GWP Poland successfully collaborated on a set of maps, a database and a video,

to improve the management and protection of two transboundary rivers. The project brought

together international experts from Lithuania, Poland, Belarus and Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia.

Read more. (article not published yet)

The rivers are the Pregola, which passes through the Kaliningrad enclave (Russia), Poland and

Lithuania, and the Neman with its basin in Belarus, Lithuania, Kaliningrad Oblast and Poland. These

rivers bring their waters into the Baltic Sea without stopping at the administrative or political

boundaries, so collaboration is needed. This is why the project was initiated, with funding provided

by GWP.

The project – running under the title “Development of GIS communication technology platform and

database for transboundary Neman and Pregolya river basins” – consisted of two successful

workshops, which resulted in a series of tools:

30 GIS maps (short for Geographic Information System) of surface and groundwater, human pressures and impacts, maps of climate change, chemical and ecological status of water bodies

A interactive map and database

A video film on GIS mapping and transboundary cooperation

The GIS maps were shared among stakeholders in the project countries, and they will be included in

the second round of Nemunas and Pregolya river basin district management plans. The maps will be

used in programmes run by Lithuania and Poland under the EU Water Framework Directive.

Thanks to the collaboration, links have improved between water management and GIS experts of the

neighboring countries. During the first river basin planning round (2009-2015) there was little

cooperation between Lithuania, Poland and their non-EU neighbors. The GIS project is a good

example of transboundary cooperation between EU and non-EU countries.

More on transboundary issues in the GWP IWRM ToolBox:

Transboundary: The Drin Coordinated Action; Towards an Integrated Transboundary Water

Resources Management (#459)

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GWP and Swedish Development join forces on gender

GWP-Mediterranean organised a workshop on Mainstreaming Gender and Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR) in water policy related work on 2-4 March 2015, in Athens. It was done in the

framework of the ‘Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector’ Project.

Read more. (article published by GWP Mediterranean)

With a diverse group of participants - from the GWP Secretariat in Stockholm and various GWP

regional partnerships to GWP-Med partners and collaborators, such as the Swedish International

Development Cooperation Agency and the Swedish International Water Institute - the workshop

benefited from a mixed set of backgrounds which enormously contributed to a fruitful exchange of

views. Participants’ main interest focused on exploring conceptual methods and practical tools to

horizontally incorporate gender and CSR in their line of work, as well as to come up with strong

arguments on the added value of streamlining both themes throughout their water related policy

work.

Starting with CSR, presentations focused on the basic concepts and models and the private sector’s

motivation with regards to CSR. Group work focused on engaging the private sector in CSR related to

water as well as GWP’s potential contribution towards this direction. The gender aspect followed

with presentations focusing on the difference between gender and sex, stressing the gender’s

intersectionality when it comes to mainstreaming.

Following the basic concepts, participants were introduced to the methodology, analysis and tools

for integrating CSR and gender issues into all aspects of work. There was a strong demand for

concrete examples of mainstreaming these cross-cutting issues from designing a project up to its

implementation. Key CSR and gender analysis concepts were addressed, along their relevance to the

project results, through a mix methodology of presentations, plenary discussions and group work

based on participatory methodologies. Hands-on exercises were based on actual work cases, such as

the recently launched GWP Gender Strategy and the methodology applied in the National Policy

Dialogues conducted within the ‘Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector’

project and focused on identifying opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming related issues

into water policy related work.

During the workshop, tools were provided to build participants’ capacity on conducting analysis at

different levels; from strategic and project design to operational levels and on using these tools in

consultation processes and policy making, while the benefits and impact of integrating gender and

CSR at all levels were meaningfully addressed.

Participants left the workshop with an enhanced understanding of gender and CSR modalities, fully

aware of the added value that these can bring to their work and equipped with some practical tools

for incorporating them into their work. The workshop was described as an “eye opener” for the

variety of perceptions and concepts provided and analysed, as well as a “stepping stone” that -with

further efforts- can lead towards enhanced projects results.

The workshop was held in the framework of the ‘Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean

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Water Sector’ Project, labelled under the Union for the Mediterranean and implemented by GWP-

Med and the OECD. Aiming to diagnose key governance bottlenecks to mobilising financing for the

Mediterranean water sector and to support the development of consensual action plans based on

international good practices, the project views transparency, accountability and participation as

cornerstones to more sustainable governance structures and an enabling business environment

contributing to the water sector’s financial sustainability.

The Project is financially supported by Sida, under its MENA Regional Strategy that aims to tackle

cross-cutting issues such as gender, human rights, equity and poverty through all supported

development projects. With GWP recently having launched its Gender Strategy, currently being

regionally adapted, the workshop was an excellent opportunity for GWP and Sida to join forces and

strengthen their mutual efforts in mainstreaming gender into the work undertaken within the water

policy projects, as well as to elaborate on the role of private sector contribution in water governance

and the related horizontal issues.

Central American municipal leaders learn about risk management

GWP Central America organized a workshop for 25 municipal leaders and technical personnel of civil

society that work on water issues. The event, which focused on risk management, took place in

Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on February 23-27.

Read more. (article not published)

In Central America the recurrence of extreme hydro-metereological events makes it necessary to

incorporate integrated water resources management (IWRM) as a fundamental element in risk

management actions. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacities of technical

personnel who work at the local level on risk management and IWRM.

The content for the workshop included the regional political framework related to risk management,

an integrated approach to climate change, the nexus between risk management and development,

the relationship between the hydrological cycle and its variables to risk management and climate

change, as well as adaptation to climate change and water security.

The participants were from the six countries of the region: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras,

Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panamá.

GWP Caribbean launches video competition

GWP Caribbean launched a media awards on water, aimed at inspiring Caribbean journalists to raise

awareness on critical water issues in their country and the Caribbean region.

Read more. (article published by GWP Caribbean) – much more available on regional site

More competitions:

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GWP Southern Africa: Have your say!

GWP Central Africa: "Water and Climate Change" competition for media professionals

New language versions of drought publication

The GWP/WMO Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) released last year a

publication on National Drought Management Policy Guidelines. Aside from English, it is now

available in French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

Read more (linking to IDMP page)

The National Drought Management Policy Guidelines provide a template for action that countries

can use in the development of a national drought management policy and drought

preparedness/mitigation plans. The process is structured in 10 steps that can be adapted by

countries to reflect their institutional, infrastructure, legal, socio-economic and environmental

context.

It includes case studies from Brazil, Mexico, Morocco and the USA and will be continuously updated

based on the experiences gained in the guidelines’ application. The guidelines respond to a need for

action oriented drought policies, which Governments articulated at the High-Level Meeting on

National Drought Policies.

GWP getting ready for World Water Day

This year’s World Water Day theme is “Water and Sustainable Development”. Preparatory work for

celebrating the day is underway in several countries, with the main UN celebration taking place in

New Delhi, India, on 20 March. Building up to the event, GWP’s #watergoal campaign has been

stepped up.

Read more. (article not published yet)

GWP India and Ashoka University has formed a strategic partnership as one of the many initiatives

planned for the day. They will have a joint celebration, with a panel discussion on “Water, key to

sustainable development”. GWP India will also be part of the UN celebrations in New Delhi. The

official World Water Day is 22 March.

Coinciding with these preparations, GWP’s campaign to keep a dedicated water goal on the post-

2015 development agenda has intensified, with many countries taking steps to get the word out to

decision makers and key stakeholders. As part of this campaign, GWP is also supporting the UN-

Water #WaterIs campaign.

GWP Nepal conducted a meeting with Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Mahendra Bahadur

Pandey, and Vice Chair of the Nepal Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Govind Raj Pokhrel, informing

them of the importance to have a dedicated water goal. Over the coming months more country

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water partnerships are planning similar actions.

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GWP in the news

A New Water Culture In Cyprus (Revolve Water)

Water–energy nexus key uncertainty in Africa (Polity.org.za)

Fighting Climate Change with Community Action (Inter Press News Agency)

Starved for Energy, Pakistan Braces for a Water Crisis (The New York Times)

Carib stakeholders move to ready water sector for climate change (The Jamaica Gleaner)

Climate-Proofing Water Investment in the Caribbean (Caribbean Climate)

Coming events 20 April 2015, Interactive workshop - South Asia Drought Monitoring System, Dhaka, Bangladesh

20 and 22 March 2015, IV International Water Congress 2015, San Luis, Argentina

22-27 March 2015, Water Week Latin America, Viña del Mar, Chile

23-27 March 2015, Intergovernmental Negotiations on Post-2015 Development Agenda - Third

Session, New York, USA

25-27 March 2015, Dresden Nexus Conference, Dresden, Germany

26-27 March 2015, Water & Health Conference, Geneva and Annemasse, Switzerland

Upcoming events at the Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science (University of Dundee) New Resources Development Dialogue: Urban Flood Risk Management (World Bank) World Water Day tools (UN-Water) Introduction to the Water and Energy Challenge (SBC Energy Institute) Water and Sanitation Assessment Paper (World Bank) Wastewater Management - A UN-Water Analytical Brief

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The Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in Courts Worldwide (WaterLex) Free WPT App for IOS and Android (AquaKnow)

Policy brief on rural sanitation and urban waste management in India (CEEW)

‘Adapting to Climate Change for Sustainable Agribusiness in High Mountain Watersheds: A case study

from Nepal' (ICIMOD)

(Re)configuration of Water Resources Management in Mongolia: A Critical Geopolitical Analysis

(ICDD)

Vacancies

Senior Network Officer, Stockholm, Sweden. Deadline for applications 31 March 2015.

Calls The Mundus maris Award 2015. Deadline 20 April 2015. WEAP Beginner Course in English, 2 courses in April 2015 (SEI) Water Security and International Development MSc (University of East Anglia)

Water Leadership Training Programme (UENR)

King's College London-Accenture Scholarship in MSc Water: Science & Governance. Deadline 15

May 2015.

The Early Career Hydrogeologists’ ‘Coolest Paper’ of 2014 Award . Deadline 31 May 2015.

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GLOBAL

Narrative Report

February 2015

IDMP and APFM

Compiled by Frederik

1. Translation of National Drought Management Policy Guidelines in Arabic, Chinese, French,

Russian and Spanish

The National Drought Management Policy Guidelines have now been translated to Arabic, Chinese,

French, Russian and Spanish. They are available at http://www.droughtmanagement.info/guidelines/

Note: Monika will replace the Russian abbreviation of GWP with the English one and they can then

hopefully also be posted on the GWP website.

Missed to include in my January report:

2. Launch of the IDMP West Africa

Substantial support provided by the IDMP. Article of the inception workshop on 28/29 January by

GWP WAF published here: http://www.gwp.org/fr/GWP-Afrique-Ouest/RESSOURCES/Revue---

Bulletin/L-Chronique-de-fevrier-2015/PROGISAO--le-compte-a-rebours-est-enclenche/

Upcoming events:

Workshop on the IDMP South Asia Drought Monitoring System, 20 April, Dhaka, Bangladesh

organized by GWP SAS. This workshop is held back-to-back with the South Asia Climate Outlook

Forum 6 (SASCOF-6) on 21 and 22 April and the Water Forum 22 and 23 April 2015, also in Dhaka

Bangladesh

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Monthly Narrative report Global WACDEP and Deltas

February 2015

Susanne Skyllerstedt

WACDEP Global

1. LEG Regional Workshop for eastern and southers Africa (probably reported through WACDEP Africa)

23-27 February 2015, Livingstone, Zambia

GWP (Andrew Takawira) participated in a regional workshop on national adaptation plans (NAPs)

conducted by the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) as part of its work

programme for 2014–2015. The training workshops are designed to support countries to advance in

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their NAP process beyond the training conducted during previous regional training workshops. The

workshops are designed and tailored for each region through the support of an advisory group.

GWP was part of the advisory group for the workshop which was composed of representatives and

experts from the respective countries, United Nations organizations, bilateral agencies, regional

centers and networks, and other international organizations that work on adaptation in the least

developed countries (LDCs) from the respective regions. The workshop was part of the second round,

and is being held in collaboration with the joint UNDP UNEP NAP global support programme (NAP

GSP), which GWP is also a partner of.

Objectives of the workshop

- To enhance the capacity of the LDCs to address medium- and long-term adaptation needs through the process to formulate and implement NAPs;

- To share tools and relevant resources of direct use to the countries to facilitate their work on the process to formulate and implement NAPs;

- To share experiences, best practices and lessons learned that countries can build on in the process to formulate and implement NAPs.

http://unfccc.int/adaptation/groups_committees/ldc_expert_group/items/8846.php

2. 7th meeting of the Adaptation Committee in Bonn GWP participated as an observer in the seventh meeting of the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee, on

24 and 27 February 2015 in Bonn, Germany. Participants in the meeting were members of the AC,

representatives from other bodies under the Convention – this time form the Adaptation Fund and

the Green Climate Fund, and observers organisations. The meeting finished off with a one day

session on the upcoming workplan of the AC, and included invited experts from parties and

organisations (Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, UNEP, SEI).

Ms. Christina Chan stepped down as a co-chair and was replaced by Mr. Donald Lemmen (Canada),

who together with the second co-chair Mr. Juan Pablo Hoffmaister (Bolivia), who wokred through the

agenda in the 3 days of the meeting and additional working session on the coming workplan.

The main objective for the participation was to follow the discussions of the AC to identify future

potential entry points for GWP contributions into the work, to identify future activities in which it

might be relevant for GWP to participate, as well as to flag GWP activities related to the mandate of

the AC. Some potential entrypoints for GWP contributions are:

- In connection to the AC mandate to strengthen engagement with national, regional and international organisations, centers and networks.

- In connection to specific activities of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Task Force which has been set up under the AC to address NAPs related issues.

- In connection to an Ad Hoc Technical Support group which has been set up under the AC to provide technical backstopping to UNFCCC Parties

- With regards to discussions on the Means of Implementation for adaptation

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Link to AC meeting webpage with all meeting documents:

http://unfccc.int/adaptation/workshops_meetings/items/6989.php

Link to the NAP Central: http://unfccc.int/nap/

3. GWP contribution to UNFCCC NWP publication In February GWPO submitted five case studies from the GWP regions, to the Nairobi Work

Programme (NWP), for a publication that is under development.

As part of the mandated activities of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological

Advice (SBSTA), the NWP is developing a publication in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee

and the Least Developed Country Expert Group (LEG), with contributions from NWP partner

organisations.

The publication will include case studies highlighting good practices and lessons learned for

developing and applying practical methods and tools for adaptation in water sector at international,

national and local levels, undertaken by public and private sector entities. It will be based on

contributions from the NWP partner organisations, through case study submissions as well as

previously submitted information on the topic.

The publication is expected to be made available for consideration by the SBSTA at the Paris COP in

Nov-Dec 2015, and GWP will continue to collaborate with the NWP, AC and LEG on the finalisation of

the publication.

Deltas

Nothing to report on deltas

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Monthly Narrative report Global IUWM

February 2015

IUWM Global

GWP carried out a mission at the request of the African Water facility concerning the development of

Terms of References for the Water and sanitation Master plan of the city of Kinshasa, using an

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integrated approach. The GWP team was composed of 4 members : Prof Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy

GWP Consultant, Armand Houanye GWP SAF, Gabin Lulendu GWP DRC and Francois Brikke GWPO

and was conducted together with a team from the African Development Bank led by Francis

Bougaire. The mission included a filed visit and discussions of all relevant stakeholders in Kinshasa,

during which the principles of IUWM were introduced and discussed.

The GWP Team has subsequently produced an evaluation report as well as terms of references for

the establishment of master Plan within the IUWM framework that was accepted by the African

Development Bank / African Water Facility. The development of this plan includes several follow up

missions from GWP over a period of two years that would be co-financed by AWF and GWP SAF that

will encompass support missions to the Project Implementation Unit and Training of Trainers on

IUWM. Finally, this successful exercise has been a trigger for the start of a wider discussion for an

IWUM Program in Africa.

GWP Regions

CARIBBEAN

Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C)

Report for February 2015 Activities

GWP-C Launches Media Awards on Water 2015 in Support of a Dedicated Water Goal In 2012, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) did something novel by launching its Media Awards on Water; an annual competition aimed at inspiring Caribbean journalists to raise awareness on critical water issues in their country and the Caribbean region. The Media Awards on Water is also one of the ways the GWP-C commemorates the United Nations (UN) World Water Day which is observed on March 22nd each year. Due to the interest sparked by the competition from Caribbean journalists and the general public over the last three (3) years, this year, the GWP-C’s Media Awards on Water launched on March 9th, 2015 is for the first time a video competition and is open to all Caribbean nationals.

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In addition to celebrating World Water Day (WWD) this year whose theme is “Water and Sustainable Development”, the GWP-C Media Awards on Water 2015 has been strategically designed to feed into a global “Water Goal” campaign launched by all thirteen (13) arms of the Global Water Partnership (GWP); to maintain a dedicated water goal in the lead-up to finalising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of the year. In 2014, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proposed 17 goals which are the basis of negotiations for the SDGs. Of the 17 proposed goals, #6 is a dedicated water goal: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. GWP-C like the entire GWP Network feels that it is important that water be reflected as a priority in the SDGs in order to address the global water crisis. Without a dedicated water goal, water issues risk being forgotten by the global community in this next phase of development effort, threatening the progress of other sustainable human development efforts, our environment, and our economies. The Media Awards on Water 2015 therefore requires participants to produce a two-minute video which begins with the hashtag #watergoal on any of the following themes:

Water and Sustainable Development in the Caribbean

Keep Water a Priority in the Sustainable Development Goals

Water Security: A Caribbean Priority

The Critical Role of Water in the Sustainable Development Goals

It’s Time for Action...It’s Time for a Dedicated Water Goal

Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All

A Water Goal Ensures a Sustainable and Secure Future for Humanity

Keep Goal 6 in the Sustainable Development Goals

Caribbean Leaders Should Not Ignore a Water Goal

No Water Means No Sustainable Human Development

Imagine a Caribbean without Water

Partnerships: One of the Ways to Achieving Caribbean Water Security

Water: A Key Development Priority

Water is Fundamental to Sustainable Development

There is over US$1800 in cash prizes to be distributed among the first, second and third place winners of the competition and there is also a special cash prize for an entry deemed worthy of Honourable Mention by the competition’s judges. The Media Awards on Water 2015 end on April

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19th and all details and guidelines related to the competition can be found on the GWP-C website www.gwp-caribbean.org and on its Facebook page. In the Media News of the GWP-C Media Awards on Water 2015 has already been published regionally in the Guyana Chronicle seen below: http://guyanachronicle.com/global-water-partnership-launches-media-awards-on-water2015-competition-open-to-all-caribbean-nationals/. News of the Media Awards on Water was shared with the Guyana Chronicle by GWP-C’s Partners, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

GWP-C Commemorates World Water Day 2015 by Advocating for a Water Goal In addition to its Media Awards on Water competition, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) plans to commemorate World Water Day (WWD) on March 22nd with the release of a short video targeted at Caribbean leaders which advocates for water being a priority on the development agenda and the crucial need for a water goal in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The video ties directly into the GWP Network’s global campaign to maintain a dedicated water goal in the SDGs.

GWP-C and Partner Featured in Inter Press Service (IPS) Article

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In December 2014 in Trinidad, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) under its Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) tried a novel approach to build capacity and promote information sharing on water and climate issues. The approach involved bringing together Caribbean journalists, communications practitioners and young professionals from environmental youth organisations to provide them with training on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Climate Resilience and also allow the two groups to network and establish working relationships. Within that workshop participants were immersed in a real-life environment to add to their knowledge of key concepts learnt with a field visit to GWP-C’s partner, the Fondes Amandes Community Re-forestation Project (FACRP) where they learnt first-hand

about watershed management, rainwater harvesting practices, climate change adaptation and more.

Coming out of the field trip to the FACRP within the GWP-C workshop, an article entitled “Fighting Climate Change with Community Action” was published on February 18th, 2015 by the Inter Press Service (IPS); a well-known international news provider that has been around since 1964. The article references the work of GWP-C’s partner, the FACRP; a community-based organisation in Trinidad that has existed since 1982 and has been responding to climate change since then by fighting the dry-season fires that had been ravaging the Fondes Amandes watershed every year. The FACRP is an innovative and successful eco-project in the Caribbean and is widely recognised as a model of sustainable development in the region. The article also touches on GWP-C’s partnership with the FACRP and how the organisations have collaborated with each other. The article can be found on the IPS website here: http://www.ipsnews.net/2015/02/fighting-climate-change-with-community-action/.

GWP-C Welcomes a New Regional Coordinator

In February, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) was pleased to welcome its new Regional Coordinator (RC), Mrs. Patricia Shako-Parris to its Secretariat in Trinidad. More about GWP-

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C’s new RC will be published in the Monthly Report for March and the next issue of GWP-C’s newsletter, “Caribbean Water Insight.”

CENTRAL AFRICA

5th CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP ON WATER SECURITY AND

CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Yaoundé, February 25-26, 2015

The 5th training session, the last of the series of five carried out within the framework

of the implementation of capacity building program on water security and climate

resilience, was organized by GWP Cameroon from 25th to 26th of February 2015. Its

main objective was to equip participants with skills and knowledge on mainstreaming

water security and climate resilience in their day to day functions for climate resilient

development.

Conducted through presentations, interactive plenary discussions and group works

the training session introduced an exercise on the four Program phases for which 14

Participants drawn from 5 different ministries were grouped in 4 group works and

tasked each on writing 10 key elements corresponding to the Program phases. This

brought them better understand and appropriate water security and climate

resilience. Finally, they elaborated bankable projects to be submitted for NEPAD

funding.

During the two days of this workshop, the 14 Participants, with support from their trainers / mentors, reviewed the four phases of the program which are understanding the problem, identifying and evaluating the options, implementing the solutions and ensuring monitoring and evaluation. The workshop ended with the awarding of certificate of participation.

As a matter of interest, the capacity development program on water security and climate resilience was launched on April 22nd 2014.

SECOND EDITION OF “WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE” COMPETITION FOR

MEDIA

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February 1st to June 30th 2015

GWP-CAf launched on February 1st, the second edition of “water and Climate

change” competition for media professionals. This competition runs till June 30th

2015.

Participation to this competition is open to media professionals living in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECAS) and reporting on environment.

It is expected that Journalists will make a special effort to mainstream water and climate change into their publications or productions in order not only to raise awareness but also exhort population to good endogenous practice. Because “Water and Climate Change” are a critical component of socio-economic development in Central Africa.

Therefore it is imperative to raise awareness of decision-makers and population

through the media on good water governance, to ensure that Central Africa’s

population better understand and mainstream water and climate change in their

daily life.

IN SUPPORT OF A DEDICATED WATER GOAL CAMPAIGN

Within the framework of the implementation of sustainable development goal (SDG) campaign launched on February 2nd by GWP, GWP-CAf wrote to Central African States ministers of water to raise their awareness in order to support a dedicated water goal to be maintained through the UN Post-2015 development agenda and pledge for good water governance in their respective countries. In the same way, digital SDG campaign through media social group (tweet release, Facebook) as well as on website was made. This campaign is an ongoing event.

Meanwhile, Country Water Partnership chairs were consulted to pursue this campaign through meetings with government officials.

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CENTRAL AMERICA

GWPO Report February 2015

Local leaders and civil society learn about risk management

GWP Central America organized a workshop for 25 municipal leaders and technical personnel of civil

society that work in water issues, from the six countries of the region on Risk Management

Associated to Water. This event took place in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from the 23rd to 27th of

February.

In Central America the recurrence of extreme hydrometereological events make it necessary that risk

management actions incorporate IWRM as a fundamental element. The objective of the workshop

was to strengthen capacities of technical personnel who work at the local level on risk management

and IWRM.

Content for the workshop included the regional political framework related to risk management,

IWRM and climate change, the nexus between risk management and development, the relationship

between the hydrological cycle and its variables to risk management and climate change, adaptation

to climate change, water security among others.

Photo gallery

First online course on IWRM and climate change for journalists

The online course for Central American journalists on water, risk and climate is underway. The course

is part of the regions ongoing effort to train journalists so that the quality and quantity of articles

regarding water increases.

The course was organized by GWP Central America, together with the Pan American School of

Agriculture (Zamorano), and includes an overview of issues related to environmental journalism as

well as issues regarding IWRM, risk management and climate change. The professor for journalism,

MSc. Roberto Miguel Herrscher, is the director of a joint master’s degree between the University of

Barcelona and Columbia University, and the professor for the water related issues is MSc. Erika

Alejandra Tenorio Moncada who is part of the faculty of the Pan American School of Agriculture.

Twenty journalists from all the countries representing different media (online, radio, press, and

institutional communication) of the region are participating in the course, which began on February

16 and will finalize on the 17th of April.

GWP contributes to the Regional Environmental Strategy

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The Central American Environmental Commission, part of the regional integration system (SICA) has

recently launched the Regional Environmental Strategy 2015-2020 that was approved by ministers,

December 2014. GWP Central America contributed to the section on IWRM.

The strategy will help integrate the environmental efforts of SICA and national environmental

entities, to ensure the necessary actions for the environmental sustainability of ecosystems. The

document was the product of a broad participatory consultation process between May and

November of 2014. The priorities mentioned in the strategy include climate change and risk

management, forests, oceans and biodiversity, IWRM, environmental quality, business and

environment, and finance mechanisms.

The document highlights that Central America has a wide variety of natural resources, it contains 8%

of global biological diversity distributed in 206 ecosystem, 33 eco-regions and 20 life zones. It has

about 12% of the coasts in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 567,000 hectares of

mangroves and 1,600 kilometres of coral reefs.

Download Strategy

GWP Central America participates in the regional process towards VII World Water Forum

GWP Central America was part of the Regional Committee of the Americas, which coordinated the

preparatory process for this event, and among other things was entrusted, with the preparation of

the position paper of the sub-region. The final draft addresses the six issues prioritized for the World

Water Forum in addition to proposing a number of strategies that are needed to overcome other

challenges in the region's water security.

The document also includes key messages that were written by the directions of water from the

Ministries of Environment of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama,

that should be considered in the management of water resources in the region:

Water security is the basis for national development objectives on the use and conservation

of water.

Countries need to strengthen their institutional capacities, including an improved

information systems and knowledge on water.

The regional water potential can directly contribute to the achievement of social and

economic development goals.

Transboundary basins know no boundaries so it is necessary to manage them jointly,

through bilateral or multilateral cooperation.

The Central American Integration System (SICA) is the ideal platform to promote, propose,

adopt, implement and monitor regional water policies.

The management and water culture in Central America should assess and recover ancestral

and local knowledge adapting appropriate and effective technologies to ensure the rational

and equitable use of the resource.

Considering that water is key to development, Central America must allocate resources for

IWRM; water contributes directly to sectors such as health, agriculture and energy.

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The document in English can be downloaded at: http://www.gwp.org/Global/GWP-

CAm_Files/Central%20America%20Sub%20Regional%20Process_VIIWWF.pdf

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Monthly report February 2015

COUNTRY WATER PARTNERSHIPS activities GWP Bulgaria

In February GWP Bulgaria worked on IDMP CEE mainly on updating M3 and M4 Milestones of Act. 5.2, as well as on a new Milestone 5. Also, GWP Bulgaria did a publication with drought scenarios (temperature and precipitation) of 4 GWP CEE countries in 2050-2070 in magazine "Ecology 21".

In February GWP Bulgaria cooperated with Ministry of Environment and Water and the National Scientific Technical Union in preparation of National celebration of World Water Day on March 23, 2015, in Sofia.

Two announcements of 2014 Danube Art Master and GWP CEE participation in WaterInnEU project will be printed on cover pages of March special issue of Water Affairs magazine.

GWP Estonia

A public seminar on developments in National Water Data Management was held on 18

February 2015 in Tallinn, in the premises of the Estonian Environmental Agency back to back with the

GWP Estonia’s Annual General Meeting. There were three presentations about the changes in the data

management given but it was also said that there reforms will be finalised only in 2016. Still it was a

very informative seminar. There were about 50 participants in the auditorium and quite active

discussion. After the seminar the Annual General Meeting approved the financial statements and

Activity report for 2014. The chairman Arvo Järvet and vice chairman Toomas Tamm were re-elected,

but the rest of the board (4 people) rotated. The homepage administrator also remained a member of

the board.

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GWP Estonia was asked to express their opinion in writing on the draft Strategic

Environmental Impact Assessment (SEA) on the cooperation programme between Estonia and Russia.

GWP Estonia’s conclusions were that the strategic assessment is too general and does not analyse the

environmental impacts of the economic activities on transboundary waterbodies (Lake Peipsi and

Narva River) enough thoroughly, neither does it cover the need to take remediation measures where

necessary. GWP Estonia demanded that both the programme itself as well as its assessment to be

amended and an additional public hearing to be organized. This opinion was sent to many

organisations, including the EC Directorate on neighbourhood policies (EUROPEAID). The SEA under

criticism was compiled by the Tartu office of the expert agency Hendrikson and Co Ltd.

GWP Estonia has submitted a written opinion on the draft bill on changing the EIA Law

(concerning the size of waterbodies that need EIA for impounding activities). GWP Estonia’s letter on

the proposal to change the National Law on the Environmental Impact Assessment is dated 16

February 2015, while the explanatory letter to the draft bill dates from 19 January 2015. There was a

plan to change the requirements concerning the size of the impounded waterbody (whether the EIA is

needed or not). The Estonian draft requirement in the draft law was 500 times stricter than the

relevant clause in the EU Directive. The first reading of the bill was in December 2014 and the deadline

for submitting changes was January 6, at 4 pm. It seems that the GWP Estonia letter was a bit late. The

final outcome of the process was positive, so going more public was not necessary. In principle, the

members of the GWP Estonia could have been informed about the process at least via the members’

list if not have a chance to give input to the discussion.

GWP Hungary

The organization of the 2015 SJWP-Hungary competition is ongoing.

The editing of an online GWP water glossary is ongoing.

GWP Hungary is organizing the 2015 Danube box national contest for two age groups of students. It was launched 2 February on World Wetlans Day.

On 17 February József Gayer attended a meeting of the Water Management Scientific Council and reported on the development of the GWP water glossary.

The GWP Hungary homepage has been maintained and regularly updated.

GWP Lithuania

Transboundary cooperation between Lithuania, Poland, Belarus and Kaliningrad Oblast

Two transboundary rivers, the Pregola which passes through the Kaliningrad enclave (Russia), Poland

and Lithuania and the Neman with its basin in Belarus, Lithuania, Kaliningrad Oblast and Poland bring

their waters into the Baltic Sea without stopping at the administrative or political boundaries. For this

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reason the project on “Development of GIS communication technology platform and database for

transboundary Neman and Pregolya river basins ” was initiated by the GWP-Lithuania and GWP-

Poland. After two succeful workshops, the final outputs of the project were compiled:

30 GIS maps of surface and groundwater, human pressures and impacts, maps of climate change, chemical and ecological status of water bodies were created

Interactive map and database were developed

Video film on GIS mapping and transboundary cooperation produced

GIS maps were shared among various stakeholders in the project countries. Important outcome is that

these maps will included into the second round of Nemunas and Pregolya river basin district

management plans and programmes of measures prepared by Lithuania and Poland under the EU

Water Framework Directive.

A significant result of the project is strengthened professional links between the water management

and GIS experts of neighboring countries of Belarus, Lithuania, Kaliningrad and Poland. During the first

river basin planning round (2009-2015) cooperation between Lithuania, Poland and their non-EU

neighbors was totally missing. Current GIS project is a good example of transboundary cooperation

between the EU and non-EU countries. Professional cooperation of water and GIS experts will be

continued.

GWP Romania

GWP Romania was actively involved in the preparations of the GWP CEE Regional

Council meeting, which will take place in Bucharest, on 19-20 April. It will be back to back with the

Final Integrated Drought Management Programme, jointly organized with DMCSEE and WMO, to be

held on 21-22 April.

On 19 February in Bucharest - was organized by the IWA (International Water

Organization CEE) Regional Office with main topic being “Presentation of IWA Strategy for the period

2014-2018 and its associated work Plan for the 2015 for the Bucharest IWA Regional Office” (

“Prezentare IWA: Strategia IWA 2014-2018 si Planul de lucru pentru anul 2015 pentru Biroul IWA

Bucuresti”). The meeting was attended by approx. 30 participants from many organizations, some

business oriented, some others from NGO types, from

Ministry of Waters and Environment, from associated

Universities, etc. Liviu Popescu presented GWP actions at

multiple levels global, regional and national in support of the

“WATER to get the Unique SDG in the UN Agenda post 2015”

and where he had the possibility to disseminate the Briefing

Note dedicated to this issue prepared by GWP and translated

into Romanian. Due to the long lasting relations of GWP

Romania with IWA this was recognized and all agreed that this

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positive cooperation and outcomes should be kept and continued by all parts, and most representative

responses for the future cooperation should be found.

The works within the Integrated Drought Management Program project continued in

partnership with the National Administration for Meteorology as main partner and their Associated

Partners from our country. Under package of activities 2 GWP Romania has presented the main

contributions and results of comments for final formats of IDMP Guidelines, developed under the

activity 2.1. The most important outcomes of the IDMP project, the comparisons with sorts of local

IDM Guidelines, were prepared at national levels on the basses of existing Policies, Strategies and/or

National Drought Management Plans that the country had prepared and used.

GWP Romania has started working on the 6th book from the series dedicated to the

theme “The life in Black Sea”. This year GWP Romania is involved in the preparation of a new version

on the same topic “The Life in Black Sea - protected area sites with EU importance from the Romanian

Black Sea coast” in English. The book will be dedicated to the marine living creatures from all 23 types

of designated protected areas from the Black Sea coast that are also included in the EU/ NATURA 2000

network. It addresses a larger group of readers including, students and newly graduated experts. The

book contains 12 chapters included in this book, 8 of them dedicated to the groups of living creatures

of the respective ecosystem and the other 4 out of 12, being dedicated to the rules, needs and

meanings of establishing such protected areas, plus the rules that have to be respected by the visitors

in such areas. The book was assigned an ISBN number which makes it a scientific book recognized by

academic institutions.

The translation of volume 19 “Groundwater Governance and Irrigated Agriculture” and

volume 20 “Water Security: Putting the Concept into Practice” has started and when the translation

will be finished, they will be placed in its original editorial formatting and on GWP Romania’s website.

Other publications are also available on the website - IDMP CEE Guidelines poster, Briefing Note “In

support of a dedicated Water Goal”. The Briefinmg note will have a larger dissemination done by GWP

Romania and GWP Romania’s partners at local and international events and GWP Romania will try to

make the most intensive advocacy for successful inclusion of water as a dedicated goal in SDGs.

GWP Slovenia

On 6 February M. Zupan participated to the professional consultation “Large

infrastructure projects in Slovenia; From missed to sustainable investments” and she presented the

work of GWP CEE and GWP Slovenja on Sustainable development goal for water. The discussion during

the consultation was very lively, on both good and bad practices.

From the consultation has been sent a call to the government with following main messages:

The Slovenian government should find solutions beyond the narrow understanding of infrastructure

as large built facilities and in strategic planning also takes into account scenarios based on so called

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soft measures. To avoid repeating the mistakes from the past and plan infrastructure projects based

on real needs and strategic direction of the country. Only a professional, responsible and innovative

planning and project management will enable Slovenia to exploit the potential and strategic

development opportunities.

On 12 February M. Zupan participated to the conference Water Days of Primorska 2015,

Water resources Management and the Acquisition of EU Funds 2014-2020, organized by Government

Office for Development and European cohesion policy and Ministry for Environment. The conference

was organized for municipalities in the region, experts, governmental bodies, civil society with the aim

to enable them for better understanding of potential sources for co-financing of projects and future

plans, first of all in Adriatic basin.

On 24 February M. Zupan participated as GWP CEE representative to the 37th session

of ISRBC in Zagreb. The reports on work done in 2014 and plans for 2015 have been reported. We also

agreed that the stakeholder meeting organized in co-operation GWP CEE will be organized on 5th May

in Zagreb. The representatives from energy, water,

agriculture sectors, ISRBC RBM group, municipalities, NGOs

will be invited to discuss communication and public

participation during the 2015 RBMP preparation.

GWP Slovenia is preparing the program for

project proposal on Adriatic and organization of the first

meeting in 8 April on island Cres.

GWP Ukraine

On 10th February Andriy Demydenko as representative of GWP –Ukraine took part in a

meeting of NGOs with authorized representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine and European

Commission DG Environment, Climate, Neighborhood and European External Action Service at the

Aarhus Centre of the Ministry of Environment of Ukraine, where he was advocate the capacity building

needs of Ukraine for introduction of WFD and its instruments RBMP and adaptation water

management for climate change. He presented the results of NPD -2 on integrated droughts

management, particularly on NPD recommendations. Representatives of more than 50 NGOs took part

in the meeting.

On February 16, 2015 the National Discussion of the preliminary results of the Public

Assessment of the Ukrainian Environmental Policy in 2013 was organized in Kyiv in the premises of the

Aarhus Centre by the Ukrainian National Environmental NGO “MAMA-86” (UNENGO “MAMA-86”). The

Public Assessment of the Ukrainian Environmental Policy is a continuation of practice which was

created in 2003 and revived in 2011. This is an important tool of civil society consolidation and

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involvement in the monitoring, evaluation and influence on shaping of the future environmental

policy.

Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine Serhiy Kurykin welcomed

the participants of the discussion and wished them a productive meeting. Oleksandr Klitko, Manager

of the Sector “Environment” of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine in his greeting emphasized

the EU support of the environmental reforms in Ukraine during a long time. 70 civil society

representatives and officials from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine and

other authorities and international institutions took part in the discussion of the draft Assessment, its

conclusions and recommendations. Andryi Demydenko participated in the discussion as representative

of GWP-Ukraine and presented the NPD on droughts recommendations and provided comments on

problems of water policy and IWRM implementation in Ukraine.

In February 2015 there were two short videos about Kyiv river water “River Darnitsa”

and its artificial canal was prepared for publishing in Youtube and on MAMA-86 website. It is

continuation of the series of video - documentaries about nowadays state of the small rivers in the big

city. The author of this film Dmytro Perov , who during summer 2014 and winter 2015 filmed the small

rivers. Film production was supported by GWO –UA. Links on Youtube: here and here.

The results of the 2d National Policy Dialogue (NPD) as well as the principles of IWRM,

water security issue and stakeholders’ participation were raised and promoted at the NGOs meeting

with EU delegations as well as during discussion of Public Assessment of the environmental policy of

Ukraine at the meeting of NGOs. The GWP-UA‘s NPD Statement was disseminated and delivered to

the participants of the events. GWP –UA received the invitation to take part in the drafting of the

National Action Plan to combat soil degradation and desertification from the Department on soil

resources of the Ministry of environment.

Upcoming events: In March GWP-UA will take part in the drafting of the NAP on combat soil

degradation and desertification for Ukraine. WWDay 2015 events will be organized to promote SDG

on water.

GWP CEE Secretariat activities

In February 2015 GWP CEE Secretariat was dealing mainly with:

Preparation of the Regional Council meeting and Final IDMP CEE workshop

Gergana Majercakova and Richard Muller participated in a meeting with ICPDR concerning a possible organization of ICPDR Stakeholder Workshop on 2 February 2015 in Vienna

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Cooperation with regional auditors on Annual Audit 2014

Preparation of agreements for Country Water Partnership activities 2015

Preparation of an agenda and social media campaign for Stakeholder Workshop

Conducting a social media SDG campaign

Translating into Slovak the Dedicated water goal Briefing Note

Preparation of a video about a dedicated water goal in SDGs

UPCOMING EVENTS:

25-27 March, Dresden Nexus Conference 2015, Dresden, Germany

25-28 March, WATERINNEU Kick–off meeting, Barcelona, Spain

12-17 April, World Water Forum, South Korea

19-20 April, Council Meeting, Bucharest, Romania

21-22 April, IDMP CEE Final and Follow up Workshops, Bucharest, Romania

23-24 April, ICPDR Public Participation Expert Group Meeting, Zagreb, Croatia

23-24 April, Danube Financing Dialogue, Zagreb, Croatia

5 May, Public Participation in River Basin Management Planning, Zagreb, Croatia

2-3 June, ICPDR Standing Working Group Meeting, Zagreb, Croatia

2-3 July, Danube Stakeholder Forum, Zagreb, Croatia

17-20 November, UN ECE Water Convention Meeting of the Parties (MoP), Budapest, Hungary

1-2 December, ICPDR Ordinary Meeting, Vienna, Austria

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CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS 1. The 3rd meeting of the Asian Water High Level Round Table (AWHoT) Water Corporation K-Water of South Korea initiated contribution to scientific and technological process of the 7th World Water Forum in the form of special report Insight into Asian Water. For this purpose there was created the Asian Water High Level Round Table. During 2014, two AWHoT meetings were held – the 1st one in Singapore in June and 2nd in Korea in November. The third meeting of AWHoT was held on 25-27 February 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal - at the invitation from Secretariat of the Commission on Water and Energy of the Government of Nepal. The meeting was attended by officials from 12 countries and several international agencies (ADB, KOICA, APWF, Deltares, ICMOD, GWP SEA) in total of 30 persons. From Central Asia participated representative of Ministry of agriculture and water resources of Uzbekistan Birodar Burhononov and Regional Coordinator of GWP CACENA Vadim Sokolov. The meeting goal was to finalize the materials of the future report Insight into Asian Water, which is expected to present at the 7th WWF in April 2015. Special Report Insight into Asian Water will consist of two parts: 1) the country review of problems and prospects; 2) common regional issues, including five priority themes for Asia:

1. Water infrastructure and financing (team leader ADB); 2. Water supply and sanitation (team leader Singapore); 3. The nexus of water and energy (team leader Nepal); 4. Transboundary cooperation - Mekong River basin (team leader Vietnam - MRC); 5. The water ecosystems - the Aral Sea basin (team leader Uzbekistan).

The official part of the meeting on 26th February was started with a welcome addresses to participants from the CEO of K-water Mr. Choi Gyewoon, as well as from the Secretary of the Commission on Water and Energy of the Government of Nepal, Mr. Ishwori Prasad Paudyal. Also welcome speech was done by Mrs. Radha Kumari Gyawali, Minister of Energy of Nepal. The first session of the meeting was organized in the form of group discussions on five priority themes (mentioned above). The Aral Sea problem was discussed within the small group including Mr. Birodar Burhonjonov (MAWR of Uzbekistan), Vadim Sokolov (GWP CACENA), Philippe Gourbsville - Director Polytechnic Laboratory of Nice, France, Mr. Tjitte Nauta - International Adviser of Deltares, the Netherlands, Mr. Park - a representative of K-Water. During this session, Vadim Sokolov made a presentation on the Aral Sea, prepared jointly with the EC IFAS (which was consulted also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan). The group proposed to write a special paper for inclusion in the consolidated publication of AWHoT for the 7th World Water Forum on the basis of the above presentation with more detailed proposals on how to address the problems of the Aral basin - from the perspective of common issues for the whole Asian region. In particular, it was proposed to show the need to stop the over exploitation of human and natural potentials for economic goals at the expense of social and environmental processes. To highlight not only damage from the negative consequences of the Aral crisis, but also the positive

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benefits that have been created in the region due to the use of water - on the basis of which there should be built further developments in the region. The results of the group discussion of the Aral Sea issues were presented at the plenary session. The AWHoT asked the delegates from Uzbekistan to deliver to the authorities of Uzbekistan (MAWR and MFA) request to submit the Aral Sea paper up the end of March 2015 - for the consolidated report Insight into Asian Water for 7th World Water Forum. During the third session of the AWHoT heard brief presentations of country reviews. Total for inclusion in the consolidated report for the AWHoT 7th WWF prepared country papers from 11 countries (Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, South Korea). Review of Uzbekistan was prepared MAWR Uzbekistan together with the EC IFAS and SIC ICWC and agreed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. At the fourth session the AWHoT participants were acknowledged with the K-Water Smart Water Initiative. Director of the K-Water Institute, Mr. Byung Man Choi presented the experience of Korea with high tech tools for water management and how this experience can be distributed in the Asian regional context. During the final session, participants were informed about the next - 4th meeting of AWHoT, which will be held in the framework of the 7th World Water Forum in Gyeongju, Korea on 15th April. During this meeting, it is assumed the official inauguration of the regional report «Insight into Asian Water». It is also planned to establish Asian Water Council, which will include senior officials from water agencies of the countries - members of AWHoT. The main purpose of the AWC will - to promote mutual commitment on water issues in Asia and ways to solve them on the basis of consensus - beyond the 7th World Water Forum.

Opening of the 3rd meeting of AWHoT

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Presentation of the Aral Sea issues to the AWHoT members by Vadim Sokolov

Meeting of two GWP regions – Vadim Sokolov (GWP CACENA Regional Coordinator) and Hla Baw (GWP SEA Chair) 2. Workshop on Water and Green Growth GWP CACENA Regional Coordinator, Vadim Sokolov took part in the Workshop on Water and Green Growth in Asia and the Pacific, which was conducted by the UN ESCAP in collaboration with K-Water on 23 - 25 February 2015 at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. The objective of the Workshop was to promote policy consultations for participants from member countries on applying green growth approaches in water resource management. This includes improved understanding for policy options necessary to integrate and synergize water resource management for sustainable economic growth. The outcomes of the workshop will be provided as inputs to the water and green growth thematic and regional processes of the 7th World Water Forum to be held from 12 to 17 April in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, the Republic of Korea. GWP CACENA submitted to the workshop participants the case study from the Aral Sea basin on the topic Water and Environment, which was prepared in cooperation with SIC ICWC. Also, it was good opportunity for inter-regional communications with partners from other GWP regions across Asia and Pacific concerning better preparations towards the 7th WWF. More information about workshop: http://www.unescap.org/events/workshop-water-and-green-growth

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Participants of the Workshop on Water and Green Growth, UN ESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-25 February 2015

GWP representatives at the Workshop in the UN ESCAP HQ in Bangkok: (from left) Pahrian Siregar (GWP-SEA), Kusum Athokorala (Sri Lanka Water Partnership), Vadim Sokolov (GWP CACENA), Mohd Nor (Malaysian Water Partnership) 3. The Working Seminar "Goris Smart City Profile -Research Mission" The Working Seminar "Goris Smart City Profile -Research Mission" organized by local authority of Goris City, the Ministry of Urban Planning, UNDP, UNECE and REC Caucasus, was held on 10-11 February 201 in the Goris City. Foreign specialists presented main concepts of smart city. The national experts and citizens discussed the smart city indicators. CWP-Armenia participated in those discussions and also presented its ideas for the pilot projects to develop Goris in the way of smart city.

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4. Developing the concept of National Strategy Program for 2015-2025 CWP-Armenia as a partner of the Association For Sustainable Human Development participates in the project "Facilitating dialogue between government and NGOs within implementation of "PostRio+20" process”. CWP-Armenia is responsible for section "Sustainable development of water resources". 5. WACDEP CACENA in Armenia The UNDP representative and coordinator of IHP GEF visited the treatment plant in the Parakar village to become familiar with outcomes of the demonstration project in order to duplicate its in other communities in Armenia. CWP-Armenia is negotiating on purchasing the materials for additional treatment of sewage. 6. The meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Water Policy Dialogue of Georgia under the EU Water Initiative This meeting was organized by CWP-Georgia according to Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Georgia and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and was held on 23 February 2015 at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia in Tbilisi. CWP-Georgia is coordinating NPD from 2010 till now. At the meeting experts presented six draft subordinate acts for new water law:

“On the identification of water bodies and their borders”

“On the consideration and approval of the procedure of the river basin management plans”

“On defining basin-territorial entities for integrated management of river basins”

“Basin management consulting-coordination board composition and proceedings”

“On planning and the fulfillment of the water resources monitoring”;

“On calculation of maximum admissible discharge of pollutant substances in surface waters”

The Steering Committee members will continue this work. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Georgia informed participants about situation with approval of new water law, ratification of the

During Discussion Participants

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Protocol on Water and Health, and signing the bilateral agreement on the Kura between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Information on international water projects in Georgia was presented too. This meeting was attended by representatives of UNECE, OECD, ministries, private and non-profit organizations, as well the project manager of the Water Agency of Armenia (total: 28). Mr. Teymuraz Murgulia, the First Deputy Minister of Environmental and Natural Protection of Georgia, presided over this meeting.

7. Meeting with NGOs On 24 February 2015 in Tbilisi, CWP-Georgia organized the meeting with NGOs at the Forest Department of the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia aiming to inform about activity of the Steering Committee of National Water Dialogue of Georgia under the EU Water Initiative. The experts who presented six draft subordinate acts for new water law were invited (total: 21 participants).

8. The Meeting on the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystem Nexus The Meeting on the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystem Nexus organized by CWP-Georgia jointly with UNECE and the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia was held on 24 February 2015 at the Forest Department in Tbilisi. Meeting the growing water demand without compromising sustainability is a rising challenge in the context of growing population and under the pressure of climate change impacts. It is therefore crucial to better understand the interactions between water, food, energy and water-related ecosystems in river basins, in order to strengthen synergies and policy coherence between water, agriculture, energy and land management sectors.

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The assessment of these interdependencies is even more relevant in transboundary basins, where identifying intersectoral synergies and mutually beneficial solutions can help reducing trade-offs and potential conflicts, not only across sectors, but also across borders, and support the decision-making process to enhance sustainability. Recognizing this, the Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) have included in the Work Programme 2013-2015 an assessment of the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus in selected transboundary basins and established the Task Force on the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystem Nexus to overview and guide its preparation. The developed methodology was piloted on the Alazani/Ganikh Basin, with an intersectoral basin workshop as the key step (Kachreti, 25-27 November 2013). The current draft assessment (available upon request) has been circulated for comments to the Ministries, and was discussed in this meeting. The feedback will be taken into account in revising the assessment and in finalizing a summary assessment to be published as part of UNECE’s nexus stock-taking report for the 7th Meeting of the Parties (Budapest, 17-20 November 2015). Representatives of UNECE, ministries, local administration of Alazansky basin, experts, NGOs (total: 19) took part in the meeting.

9. Lesson for rural population in Mongolia

On 1- 4 February 2015 CWP-Mongolia organized the lesson "Water is unusual world" for rural population. About 1500 people from 15 small towns participated. The aim was to improve

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understanding of water safety and security and that a good quality of water is healthy and useful for users. 10. International Symposium “Renewable energy of Mongolia”

On 11 February CWP-Mongolia among other 160 attendees took part in the International Symposium "Renewable energy of Mongolia" aiming to collaboration on water & energy nexus. 11. Steering Committee meeting of Mongolian Water & Sewage Utility Union

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On 21 February 2015 CWP-Mongolia representative took part in the Steering Committee meeting of Mongolian Water & Sewage Utility Union as a SC Member. The meeting considered development of water partnership and possibility for rural water agencies to join to GWP network (total: 12 participants). 12. Seminar by Prof.Kensuke Fukushi On 13 February 2015 the following issues were considered at the Seminar:

Development of Joint Crediting Mechanism;

JCM;

projects for Sustainable Low carbon Development in Asia-Pacific region

lesson on 3E initiative;

Energy, Environment & Ecosystems nexus. Participants discussed cooperation between the Academy of Sciences and CWP-Mongolia as well they highlighted water problem in Mongolia and need to develop the water and energy projects (total: 15 participants).

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13. The Mongolian National TV interview "Water & technology"

On 28 February 2015, Prof. Basandorj appeared on television. He presented the drinking and wastewater technology. 14. The meeting on consideration of Strategy on development of land reclamation and irrigation in the Republic of Tajikistan This meeting organized by the Agency on land reclamation and irrigation at the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and supported by EU was held on 4 February 2015. The aim was to discuss the draft strategy on development of land reclamation and irrigation in the Republic of Tajikistan prepared by the working group. Representatives of international organizations, government, science, public organizations and various stakeholders took part in discussion to develop the final version of the Strategy. CWP-Tajikistan jointly with the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan presented their vision of the Strategy.

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15. The meeting of CWP-Tajikistan partners The CWP-Tajikistan partners meeting was held on 21 February 2015. The following issues were considered: results of CWP-Tajikistan activity in 2014; further activity; GWP CACENA Regional Plan for 2015; the work plan of CWP-Tajikistan for 2015; consideration of applications of new potential partners of GWP. Representatives of governmental organization, NGOs, scientific and educational organizations as well as various stakeholders and CWP-Tajikistn partners (total: 30) took part in the meeting. Prof. Pulatov Ya.E., CWP-Tajikistan Chairman, called on participants to be more active and fruitful in 2015 when the world water public will celebrate the results of the International Decade 2005-2015 "Water for Life". Participants noted that the main issues are assessment of existing situation and defining the main priorities of water sector of Tajikistan, improving of water potential and IWRM knowledge.

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16. The Conference of Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan The Conference devoted to activity for 2014 and the urgent tasks for 2015 of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan and its deputies was held on 12 February 2015 in Tashkent at the Legislative Assembly Oliy Mazhlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. At the Conference the Awarding Ceremony of journalists - winners of the Republican Competition "Water is Life" announced by CWP-Uzbekistan was held too. More than 157 people from various organizations took part in this event.

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Mr. Boriy Alikhanov, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Oliy Mazhlis of Uzbekistan and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan, noted a positive role of CP-Uzbekistan in developing the water legislation. Partners of CWP-Uzbekistan proposed ways to strengthen the legislation base, taking into account new technologies in water resources management and use. They also proposed to provide benefits for water users implementing the water saving technologies, as well as to control water use and to implement a water accounting mechanism in the Republic. Those proposals of CWP-Uzbekistan partners were approved and included to the Work Plan for 2015 of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan. At the end of the Conference the Awarding Ceremony for journalists was held. The Conference was covered in mass media.

Mr. Abduraimov M.F., CWP-Uzbekistan Chairman, presents a prize to Ms. Shulepina Natalia, journalist.

Mr. Abduraimov M.F., CWP-Uzbekistan Chairman, presents a prize to Mr. Avalibaev Ikrom, journalist

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CHINA

2015

FEBURARY

1. The 2015 Working Conference and the Sub-regional Consultation Meeting of GWP China were

organized on February 9 and 10, 2015 in Beijing.

The representatives of the

Regional Partnership Secretariat

and the Secretariats at

provincial/river basin water

partnership level participated in

the Working Conference on the

first day. The meeting was

chaired by Mr. Rugang Zheng,

Secretary General and

Coordinator of GWP China

Region. Firstly, Prof. Xiaotao

Cheng, Deputy Coordinator of GWP China Region, introduced the outcomes of implementing the

2014 activities of GWP China Region. Mr. Zheng then released the work plan of 2015 at the regional

level, and the representatives of provincial/river basin water partnership secretariats presented their

plans and activities in 2015. The implementation of "Water, Climate and Development Programme"

was discussed, regarding its current progress, planned activities, budget and expected outcomes in

2015. At the meeting, representatives of the Secretariats exchanged ideas and discussed the issues

encountered in the work. They also made some recommendations to the future development

strategy at both regional and provincial levels. The Regional Secretariat requested the

provincial/river basin water partnerships to better implement the activities planned this year and it

was also highlighted to strengthen the capacity building of the secretariats of the provincial/river

basin water partnerships and continue the better operation of the partnerships’ network at local

level.

Following the Working Conference, the GWP China Sub-regional consultation meeting was held on

the second day. It was chaired by Prof. Hao Wang, Acting Chair of GWP China Region and Prof.

Yunzhong Jiang, Deputy Coordinator of GWP China Region. The meeting convened part of council

members, and invited technical professionals, the staff of GWP China Region Secretariat and the

representatives of GWP China Provincial/River Basin Water Partnerships.

Reviewing the Sub-regional progress guidelines, a list of questions was sent prior to the meeting,

allowing the participants to come prepared. At the meeting, the themes under the framework

including“Water and Cities”、“Water and Green Growth”、“Water and Food Security”、

“Climate Change and DDR”and “IWRM” were discussed based on the realities of China. The

participants also delivered their constructive comments upon the discussion results. GWP China

Region planned to contribute case studies under each theme.

41

It also developed a framework draft for the activities to be conducted. The case study's development

and related activities would be carried out in close coordination with the thematic leaders and the

event coordinators of GWPO. GWP China Regional Secretariat was planned to engage in direct

communications with each thematic leader and GWPO for better participation and contribution to

the sub-regional side events in Korea.

2. Participating the proposed workshop of the IWRM under the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF)

As the session coordinator of the IWRM in Asia-Pacific region as session group 5 appointed by the

Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) and Korea Water Forum (KWF), the Network of Asian River Basin

Organizations (NARBO) organized the proposed workshop on February 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The GWP China was invited to the workshop as we have committed to contribute to the session

group 5 regarding the IWRM at the APWF meeting in the WWF 7 taken place in April in Korea.

Prof. Xiaotao Cheng, Deputy Coordinator of GWP China, attended the workshop in Bangkok and

delivered a presentation of the IWRM application in China. His speech was appreciated by the

participants and raised the interest of the organizer too, especially changing policy from postpartum

management to preliminary

review and Chinese new policies

of water management released in

2011.

This activity would support the

further preparation process of the

WWF 7 under the theme of IWRM

and GWP China planned to

contribute more related

information to the NARBO for a

better presentation of Chinese

experience in this April at the

WWF 7.

3. Participating in the Workshop organized by the Institute of Yellow River Hydraulic Research

On February 11, 2015, the Institute of Yellow River Hydraulic Research organized a workshop in

Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

Prof. Xiaotao Cheng, Deputy Coordinator of GWP China was invited to deliver a presentation

regarding "The City flood control and flood resources utilization". His speech analyzed the cases of

Beijing, Ji'nan, Guangzhou, Yuyao, Nagoya, Manila, Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur from 2000 to

now, introducing the enormous pressure and challenges of city flood risk owing to the rapid

urbanization and explaining the realistic predicament of city flood prevention with a suggestion of

42

having more planned activities to be taken in the future in this regard. The Institute of Yellow River

Hydraulic Research is an important working partner of the GWP China Yellow River and more

contribution is expected from this institute in carrying out the planned activities of GWP China and

GWP China Yellow River in the future.

EASTERN AFRICA

GWPEA, AMCOW and Partners Validated the Synthetized

Paper on Water for Food Security and Energy in Africa

GWPEA, AMCOW and partners hold one day meeting in Addis Abeba,

Ethiopia to review and validate the paper on Water for Food Security and

Energy in Africa to be presented by AMCOW during the 7th World Water

Forum in Korea in April 2015.

The African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) was chosen by the World

Water Council to coordinate the Regional Process for the Africa region for

the upcoming 7thWorld Water Forum, scheduled for the 12-17 April 2015,

Daegu-Gyeongbuk, KOREA. This was in recognition of AMCOW’s successful

coordination of the last 6th World Water Forum in Marseille, France.

Since February 2014, AMCOW consulted and sensitized especially its

member Ministers of Water and Sanitation in Africa; the Regional Economic

Communities (RECs) that are expected to play the roles of the Sub-regional

Coordinators; key international partner organizations that worked with

AMCOW in the coordination of the 6thWWF Africa Process; and funding

organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB).

In Eastern Africa region, GWPEA was selected to coordinate consultations

in the region/countries and prepared a sub-regional report highlighting facts

and figures focusing on water-food-energy-nexus. The report was

presented and discussed in Nairobi, Kenya on January 30, 2015.

43

The Addis Ababa meeting reviewed the final paper compiled from all sub-

regional reports and validated it. The paper will present the African position

on the issue of water for food security and energy in Africa.

GWPEA Hosted the 15th

ANBO General Assembly

From 12-13 February 2015,

GWP Eastern Africa hosted the

15th General Assembly of the

African Network of Basin

Organizations in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia. Participants included

government officials,

representatives of international and regional organizations such as GIZ,

UNDP/GEF, EU, NEPAD, OMVS, CICOS, NBI, AMCOW, UNESCO, etc….The

Assembly was officially opened by H.E Alemayehu Tegunu, Ethiopian

Minister for Water and Energy.

The Assembly examined and validated ANBO Ten-Year Strategy and its

Five-Year Action Plan. It also adopted the following key resolutions:

1. The immediate implementation of ANBO strategy and action plan

2. The authorization to give power to the coordination bureau to

disseminate ANBO strategy at large scale to enhance its visibility

and conduct initiatives in order to mobilize financing

3. Use OMVS financial and

accounting procedures

until the ANBO one is adopted so as to manage funds resulting from

membership

4. Develop financial and accounting procedures manual for ANBO to

be adopted at the next GA

5. Acknowledge the creation of Mono River Authority

6. Send regular reminders to ANBO members regarding their

contributions

7. Finalize development of the “ANBO project document” for

submission to UNDP/GEF for final approval

Figure 1: Group photo of participants

44

8. Take note of and support the participation of ANBO in the

elaboration of the “ H2020 project document” presented by NEPAD

Center of Excellence

9. Differ the decisions on Articles 8, 10 and 11 of the ANBO statutes to

the next General Assembly that will take place during the last

quarter of 2016.

10. The General Assembly approves the integration of new

members:

OSS: Observatoire du Sahel et du Sahara

ABAKIR : Lake Kivu and Ruzizi River Basin Authority

With the adoption of the new strategy, ANBO is well equipped to fulfill its

mission for the next 10 years to support the African Basin Organization in

developing their capacity to play a leading role in sustainable regional

economic development through promoting cooperative water investment

and management and enhancing cooperation and exchange of experiences

among its members.

GWPEA Participated in GHACOF 39 and Presented IDMP-

HoA Program

The Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) region has been noted by the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as one of the most

vulnerable regions of the world to climate change. In this regard, there is

need for robust climate advisories to help reduce the escalating situation.

To provide climate advisories, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications

Centre (ICPAC) organized the Thirty Ninth Greater Horn of Africa Climate

Outlook Forum (GHACOF 39) in Nairobi, Kenya from 23 to 25 February

2015. GHACOF 39 theme was “Early Warning to cope with Climate

Variability and Change in support of Resilience Building in the Horn

of Africa”..

The main objective of the forum was to develop consensus regional climate

outlook for the March to May 2015 rainfall season and to formulate

45

mitigation strategies to the implications of the consensus regional seasonal

climate outlook on the critical climate sensitive sectors of the region. It also

provided a regional interaction platform for the policy makers, climate

scientists and research scientists as well as users of climate information. In

addition, the forum reviewed lessons / experiences from the use of the

products provided in the previous regional climate outlook forums.

The forum participants included climate scientists from the National

Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), universities, research

institutions and regional and international organizations engaged in climate

modeling, prediction and applications as well as users from various socio-

economic sectors. Regional and international Governmental and Non-

Governmental organizations were also present.

GWPEA IDMP_HoA Project Manager made a presentation entitled

Enhancing Drought Resilience in the Horn of Africa. The presentation

raised interest from participants and many expressed their willingness

to partner with the project:

Participants from Countries e.g. Kenya sought to know more about

the program and how they can participate. These included the

Anglican Development Services Eastern. This organizations work

with communities and can be instrumental in mobilizing local

communities to advance an innovation in support of promoting

drought resilience

There some contacts in Somalia with whom IDMP HOA can

collaborate with i.e. FAO-SWALIM i.e. Somali Water and Land

Information Management- they are monitoring droughts and Floods

in Somalia http://www.faoswalim.org .

UNDP is launching a new project entitled “strengthening the capacity

of IGAD in Building Resilience in the Horn of Africa. The presentation

highlighted key components that IDMP HOA can partner and

implement together. These include capacity building, knowledge

management of disasters/ drought in the Horn of Africa region. The

UNDP project is a $12M project targeting the IGAD member states.

46

The major outcome of the forum was the statement from the Thirty Ninth

Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 39) for March to

May 2015 rainfall season. This information can contribute to disaster risk

reduction and climate change adaptation to enhance the resilience of

communities.

MEDITERRANEAN No report. SOUTHERN AFRICA

Introduction

The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP SA) during the month of February

undertook a number of activities that were aimed at advancing its mission of promoting a

water secure Southern Africa. Among these was the support towards the Capacity

Development Training Workshop 4 and 5 in Zimbabwe. The training programme added value

to trainees by giving them the opportunity to learn issues, network and share ideas with

decision makers and planners. Additionally, the mentees have been able to apply the

application of the material learnt at their work places. GWP SA has continued to prepare for

the upcoming SADC Water Weeks scheduled to take place in 15 of the SADC countries

between the months of March and May 2015. Several meeting and engagements with the

SADC Water Week Local Organising Committees (LOC) have been held in countries. The first

SADC Water Week is scheduled to be held from 11-13 March 2015. In continued support to

pushing for water in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GWP SA has been active in

promoting the campaign through social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter).

47

FEBRUARY 2015 Activities

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TRAINING WORKSHOP 4: MONITORING AND MOVING FORWARD

Workshop participants

On the 7th of February 2015, GWP SA through WACDEP Zimbabwe organised Workshop 4 on

Monitoring and Moving Forward under the WACDEP Capacity Development Programme. The

Programme which is being implemented under Work Package 6 (Capacity Development)

targeted 11 middle level (Planners) and 6 senior managers (Decision Makers) from

government departments who were selected with concurrence from the WACDEP Zimbabwe

Project Management Committee (PMC) to form the capacity development team. Each

planner selected a project that is relevant to their workplace and the project was supervised

by an assigned mentor who became part of the capacity development team. The training

was hands on (on-the-job training) and complemented by five workshops. During the regular

workshops the new approach to climate resilient planning was presented. Participants also

48

had the opportunity to contribute and share their own climate change experiences from

their workplaces.

Workshop 4 which was held at Rainbow Towers, Harare, Zimbabwe provided a platform

where all participants met and shared experiences about applying the Framework, learnt

how to conduct a structured approach on lessons learned, monitoring and evaluation. The

training workshop brought together 16 participants of which 9 were mentees.

Mr Wellington Dzvairo, WACDEP Zimbabwe Program Manager gave the welcome remarks

and he emphasized that the projects that are being undertaken by mentees need to be

completed end of February including the 5th workshop. He further encouraged the mentees

to participate in the discussions that will be raised on the Pan African Forum Network.

Participants highlighted what they had learnt from the previous Workshop 3 and the

following are the key issues that came up:

Project structuring/ designing low regret projects/ developing bankable project proposals;

Need for a conducive environment to attract investments;

Alternative sources for projects funding;

Proper planning is important in delivering solutions;

Importance of partnerships;

Power generation from the excursion to Nyamhingura Mini Hyro Power Generation Plant;

Self-sustainability or improved local adaptive capacity at the Banana Plantation visited.

Participants reflections on the programme pointed to the programme helping them in their

work related activities and contributing the knowledge learned here in other forums they

participate in. Generally, the mentor and mentee partnership helped in formulating good

projects.

49

Training proceedings

Mentees then gave a presentation on the progress of their projects and they were all

encouraged to send through their projects so as to assess the progress of their studies by

Friday the 13th of February 2015.

A presentation on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) was given by one of the trainers, Dr

Simon Madyiwa. He highlighted the importance of M&E and emphasized the need to

formulate objectives that are specific; measurable; attainable; realistic and time bound

(SMART). To elaborate on the presentation given, Dr Madyiwa, a trainer gave an overview of

data collection methods. Participants were given an assignment to undertake, the two

groups had to choose two of the participants’ projects as cases to work on and they had to

address the following;

Each group had to design some of the steps in the M&E system in detail,

Development and formulation of measurable outcomes (2-3 from each project).

Formulation of indicators for the chosen outcomes and choice of data collection models

Feasibility and cost efficiency of the M&E system developed?

50

The meeting agreed that all draft projects proposals would be handed in on Friday the 13th of February 2015.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TRAINING WORKSHOP 5: WRAP UP AND LESSONS LEARNED

Workshop participants

The Capacity Development Programme that started in 2014 was concluded in Zimbabwe

during Workshop 5: Wrap up and Lessons Learned held from 18th -20th February, 2015 at

Cresta Lodge, Harare. The workshop was attended by decision makers and planners

representing the following Ministries; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, Water

and Climate (MEWC), Ministry of Local Governance and Rural Development, Ministry of

Agriculture and Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlements. The workshop was aimed at

developing the ability of participating planners to monitor and evaluate progress and lessons

51

learned from applying the Framework approach and to provide feedback for future

applications and also for decision makers to learn about the Framework, climate resilient

planning and how they can apply it.

In giving the welcome remarks, Mr Dzvairo, WACDEP Zimbabwe Country Programme Manager

welcomed everyone to the last training session of the Capacity Development Programme. He

highlighted that WACDEP is being done in the MEWC and works towards supporting the

Ministry to come up with water and climate programmes. There after all participants

introduced themselves.

Dr Makurira, National Training Coordinator in his introductory remarks noted that the analysis

of climate change indicators in Zimbabwe proved that the WACDEP programme is relevant.

He also highlighted that there is a decrease in rainfall in the entire country and considering

the country’s economy is rain dependant therefore this has potential of destabilising the

economy. Temperature is also on the rise therefore it was felt there was a need to take

seriously the global debate on climate change. He noted that delivery of capacity building is

the main focus of the capacity development programme. However, he noted how they had

failed to achieve gender balance in the implementation of the programme.

Prof Nhapi, mentor, then gave a summary of what was discussed in the previous 4 workshops

that had been held successfully. He noted that a water secure world is what we want however

much is needed to achieve a water secure world e.g. peace, stability, openness, popular

participation, research, capacity building, innovative thinking, infrastructure development. To

achieve water security an appropriate process is needed that is an integrated approach to

water resources management. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) should be

looked at in a holistic approach in order to identify the problems and the actors in order to

identify the solutions. He further noted that water is a unifying force in the drive towards

climate resilient development and enhanced wellbeing.

52

Training proceedings

On the second day, Dr Madyiwa, mentor, started the session with looking at the applicability

of the Framework within the Zimbabwe context and also looking at how our policies meet the

application of this policy? It was noted during a plenary discussion that the Zimbabwe Agenda

for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation’s (ZIMASSET) emphasis is on coordination and

any investment to be undertaken should be in the plans of existing structures. At the lower

levels there is more and better coordination than at higher levels. When budgeting for

programmes everyone involved for the implementation of the programme should be there to

ensure coordination. However, it was noted there was a need for improvement in this area.

Also the laws do not contradict but they complement each other but at times the

administrations of the laws are the ones that pose challenges in the implementation of

programmes. Additionally, it was noted that there is a gap in the realignment of the Acts as

they fail to look at the other overlaps (e.g. at the other Acts).

Thereafter, Dr Mutambara, mentor gave an exercise to be undertaken by the participants

looking at who does what in line with the Framework, identifying the main stakeholders in the

water sector and what they do. Additionally looking at functions – missing function,

overlapping functions and where there is a need for improvement.

53

Participants were then given the platform to share their studies with the Decision Makers

highlighting the problem they study sought to address and the results that emerged. The

general comments that the mentees were encouraged to factor in their projects before the

final submission were to highlight the aspects of the Framework their work was focusing on

and also highlight the correlation of the study with climate change. Mentees were reminded

that the final submission of their projects should be the 23rd of February 2015.

On the third day, Dr Mutambara gave an exercise where participants had to identify lessons

that had been learnt from undertaking the programme and the following was identified.

Understanding the problem- making a strong case for climate change e.g. linking with

higher national initiatives, such as the National Climate Change Response Strategy

(NCCRS) and learning how to design a project proposal.

Identify and Appraise Options- various appraisal methods e.g. cost benefit analysis

Deliver Solutions- choosing the best solution which is the no/low regret action and

developing financial and investment strategies e.g. linking predicted increase in

droughts to investment strategies.

Monitor and Move Forward- importance of baseline survey.

Overall participants provided feedback on the value addition of the Programme. It was noted

that;

the excursions provided the practical applications of the issues learnt;

the programme gave them the opportunity to network and share ideas between

decision makers and planners;

the programme allowed for the application of the material learnt at work places;

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) CAMPAIGN

GWP SA has continued to support and contribute to continued discussions on the role of water

in the SDGs. This has been done through continuous updates on Facebook and Twitter on the

importance for pushing for a water goal in the SDGs. Other Regional Network’s posts on

pushing for water in the SDGs have been reposted, shared and retweeted to generate more

buzz around the campaign. Additionally, in promoting the campaign at country level, during

the WACDEP Capacity Building Training Workshop 5 in Zimbabwe, Decision Makers who

attended the training were informed about the campaign and the role they can play in

encouraging Zimbabwean leaders to take Action in supporting a global water goal.

54

SOUTH AMERICA

No report.

SOUTH ASIA

Part 1: GWP SAS Regional Office

1.1 Ms Priyanka Dissanyake represented GWP SAS at the “Third Pole Meeting” which was

held on 5 and 6 February in Thimpu, Bhutan organised by International Centre for Integrated

Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The meeting was inaugurated by the President of Iceland,

two Princesses and the Prime Minister of Bhutan. Experts from thirteen countries have

discussed how the Himalayan Third Pole Circle as a body could facilitate combating climate

change in the Himalayan Region. The importance of involving the policy makers and public in

combatting climate change in the Himalayan Region was also discussed at the meeting.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan highlighted ten reasons why the Himalayan Region is

important, while Mr Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland enlightened the

participants on Arctic Circle. He said the specific role of the circle was to bring all the regions

together.

The Director General of ICIMOD, Dr David Molden, said that there is a misconception among

the public about glaciers and ice, and its impacts on water bodies and there is a need to

discuss this further. Dr Ugyen Tshwang, Secretary of the National Environment Commission

addressing the meeting said that Bhutan has contributed to mitigate climate change by

declaring the country to remain carbon neutral and by maintaining 60 per cent of forest

cover. He further invited international organisations and governments to support the

country to carry on the efforts.

Some of the key roles identified at the meeting for Himalayan Third Pole Circle are; ensure

the accessibility to available scientific data, promote three-dimensional information sharing

across borders and sectors, build regional trust and engage policy makers as allies rather

than simply audience.

1.2 Ms Priyanka Dissanayake participated for a workshop on IWRM in the Asia-Pacific Region

held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18 February 2015. The workshop was organised by Network of

Asian River Basin Organisations (NARBO) as the leading agency for IWRM at the 7th World

Water Forum (WWF). The purpose of the workshop is to identify the on-going and

innovative activities in the Asia-Pacific Region on IWRM and develop a draft report on IWRM

55

including key messages for Asia-Pacific region for the 7th WWF. Representatives from

NARBO, Japan water Agency, GWP China, GWP Central Asia, GWP SEA, International Water

Association (IWA), a youth representative from Thailand Water Resources Association,

University of Chang Mai and few other organisations in Thailand participated for the

workshop.

The recommendations made at the Sub-Regional Consultation meeting held in October 2014

in Colombo along with the recommendations made at Post 2015 Development National

Consultations (by BWP, GWP Nepal/JVS, PWP and SLWP in 2014) were presented by Ms

Dissanayake.

It was decided that, the case studies that needs to be submitted to NARBO should contribute

to IWRM directions for post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for South Asia.

With further recommendations from India, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan and refined

inputs from other four countries the report will be submitted to NARBO by 6 March.

Part 2: Bangladesh Water Partnership (BWP)

Core activity report

1.1 The 48th Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of BWP

The 48th Executive Committee (EC) Meeting and the first meeting for the year 2015 was held

on 15 February. The meeting was chaired by the President, BWP. Seven out of 19 Executive

Committee Members were present at the meeting (Photo 1).

The main agenda was to inform the participant the activities implemented in 2014 and

planed activities for 2015.

The following were the main agenda of the meeting.

Status of implementation of Work Plan 2014 under core funding

Work Plan 2015 under Core Funding

Implementation of WACREP Phase I - Work Plan 2014

WACREP Phase II - Work Plan 2015

Discussion on SDG Campaign linked with WWD 2015

Implementation plan of APAN activities

Dr K. Azharul Haq, Vice President of BWP informed the EC that BWP was assigned and

carried out all the 13 activities under core work plan 2014 on time. For 2015 BWP is planning

56

to implement 11 activities under core funding. He further shared information on six

implemented activities under WACREP phase-1 and planned activities for phase-II (2015).

Discussion on SDG campaign: Dr Haq mentioned that to crystallize the support for a

dedicated water goal in SDGs, it is important and also BWP expressed its interest to have

consultation meetings with GWPO, Ministry of foreign Affairs and other key ministries

dealing with water. He also informed the committee about the plan to link the SDG

campaign with World Water Day 2015.

Implementation plan of APAN: Dr Haq informed the committee that GWP SAS requested

CWPs to give inputs for APAN technical paper and policy brief for year 2014 deliverables. In

response to this, he communicated with the Regional Coordinator and requested her to

release funds immediately for programme implementation and awaiting for the response.

The committee suggested Mr Tauhidul Anwar Khan to develop input for the two

deliverables.

The EC members expressed their satisfaction on the progress on the above.

1.2 Audit: Financial Accounts of BWP for 2014

BWP received the Audit Report for 2014 from the audit firm “Mohammed Quddus and

Company” and has submitted to the GWP SAS Regional Office.

Part 3: India Water Partnership (IWP)

Core activity report

1.1 Review of State Water Polices of Goa and Tamil Nadu by IWP in line with National Water Policy 2012 (NWP 2012) in the context of climate change During 2014, the IWP completed the review of State Water Policies of Bihar and Gujarat in

line with NWP 2012 in the context of climate change with the support of one of its network

partner Institute for Resource Management and Economic Development (IRMED). In line

with the recommendations given by IWP, both State Governments are going to revise their

water policies in context of climate change based on the state level consultations held in

both the States.

Similarly IWP is planning to review the State Water Policy of Goa and Tamil Nadu as part of

its Work Plan for 2015.

57

Review of State Water Policies of the rest of the states to select another two States, for

intensive reviewing in 2015

In the month of February, IWP with the support of IRMED has collected information on the

current status of state water policies of remaining States. During the review, it was observed

that only 14 states, viz. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya

Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Sikkim, Rajasthan

and Jharkhand have announced their state water policy beginning from 1994 to 2013, while

the states of Delhi, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have adopted the national

water policy.

Meeting with different Departments/Agencies of Government of India for selection of two

States for the review

Discussions were held with central government departments/agencies working on water

resources which usually interact with their state level counterparts to select the two States,

Goa and Tamil Nadu for the review. The Government agencies include Ministry of Water

Resources (Policy and Planning Division), Central Water Commission, Planning Commission

and National Water Development Agency. During the discussions, it emerged that the

following considerations may be kept in view for the selection of the two states.

Tamil Nadu state water policy was announced in 1994 which was the first state in India

which announced a water policy the in the wake of the 1st National Water Policy of 1987. Its

revision is overdue. It is also understood that the state government would be interested in

its revision. Hence, input from this study would have the promise of a good outcome.

Goa’s water policy is also fairly old, announced in 2000. Hence, this state too is understood

to be receptive of the idea of revising its policy. Goa is a state which is highly susceptible to

the effects of global warming associated with climate change because of the dominance of

coastal influence. These two states are situated far from each other and belong to different

agro-climatic zones. Based on the above criteria, the two states via; Tamil Nadu and Goa

have been selected for the study by IWP during 2015.

1.2 Reviewing and Analyzing the State Level Regulatory and Institutional Framework of the States of Kerala, Nagaland and Uttarakhand to operationalise the NWP 2012

In 2014, the IWP reviewed and analysed the State Level Regulatory and Institutional

Framework of the States of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Meghalaya to operationalize the

NWP 2012 with the support of its network partner Indian Environment Law Offices (IELO). As

part of the Work Plan of 2015, IWP with the support of IELO is reviewing and analysing the

State Level Regulatory and Institutional Framework of Kerala, Nagaland and Uttarakhand on

the similar lines.

58

Criteria for selection of States

Nagaland: This state was selected keeping in mind its unique governance on account of Article

371 A of the Constitution of India. Article 371 A is a peculiar “special provision with respect to

the State of Nagaland” only stipulating that no act of Parliament relating to (i) religious or

social practices of the Nagas (ii) Naga customary law and procedure, (iii) administration of civil

and criminal justice involving decision according to Naga customary law (iv) ownership and

transfer of land and its resources is applicable to the State unless approved by State Legislative

Assembly. This assumes significance qua management of water resources in the state. Further,

the state is in the process of drafting its water policy. Another significant enactment is the

Nagaland Communalization of Public Institutions and Services Act 2001 that delegates the

powers and functions of the State Government to the local traditional institutions in matters

connected with the management of local public utilities, public services and the activities of

the State Government connected with water supply, education, roads etc. The interplay of

such enactments to vision articulated in NWP 2012 requires analysis.

Kerala: This state was selected to bring in the southern state perspective in dealing with

various facets of water management and conservation. The State has a Water Policy 2008 with

objectives to: adopt integrated and multi-sectoral approach for planning, development and

management of water resources; consider micro watersheds as the basic unit for the

conservation and optimal utilization of water resources for achieving resources sustainability;

integrate the problems and prospects of water resource systems by considering river basin as

the basic unit; emphasize the importance of comprehensive watershed conservation and

management plan etc. The state has Kerala Water Authority established by Kerala Water

Supply and Sewerage Act 1986 to perform function of planning of the state's water supply and

sewerage requirements, preparation of state plans for water supply and disposal of waste

water. Additionally, state enacted the Kerala Ground Water (Control and Regulation), Act 2002

to regulate abstraction of groundwater, Kerala Paddy and wetland Act 2008 to conserve paddy

land and wetland, Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act

2001 to protect river banks and river beds from large scale dredging of river sand.

Uttarakhand: This state was selected to analyse the water management framework in a hill

context keeping in mind the impact of climate change on water resources in the Himalayan

state. The state enacted The Uttarakhand Water Management and Regulatory Act 2013 that

provides for establishment of a Water Management Regulatory Authority to ensure judicious

and equitable management of water resources in the state as well as its proper allocation and

optimal utilisation. The state is also in the process of enacting a new water policy.

The review for the State of Nagaland initiated in February and will continue in March.

59

1.3 Preparatory Work for Celebrating World Water Day 2015

This year’s World Water Day theme is “Water and Sustainable Development”. IWP started

preparatory work for celebrating the day in following 7 places in the country;

1. Udaipur (Rajasthan) under WACREP Phase-I in association with network partner AFPRO on

22 March;

2. Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) in association with Shivana Area Water Partnership on 22

March;

3. Madurai (Tamil Nadu) under WACREP Phase-I in association with network partner DHAN

Foundation

4. New Delhi on 20 March;

5. Gurgaon (Haryana) in association with Municipal Corporation, Gurgaon on 22 March;

6. Kundli, Sonepat (Haryana) in association with Ashoka University on 17 March; and

7. Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) in association with network partner NEER Foundation on 22 March.

IWP entered into a non-financial strategic partnership with Ashoka University to celebrate

World Water Day at Kundli, Sonepat (Haryana). There will be a panel discussion on “Water,

key to sustainable development”. Mr Rajendra Singh, Magsaysay Awardee and Chairman,

Tarun Bharat Sangh would be the Chief Guest.

For celebrating the World Water Day at New Delhi, IWP is seeking the association with UNDP.

1.4 Participation in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences

(i) 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2015 from 5 to 7 February 2015 at New Delhi

The 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2015 on Sustainable Development Goards and Dealing with Climate Change was organised by TERI from 5 to 7 February at New Delhi. The inaugural address was delivered by His Excellency Mr Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, France and Former Prime Minister, France and President, COP 21. The Ministerial Address was given by Mr Suresh Prabhu, Honourable Minister of Railways, Government of India and Mr Prakash Javadekar, Hon. Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Dr Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary-cum-Country Coordinator, IWP participated in following events of DSDS: Session on “From MDGs to SDGs and addressing climate change”

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Key messages of the session were (i) knowledge sharing and open dialogue are keys to resolve the climate change issues; (ii) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change are mutually supported and interdependent. The world would have to come to terms with the synergy between climate change and SDGs; (iii) climate change cannot be dissociated from the overseas development agenda and both are interdependent on each other; (iv) SDGs cannot be achieved without addressing climate change, that common but differentiated responsibilities need to be taken care of to ensure financial and technical support to vulnerable countries. Special Address by Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Seceretary General, United Nations Mr Ban Ki-Moon in his address said that embracing climate change as well as sustainable development is necessary as they are interconnected and are two sides of the same coin. He also stressed on the fact that governments should provide the framework and private organisations (including think tanks) too must share their ideas to build a more prosperous and resilient world. Session on ”The Agreement that the World Needs at COP 21” This session focused on the urgency of taking action in adapting to the impacts of climate change. Key messages of the session were; (i) India wishes that the agreement in COP21 would propel the world on the path of comprehensive climate action. Careful balance needs to be maintained between adaptation and mitigation; (ii) technology transfer from developed to developing nations is a mechanism to combat climate change; and (iii) it was stated that US states are not just adapting to energy efficiency and clean energy but are also willing to support India in evolving a clean fuel policy. It was highlighted that the US mission is trying to reduce carbon emission by 28 per cent by 2025 and sticking to goal of maintaining temperature rise below 2 degrees.

Session on technologies for communities: improving groundwater management in India in association with UNDP In this session, the panelist shared their experiences and case studies from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan about community involvement in ground water management. The discussion focused on establishment of a global governance system to manage the shared resources which does not fit into one nation boundary. The important message emerged during the deliberation was that ground water governance should be aligned with scientific solutions and ground water science.

(ii) National workshop on scaling-up of climate smart agriculture; potentials and challenges

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Dr Veena Khanduri, Executive Secretary-cum-Country Coordinator, IWP participated in a

National Workshop on “Scaling-up of Climate Smart Agriculture: Potential and Challenges”

organised by one of its network partner; Development Alternatives on 12 February at New

Delhi.

The workshop aimed to discuss the following:

To build a common understanding on the emerging relevance and significance of climate

smart agriculture;

To share the lessons and experiences of climate smart agriculture from the South Asian

region;

To identify effective means of implementation for mainstreaming climate smart agriculture

in policy and planning; and;

To discuss the challenges, potential and opportunities for scaling-up climate smart

agriculture.

(iii) Meeting with UNDP Officials for organising World Water Day 2015 at New Delhi

The Executive Secretary-cum-Country Coordinator, IWP had a meeting with UNDP officials on

26 February in preparation of celebrating World Water Day at New Delhi. In the meeting UNDP

officials informed that the Chief Guest of the event will be Ms Uma Bharti, Honourable

Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of

India. The Regional Director, UNDP and senior officials of UNDP, a representative from

Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, Government of India are among the

other invitees. WWD report will be released, a UN Water Film will be screened and the

Stockholm Water Award will be announced on the day.

It was agreed by the UNDP that they would invite the IWP network partners from Delhi and

the adjoining areas and provide space for display of IWP/GWP documents.

WACREP Activity Report

2.1 Assessment of vulnerability to climate change on water resources, commons,

agriculture system and animal husbandry in Sinhar watershed in Bhinder Block in Udaipur

district of Rajasthan

IWP with the support of Action for Food Production (AFPRO) undertook the following

activities in the month of February 2015:

1. Village level monthly meeting with Core group members

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A total number of six village level meetings were organised in the villages namely; Gajpura,

Beripura, Raila, Khedafala, Kapadion ka Kheda and Dhawadiya with core group members

including cluster core group members and village elders. Purpose of the meetings were to

discuss i) intercultural operation for the rabi crop (weeding and fertilizer requirement for

various crops); ii) participatory irrigation system and numbers of irrigation required for the

crops; iii) harvesting of grass in all the pasturelands; iv) status of physical work of soil and

water conservation in pastureland; and v) scaling-up of homestead vegetable cultivation for

the sale in market.

There were 119 participants (71 males and 48 females) in the meetings.

2. Meeting for Cluster level committee members:

A meeting was organised as ‘cluster level meeting’ with the 18 participants from all

respective project villages held at Bhavyadhara Training centre, Rayla on 27 February.

Objectives of the meeting were to i) share learning and experiences with group members; ii)

discuss the status and their views on total grass production, crop and vegetable productions

etc.; iii) discuss participatory irrigation system and intensity of irrigation required for each

crop; and iv) discuss on Farmers Field School (FFS)- learning, experiences and follow-up on

agriculture, livestock and water.

3. Activities under FFS (Agriculture)

Under FFS (Agriculture), the farmers requested for a wheat variety, which demands less

water and having a short maturity period. In consultation with the experts from local

Agriculture College, AFPRO recommended variety no. 4037 of wheat. Under WACREP,

AFPRO donated 25kg seeds of wheat and 5 kg of gram each to 24 farmers who are the

members of FFS. Simultaneously, data collected on water available in the irrigation wells,

pumping hours, types of crops, irrigated area, capacity of pumps, availability of water etc. for

the vulnerability assessment.

4. Activities under FFS (Water)

1. Renovation of a well which is shared by 5 small and marginal farmers at Chuna

ka wela (Kheda fala) village completed. This would help in irrigating about one ha of

agricultural land. The renovation with the parapet wall enhanced the storage capacity of the

well. The beneficiaries are planning to grow minimum three crop varieties.

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2. A training programme was organised on 22 February at Chuna ka wela village

to enhance the capacity of male and female farmers on water management with collective

efforts, on ground water recharge systems and developing a habit of judicious use of

irrigation. There were 23 participants including 12 women and 11 men. During the training,

different methods of water conservations and groundwater recharge were shared with the

participants.

Activities planned for March 2015

Finalisation of a scientific Report on “Vulnerability Assessment on Water and Water

bodies with Adaptation options” containing information on climate change scenario on

water resources.

Finalisation of a scientific Report on “Vulnerability assessment with providing basket of

adaptation options in the sectors of agriculture, water, animal husbandry and commons”

with an adaptation framework on all the sectors for the region.

Regular village level and cluster level meetings with core group members - review and

further planning for project sustainability, outcomes, experiences and scaling-up the

learning etc.

Linkages with different government departments for sharing the learning of WACREP

Phase-I.

Planning for organising a farmers’ experience sharing workshop - finalising a date and

venue.

Consolidation and documentation of activities/ sub-activities wise outcomes under the

project, that needs to be included in the final project report.

WACREP phase ii report 3.1 Climate resilient development- A case study of Mashi Sub-Basin in Rajasthan

IWP is undertaking this activity with the support of one of its network partner; Centre for

Environment and Development Studies (CEDS) based at Jaipur, Rajasthan. The following

major tasks have been proposed:

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(i) GIS Survey : mapping of land resources, water resources and human resources of the

area;

(ii) Conducting socio-economic survey: data collection on land, livestock, population,

extraction of water, livelihood patterns, etc.

(iii) Adaptation/mitigation strategies: field survey on adaptation strategies for society,

government agencies and for policies, etc.

(iv) Climate change impact analysis: data collection on temperature, rainfall, humidity,

groundwater aquifers, wind velocity, etc.

Satellite data (remote sensing data) for the Mashi Sub-Basin was procured from the Indian

Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hyderabad in February for the GIS survey. Further

developing the socio-economic field survey questionnaire and the secondary data collection

was initiated.

II. Promotion of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in Peri-Urban Settings

(action research to develop innovative IWRM Investments)

IWP with the support of one of its network partner; TARU Leading Edge, New Delhi is

undertaking this activity. The following major sub-activities have been planned:

i) Selection of water stressed area that needs knowledge and technical support in

planning, organising and preparing investment plan to address water and sanitation

needs;

ii) Initiation of an action research in a selected area with the objective to develop

innovative IWRM investment-desk research, reconnaissance visits to the field area

and understanding challenges;

iii) Conducting a workshop based on findings of the action research;

iv) Development of action research framework based on available tools, instruments,

sampling, secondary/primary data collection methods, mapping of stakeholders;

v) Implementation of developed action research framework; and,

vi) Preparation of IWRM plan and the advocacy plan

Literature Review: A literature review to identify current strands of peri-urban research,

especially as they relate to the National Capital Region of Delhi (NCR-Delhi) has been started.

Exploratory field visits were made in many villages of Gurgaon to identify potential sites for

research and key issues that would arise for in-depth investigation and research. The criteria

for visiting these villages were - levels of they are being peri-urban in terms of the extent of

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land use change – with consequent implications for occupational diversification, distance

from the city, period since the land use change had occurred, the nature of governance

structure (Panchayat versus Gurgaon Municipal Corporation) and water stress/quality levels.

Group discussions with critical people such as village headmen and youth leaders were held

to explore the major issues related to changing water use and access, especially in terms of

the implications due to urbanisation.

Part 4: GWP Nepal/ JVS

Core Activities

1.1 Stocktaking report on climate vulnerability on agriculture sector for National

Adaptation Plan (NAP) process

Process of hiring a Consultant to undertake the study is being completed. As per the

contract, consultant will be documenting climate vulnerability on agriculture sector and

assess gaps and needs to support the formulation of NAP process.

1.2 Integrity mapping in Water Sector Projects

The hired Consultant will identify several stages of irrigation development in Nepal and

review and assess integrity in each stages which were identified.

1.3 Media sensitization on water related issues

As per the contract, the hired Consultant will work on sensitising media and raise awareness

on water related issues so that the media personals could deliver the intended messages

effectively.

1.4 A dedicated Water Goal in SDGs

With the aim of putting effort to incorporate water dedicated goal in SDG, GWP Nepal/JVS

conducted a meeting with Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Mahendra Bahadur

Pandey and Vice Chair of Nepal Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Govind Raj Pokhrel (photo 2).

During the meeting with Honourable Minister, Dr Dibya Ratna Kansakar, Executive

Committee Member, GWP Nepal/JVS briefed about the importance of having a dedicated

water goal in SDGs and submitted a letter requesting to support for a dedicated water goal

throughout the Post-2015 Development negotiations taking place at United Nations this

year. Hon. Pandey assured his support to the extent possible. Similarly, during the meeting

with Dr Pokherel, he informed that NPC has started the process of taking inputs from all

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sectors and thanked GWP Nepal/JVS for the timely input. He also requested GWP Nepal/JVS

experts to contribute in the stocktaking process.

1.5 Nepal National Water Week 2015

GWP Nepal/JVS is one of the active partners of the main organising committee of Nepal

Nepal Water Week (NNWW) and supports NNWW both technically and financially. GWP

Nepal/JVS participated in the Stakeholders' Meeting on 3 February, to discuss how the

NNWW can be made more useful/effective. Mr Tejendra G.C, Manager GWP Nepal/JVS

attended the meeting on behalf of the Chair. While presenting the tentative agenda, GWP

Nepal/JVS suggested including some of the activities which are related to having a dedicated

water goal.

Part 5: Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP)

Core Activities

1.1 Audit of PWP for 2014

Audit report 2014 by the PWP auditors M/s. TSC was submitted to GWP SAS in early February via email and by courier service.

WACREP Activities

2.1 WACREP Work Package I (2014): Regional and transboundary cooperation

Draft Report of the third Regional Meeting on Climate Resilience among AIP countries was

prepared and submitted to Dr Pervaiz Amir, Director PWP for his inputs and review. In the

Photo 2: Mr Mahendra Bahadur Pandey. Minister for Foreign Affairs (Centre), (from his left) Mr Surya Nath

Upadhyay, Secretary General, Dr Upendra Gautam, Treasurer, Dr Dibya Ratna Kansakar, EC Member, Mr Tejendra

G C, Manager, GWP Nepal/JVS

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light of comments received from Dr Pervaiz Amir and subsequent review by Mr Sardar M.

Tariq, Executive Director/CEO, PWP, the draft report was recast and resubmitted to the

Executive Director/CEO, PWP on 28 February for finalization/approval. The final draft report

will be shared with all participants of the meeting for their input to make it final and print for

wider circulation in April 2015.

2.2 WACREP-II Activity 4 (PWP): Drought mitigation and management in Indus

and Kharan Basins

Preliminary preparations on-going consulting relevant stakeholders and experts for outline

proposals on drought mitigation and management in Indus and Kharan Basins. The formal

meetings will be held in March and April, for proposal preparation and to strategize resource

mobilisation.

2.3 WACREP-II Activity 5D (PWP): Establish demonstration sites showcasing latest

rainwater harvesting techniques and modern irrigation technologies in Indus Basin,

Cholistan and Tharparkar

After carrying out successful training of farmers on latest rainwater harvesting techniques

and modern irrigation technologies in AWPs, PWP is outlining its activities to establish

demonstration sites to showcase these interventions in the Indus Basin, Cholistan and

Tharparkar.

2.4 WACREP-II Activity 6C (PWP): Organise capacity development workshops in

climate change adaptation and formulation of proposals

Initial preparations are on-going for organising a capacity development workshop on Climate

Change Adaptation (CCA) and proposal formulation. The first such workshop is planned in

Quetta, Balochistan for March or April.

Outcomes

The farmers are being adopting roof water harvesting in their houses for agricultural and

domestic uses, as reported by all AWPs.

Provisions of rainwater harvesting ponds have gained great acceptability in the Tharparkar’s

drought-hit areas as a mean to provide drinking water for communities and their livestock.

The communities are optimally using these ponds and replicating it in many other areas by

their own.

Bio-sand water filters gained high level of acceptability in water scarce areas of Tharparkar

and residents/ communities of other areas from D. I. Khan and Bahawalpur where drinking

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water quality is extremely poor. They have approached PWP requesting to replicate the

same filters in their areas as well.

NEWS

Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Executive Director/CEO, PWP participated in the

Board Meeting of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) on 17 February at

Peshawar, Pakistan.

Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Executive Director/CEO, PWP participated in the

Technical Committee Meeting of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization

(PEDO) on 23 February at Peshawar, Pakistan.

Dr Pervaiz Amir, Director PWP delivered lectures on “community level impacts

of future climate resilience strategies” in Multan and Jamshoro on 16 and 17 February.

Dr Pervaiz Amir, Director, PWP attended in high level meeting on Climate

Change Resilience in Pakistan held at the Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan on

19 February.

C. COMING EVENTS

Monitoring and evaluation of WACREP activities and extension of various

activities in Sindh and Balochistan will be carried out by the PWP team during March.

Tharparkar AWP will be launched in Mithi, Sindh during first week of March.

A dialogue on “journalistic approaches to address climate change and

environmental issues of Tharparkar” will be held in collaboration with the Monthly Frozan,

Green Media Initiatives and Muslims Aid in March.

Dr Pervaiz Amir, Director, PWP is participating in the UN World Conference on

Disaster Risk Reduction being held in Sendai, Japan on 14 to 17 March and will be a panelist

in the Working Session on IWRM on 15 March.

To promote hygiene awareness, PWP will initiate the concept of soap making

technologies amongst community. Training of focal persons to make soap locally (at home)

and further replication of this technology in targeted areas of District Tharparkar will be held

in first week of March 2015.

Part 6: Sri Lanka Water Partnership (SLWP)

Core Activity Report:

1.1 Wetlands Activity. SLWP Senior Advisor Ms Kusum Athukorala was invited to a

programme celebrating International World Wetland Day, celebrated on February 2nd

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annually organised by Ministry of Wild Life Conservation and Central Environment Authority.

This special event was held in the Wilpattu National Park which is also a Ramsar site. The

programme brought agency staff, school children, civil society and community groups

together who are working on wetlands.

1.2 Urban Wetlands. A special event was organised to mark the World Wetland

Day focusing on raising awareness of the wise use of water and wetlands among school

children. This was organised in collaboration with the Wetland Unit of Sri Lanka Land

Reclamation and Development Corporation which took place at the Wetland Center in

Thalawathugoda on 6 February. 40 School children from selected schools participated with

15 other invitees including media and teachers. The event was covered by the media,

including national television serveries ( Rupavahini and Independence Television Network)

and national newspaper-Silumina. A follow up programme is planned for March.

1.3 SLWP Governance. SLWP’s 2nd Programme Committee Meeting in 2015 was

held on 20 February at SLWP Office premises.

1.4 Networking. SLWP Chair Ms Badra Kamaladasa participated in the Disaster

Management Coordination Committee Meeting on 27 February at the Ministry of Disaster

Management, Colombo.

1.5 Reports. A report on Water Disaster Early Warning Systems was submitted as

part of APAN and GWP SAS activity.

1.6 Website. SLWP (Lanka Jalani) new website uploaded which is being modified

based on the comments/observations during trial period.

WACREP Activity Report:

2.1 CCA for Staff- Polonnaruwa

SLWP in collaboration with Irrigation Management Division (IMD) of Ministry of Irrigation

and Agriculture organised a Climate Change Awareness Programme for Project Staff of

Giritale, Minneriya and Kaudulla Major Irrigation Schemes. The one day programme was

held at the conference hall, Hingurakgoda Divisional Secretariat on 27 February. There were

71 participants including 65 officers from the Irrigation, Agriculture, Agrarian Development

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Departments, Coconut Development Board and Project Managers and Development Officers

of Irrigation Management Division (IMD) who are attached to the above projects.

Resource persons were, Consultant Irrigation Agronomist; Chief Engineer, Irrigation Office

Polonnaruwa; Deputy Director Agriculture and a Senior Lecturer from the University of

Rajarata. SLWP was represented by the Country Coordinator whereas IMD by the Acting

Director who is also presently the Additional Director General Irrigation Department and the

Monitoring Officer of IMD. Topics addressed included CC impacts on water resources and

rural livelihoods; CC impacts on irrigation water management, cropping practices to cope

with CC and adoption of new technology as a CCA option. SOUTHEAST ASIA

GWP-SEA February Report Cambodia Water Partnership

Multi Stakeholders’ Dialogueon IWRM, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk

Management

Cambodia is one of the most affected countries in the

world by climate change. It was observed in the last few

years that the extreme climate variety (flood, drought

and storms) and climate change have resulted in severe

negative impacts that affected the local communities,

livelihood, animals and people life, economy and key

sectors such as agricultural, water and infrastructures

including roads irrigation systems.

These negative impacts bring awareness to the 25

participants representatives from line agencies, NGOs

and members of Cambodia Water Partnership to held a

workshop of “Multi Stakeholders dialogue on IWRM, Climate Change adaptation and disaster risk

management” held in Phnom Penh – Cambodia on 29 October 2014.

In this workshop, 4 main topics had been discussed regarding the New strategy for social protection,

Climate change strategic plan 2014-2023, IWRM concepts, risks of climate and natural disaster, and

their impacts to Cambodia’s main sectors and people lives and in the 4-Ps Basin.

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The Cambodian Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change

(NAPA) consists of 39 ‘no-regret’ adaptation projects which focus on

measures that have direct impacts on the livelihoods of local people, in

particular the poorest. Fourteen of the twenty prioritized adaptation

programs in NAPA aimed for reducing risks of climate hazards and

improving crop management.

At the Strategy and policy level, Cambodia

has developed the Cambodia Climate Change

Strategic Plan (CCCSP 2014-2023) and integrated it into the NSDP 2014-

2018 and at the same time, all development sectors response to the climate

change through their Climate Change Sector Strategic Plan (CCSP). In

particular, the Ministry of Women Affairs is very committed to ensure that

women, disability people and children who are the most vulnerable to

climate change impacts are protected and become resilient.

Cambodia strongly promotes the IWRM for water resources development and management

(MOWRAM, 2007). IWRM is a good tool for climate change adaptation in the 4Ps Basin, where

people and natural resources are vulnerable to frequent flood and drought incidence resulted from

climate change impacts and limited capacity in sustainable water resources use and management.

Possible actions to address the climate change issues could be: study of the climate change impacts on

rainfall patterns and flow affectation; develop climate change strategy for the basin, implementation

and enforcement; and

Use of IWRM and other suitable approach to manage the climate change impacts.

Review and Discussion for Updating WRM and Development Financing Status Report with

Regard to Climate Change

Given Cambodia’s relatively poor rural infrastructure,

weak adaptive capacity, and disproportionate

vulnerability of the poor, there is a demonstrated need

to improve climate resilience that requires substantial

investment. Cambodia remains primarily an agrarian

country, the water resources – and consequently

resource users – are highly susceptible to being

affected by increasing climate variability and/or

extreme climate events.

It is obvious that the Royal Government of Cambodia

(RGC) needs to develop a water and climate change

financing framework which will serve as the basis for

mobilizing, effectively managing, monitoring and

accountability for the climate change and water resources related funds.

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The following are key recommendations from discussion with Cambodia National Mekong Committee

(CNMC), Ministry of Environment (MOE), Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology

(MOWRAN), National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Ministry of Agriculture Forestry

and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Planning (MOP), Ministry of Public Works and Transport; and

Ministry of Rural Development on 29 December 2014:

1. In Cambodia, like most developing (and some developed) countries, many vital water resources

management functions – such as catchment management, systems analysis and planning, flood

protection, drought management, research, hydrological and performance monitoring, public

awareness, stakeholder consultation and institutional capacity building – are underfunded and/or

neglected. To enable Cambodia to make smart investments with scarce public finance, it will be

necessary to build on existing expenditures that relate to climate change; and to strengthen existing

business processes so that they better include effectiveness and efficiency analysis related to the

climate change and water resources investment.

2. The financial needs will not be met without major reforms in climate change and water governance.

It is important to underline two major findings from this study that I) the continued under-funding

and neglect is unsustainable in environmental and socioeconomic development terms; and ii) but

the increasing financial flows will make no sense and will not happen unless there is an equally

unprecedented effort to reform the way the entire nation tackles its water and climate change

problem1.

3. When talking about a more holistic approach to water financing, the study is not suggesting that

financial allocations should occur through a major bureaucratic exercise which seeks and inevitably

fails to coordinate everything. Rather, the process must examine:

a) the whole range of essential integrative functions and water and climate adaptation functions

and capacity which require funding;

b) which financial sources could potentially be available for each function and service; attempts to

ensure that the most appropriate source is utilized for each purpose; and

c) Institutional arrangements/reforms needed to increase the financial flows, proper use and

accountable.

4. The financing mechanisms in place and to be designed shall cover all water resources management

and climate change adaptation functions: such as catchment management, systems analysis and

planning, flood protection, drought management, disaster risk reduction, hydrological and climatic

performance monitoring, public awareness, stakeholder consultation and institutional capacity

building for building resilience and sustainability.

5. The Framework should provide information on the estimated costs of the climate change response

for the next 5 and 10 years, analyse potential sources of funding, and make recommendations on the

institutional and financing mechanisms to be put in place for the management of climate change

related investments in Cambodia and integration of these investments into overall development

planning.

6. Development partners' support remains important source of investment and technical cooperation

to strengthen planning and budgeting functions; to support major reforms; and to non-state actors.

7. Due to reduction in ODA and transition to middle income country status, it needs to plan carefully

for that transition. The concessional loan will be here for Cambodia until 2030. In theory, funding

opportunity from various climates related investment funds are available for Cambodia

compete/apply for. The challenge for Cambodia are many including I) limited capacity to write

complicated application and proposals in the formats and languages required by the fund

administrators; ii) limited absorbing capacity to effectively disburse the financial resources; iii) law

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limiting the amount of money that RGC can borrow from the financial institutions2; and IV)

completion for those funds is becoming tougher.

8. There has been an observed increase in local and international direct investment share in the

development framework. A sound policy and regulatory environment is required for private sector

development, increased foreign direct investment, to develop innovative financial mechanisms to

mobilize private finance, public private partnerships, the strengthening of value chains in an

equitable manner and giving particular consideration to national and regional dimensions, and the

scaling up of efforts in support of development goals.3

9. With hundreds of millions of dollar of climate financing, Cambodia faces a growing pressure to

demonstrate that climate finance is well spent. The ability to prove effective governance of the fund

will help government to secure more allocation over longer term.

10. Addressing knowledge transfer and capacity building since it remains challenging due to absorbing

capacity, brain-drainage, and capacity development in fund mobilization, planning, monitoring and

evaluation. It is high time the acute shortage of both physical/financial and human resources,

especially for positive change in professional attitude and discipline (ownership and leadership)

were addressed.

In conclusion, RGC need to link climate finance with Cambodia’s development plans; not creates and-

alone projects, and develop a harmonized reporting, recording and tracking system for climate change

financing flow, and improving transparency and accountability to all stakeholders, and to create an

effective coordination process to manage the complex interactions between multiple actors and

channels, and strengthen and promote financing through sub-national channel.

It is important to work within the national development framework, especially with the budgeting

processes. This will be implemented with the relevant LAs’ annual work planning and budgeting

cyclesfor addressing opportunities and consequences of the integrated water resources management.

First of all, it is important to an active involvement of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the

Council for Development of Cambodia, and the Ministry of Planning, as budgeting depends a lot on

understanding and appreciation of the priorities and significance of the climate changes and key water

functions.

Lao Water Partnership

Consultation on Mainstreaming the IWRM in the Formal Higher Education System in

Lao PDR

2Law on Finance places restriction on borrowing not more than 200 million SDI in 2010 and was

increased to 300 SDI million (1SDI =1.5$) (special drawing right) as agreed by the National

Assembly.

3 The Cambodia Development Forum provides an increased linkage to, and representation of, the private sector

and for the Government to continues to take the lead both in its dialogue with the private sector and in

fostering linkages between ODA and private sector development activity. The Forum also has eight working

group that identify and develop strategic initiatives for supporting companies as well as for fostering a more

conducive business environment.

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The government of Lao PDR is working very constructively to improve the water resources planning

and management system in Lao PDR especially in the formal higher education system.

Through the Lao Water Partnership, Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Director General of Department of

Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment who acts as chairperson of Lao Water

Partnership opened the consultation on mainstreaming the IWRM in the formal higher education system.

He expressed on the important of IWRM progress and application in Laos context for a decade as well

as capacity building on this field. He also addressed the importance of the strengthening the local

capacity in the whole country for IWRM decentralization and human resource development including

emphasizing on integration and mainstreaming IWRM /IRBM approach into education system in each

level.

The consultation meeting participated by 36 representatives (13 females) of the national agencies from

different ministries and National Universities of Laos on 3 December 2014. The National University

showed that the government of Laos aims to establish the Faculty of Water Resources (upgraded from

Department of Water Resources Engineering under the Faculty of Engineering) and develop IWRM

curriculum in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources, MONRE as one priority

development under current strategy of Laos to create human resource on this field.

From this consultation meeting participants aware and agreed of:

- The needs of more experiences on IWRM for the

university by giving examples and request line

agencies and other internal external organizations

to support for effective IWRM curriculum

implementation as well as help to teach students in

some subjects related to IWRM.

- The IWRM curriculum and long term IWRM

educational strategy need to be mapped in the

different matrix based on the real needs and

condition of Laos which should focus more on the

qualified human resource including numbers of

graduates, trainings/short and long-term study,

lecturer strengthening, exchange of real practice

with government and other institution, promote the

IWRM course throughout the educational networks

and public countrywide, improve the teaching materials/text books and water laboratory,

engagement with businesses and other private sector to support and bring back the graduates to

work in the sectors, etc.

- IWRM should be taken into account for all agencies/sectors (not only education) by promoting,

awareness rising for all public society in the country that needs to be further disseminated.

- The IWRM subject will be added into university level as individual subject, for primary or high

school, it will add into Environmental subjects who will educate about IWRM or water

management practices in simple ways.

- The staff of the related water sectors should be upgraded their knowledge and skills on how to

better make use of the IWRM approach as a tool through training course and long-tern study.

- The IWRM concept, principle, tools, and implementation should also refer to international

experiences especially the country that have good experience or successful. This experience

should be outreach and share to all educational institutions and professionals in order to expose

new ideas to further teach the students with bringing their active motivation to study on IWRM.

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- The university should have opportunity to visit and exchange with other country/university that

they have IWRM curriculum – even in the region and/or beyond.

Several action planned was agreed to:

Review experiences on IWRM of international and other countries to exchange more practical

solution and teaching on IWRM.

Seek the fund for study tour on IWRM curriculum development and lessons learned in other

countries.

Consolidate and scale up the IWRM curriculum and teaching materials for the university and some

schools that have suitable condition.

The Department of Water Resources and other line agencies should support the staff and expertise

on IWRM to help National University of Laos and others on teaching/ trainings;

Seek the fund for short and long term study on IWRM for graduate students and lecturers.

National Workshop on Water-Food and Energy Nexus in Lao PDR

Laos is a land-lock country located in central of Indochina that has potential to be transmitting country

with potential geography for development of hydropower dams. The main income of this country

come from electricity sale and the hydropower is only the main energy source in the country, other

source is very limited e.g. lignite, etc.

Agriculture and fishery are also very important for Lao people’s livelihood that 80% of population

relies on agriculture and natural resources. Even though Laos is rich of water resources, but nowadays,

the development is rapidly increasing with decrease of water quality and ecosystem in some areas of

the country.

The water, food, and energy are something that connects each other which water plays a central role in

the nexus, as illustrated by the expressions ‘water

flowing through the veins of the economy. Energy

is currently mainly derived from non-renewable

resources, in particular from fossil fuels.

Renewable energy and cleaner energy sources is

vital as an integral part of the development

process. Food production has grown impressively

over the past decades, in particular in response to

the Green Revolution. However, this implication

and nexus is somehow complicated to understand

by related sectors. This is quite new to all sectors in the country on how to further implement the

concept. But at least this has been understandable on the integration of resources uses in the specific

region/basins.

Lao PDR brought together a representative from Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Energy and

Mine and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in a workshop of Water – Food and Energy Nexus on 8

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December 2014 to have the same understanding of the Nexus. These three main sectors (water, food

and energy) should joint set up of working group in order to work on these three pillars in the same

way and also sharing the data and information for better sector planning development in each single

basin/areas. The joint planning and discussion among this stakeholders group should be more

enhanced and this simple approach may affect to the better nexus implementation and integration in

Laos in the future.

Policy or strategy of one sector should be considered/take into account other policies/strategies. For

example, water strategy should link to energy and food strategies and others. Climate change is also

main factor that impacts to water, food, energy security that we have to consider and find the long-

term solutions for resilience and adaptation. Rising awareness for local people on natural resources

conservation and sustainable development is very important and need to conduct regularly as series.

Promote the projects on sustainable development in the country with participation of all related sectors

especially private sectors and consider the linkage of the nexus of all related sectors. Sector

development and planning integration is vital for Laos to step forward in achieving the sustainable

development goals.

In this workshop, participants agreed to: Review these three sectors’ strategies (water, food, and

energy) and find out the program that linking each other. Set up the working group on water, food, and

energy that there are main members from MONRE, MAF and MEM and other private

sectors/community representatives. Conduct awareness raising activities on natural resources

conservation and sustainable development and seek the project on climate change adaption for water,

food, and energy security.

Workshop on Integrated Flood Management as a tool for IWRM in Lao PDR

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters. The flood in Laos has been occurred

more serious in some basins especially during the wet season months of May to September.

Current measures to mitigate flood impacts for urban environments no longer provide optimal solutions

from the previous planned flood risk intervals. Most of the water and sanitation management in the cities

are fragmented and do not take into account all components of water fabric, resulting in the

interconnection of storm water and sewer networks, the lack of insufficient domestic sewage treatment,

an increase in floods on the urban drainage, losses

in the water distribution systems, solids in the

drainage, erosion and occupation of risky areas of

flood plain and hillsides, limited garbage

collection and education, among others. In Lao

PDR communities often and still live in poor

drained areas causing pollution and a wide range

of health problems.

In this workshop, participants discussed not only

the issues of flood but also the appropriate

solutions for flood management in the context of

Lao PDR by mapping the prevention and

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mechanism strategy and need prioritization to be considered and further adaptation. These are the

solution based on the mapping strategy:

Increasing of knowledge and considerable mechanism for better cooperation, prevention and

mitigation is critically needed in Lao PDR through training course, long and short term study,

exchange visit, etc.

Dissemination of the knowledge on flood impacts and mitigation as well as water resources and

climate change strategies to all stakeholders in the Lao society is necessarily crucial – including

donors, international organizations, financial institutions and others who are interested in supporting

integrated flood management and scaling up for climate change adaption and mitigation.

The assignment of good and competent staff to carry out extension work for local communities,

implementation of integrated water resources management in accordance with the government

policy. The decentralization is necessary and one of the important factors for the flood management

in the nationwide.

The detailed instructions for implementation of the water resources law and other related laws and

regulations should be effectively enforced.

The basin/sub-basin management plan should including flooding issues as one priority program.

Create the safety zone for people in risk and fluent flooding areas.

Develop and install reliable early warning system in risk areas.

Set up the community working group or volunteer for flood prevention and mitigation and

observation.

Build the check-dams and small storage reservoirs in the rivers stretch to collect water body and

reduce the flood.

Regularly cleaning the drainages

Try to protect/conserve the wetland area to contain the water and reduce flood.

Downscaling climate and hydrological models to a basin level, ensuring greater access to climate

and hydrological data.

Integrating climate change measures into current risk management strategies and planning

processes, etc.

In addition, this workshop was a good chance to build partnership among water and flood management

stakeholders with better understanding and coordination among each other as well as increased more

active cooperation in the future.

Consultation on Youth Empowerment and Integration for IWRM Implementation in

Lao PDR

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The capacity needs for youth on IWRM in Lao

PDR is strongly needed to advocate the

knowledge and skills which they can further

support and disseminate among their specific

groups in the schools, universities and

communities. Youth has more creative ideas and

lots of activities related to environmental

protection as well as some of water protection –

water saving campaign, etc.

On 5th December 2014, Lao Water Partnership,

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,

National University of Laos, Lao’s Youth and

Women’s Union discussed the idea to involve

youth in IWRM Implementation in Lao PDR.

There is youth’s union inside each organizational structure of Lao government which is official entity.

This is a very good opportunity to promote or integrate IWRM with youth activities in each institution

across the country. However, youth activities cover many fields (not only water). It is necessary to

enhance capacity and raise awareness on water resources management for youth.

The awareness raising activities for youth should include publications to disseminate information

about IWRM, World Water Day, Seminar/Workshop, which can integrate with other youth activities

e.g. Blood Donor Action Movement, canal cleaning, marathon walking, etc. The Youth Declaration

and discussion should be organised and disseminated widely. This will shape the views of the youth

on potential participation in IWRM strategy implementation in the future. For instance the Mekong

Youth Declaration and other event declaration. Youth network is potential to be the bridge on water

management of each level.

The youth representative is very eager and willing to join the IWRM implementation activities. This

effort can be made through further event and project design on youth and water management in Lao

PDR as a showcase in some areas.

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WEST AFRICA

Monthly Report West Africa- February 2015

1. GWP to collaborate with CILSS on Sahel Irrigation Initiative

GWP West Africa took part in the fourth (4th) meeting of the Sahel Irrigation Initiative

Programme (SIIP) which is Worlb Bank funded initiative supported by the Permanent Inter-

State committee to fight Drought in the Sahel (CILSS). The meeting took place on 3 to 5

February 2015 in Dakar, Senegal. GWP is a member of the task force and the topics for

discussion of this 4th meeting were important for GWP’s participation.

GWP WAF is particularly interested that the thematic era « Water resources and irrigation

management » of the the project document takes into account all major challenges including

ground water resources that will be used and impacted by the project. GWP-WAF wants also

to get Country Water Partnerships (CWP) included in national comities that will be set up in

the countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad) by the project.

Many issues were raised during the meeting and participants were informed of the evolutions

in the initiatives. The feedbacks raised among others the fact that the environmental impact

issue should be taken into account in all thematic areas.

2. Support to CWP Senegal

The Executive Secretary during his stay in Dakar met with the new chair of the Senegal CWP,

Mr. Antoine Diokel THIAW and cangratulated him for his designation as chair. They had

discussions on the future actions of the CWP. The Steering and Scientific Committees are yet

to be established and an invitation will be sent to partners for a meeting to establish these bodies.

Project templates will be developed in order to link with on going initiatives in the country and

allow the CWP’s functioning.

These initiatives include the review of the IWRM intermediate programme, a coalition that

involves Enda/CWP/IDEV/Mayors of municipalities to study the issue of water management

on the Thiès area.

The CWP Website has been activitated but there is a problem for its updating since there are

no resources to recruit an executive secretary.

3. Mekrou project : validation workshop held in Niamey

A validation workshop was held on 19 and 20 February 2015 in Niamey, Niger for the

validation of three studies carried out in December 2014. The first one was on the national

consultation on the objectives and methodology of the Mekrou project, the second one on the

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institutional participatory diagnosis and the third one on the assessment of existing capacities

and the needs for capacity building for knowlegde management organizations in the country.

The official ceremony was presided by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Hydraulics and

Sanitation, Mr. ATTAHIROU KARBO who said that GWP was one of the main promotor of

IWRM in the countries of West Africa. He welcome these studies that are being carried out at

the time Niger is developing its IWRM Plan.

The Chair of theCWP Niger, Prof. Bouréima OUSMANE reminded of the responsibility of the

CWP in the implementation of the Mekrou Project in the country besides other national actors.

The Mekrou Project Manager, M. Corneille AHOUANSOU said the same studies were carried

out in the other two countries (Burkina and Benin) where the project is implemented in the

Mekrou basin.

4. Mekrou Project is studying the impact on the W Park

A study is being carried by the Country Water Partnership of Benin to collect ecnomic data on

the visitors of the W Park that covers part of the Mekrou Basin. The assessment is initiated by

the Joint Research Center (JCR) with the support of GWP West Africa.

5. Mekrou ongoing studies

Studies are now underway in Benin and Burkina Faso the current use of water resources and

definition of the portion of the territory in each country. The same study will review the existing

IWRM plans and the strategies and policies for green growth and the management of drought

and flood, energy in the basin. In each country consultant firms are recruited and the activity is

being monitored by the CWPs and the PM Team. Niger has registered some delay that is being

followed to speed up.

6. Strengthening partnership with regional organizations

The Executive Secretary, Dam MOGBANTE and the Mekrou Project Manager, Corneille

AHOUANSOU met the Executive Secretary of the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey. The

meeting aimed at get the NBA to record the Mekrou Project in the agenda of their Ministerial

Council to be held at the end of the year for the signature of the Framework and mechanism for

cooperation. The NBA ES showed readiness to collaborate with GWP-WAF on various

initiatives.

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The GWP WAF team met also

the interim director General of

AGRHYMET, Mr. M’BASS

Ibrahim and Mr. Abdou ALI

following the Mekrou project

for AGHRYMET. After the

workshop held in Cotonou in

November 2014, AGHRYMET

was requested to coordinate the

scientific and technical data

collection in the farem of the

project. TORs were developed

and sent to the institution and

discussions showed that a team

will be set up soon to carry out the activities.

The Executive Secretary and Mekrou Project manager met finally Mr. Firmin Hilaire

DONGOBADA, the country director of the NGO Eau Vive serving as Host Institution for the

CWP Niger and his accountant, Mr. Ibrahim KOBEY. The meeting allowed to explain more

the GWP procedures and the responsibilities of the host institution in the financial management

of the CWP fundings. As a member of the CWP, Eau Vive thought it was a dury for them to

provide assistance when required and needed by the CWP.

7. GWP booth at the national forum on water and sanitation in Burkina Faso

GWP West Africa and the Country Water Partnership (CWP) of Burkina Faso animated a booth

during the first forum on water and sanitation in Ouagadougou from 12 to 14 February 2015.

The event took place around the topic : "permanent access for all to water and sanitation by

2030: Strategies, concrete solutions and commitments of relevant parties". The official

ceremony was presided by the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, Sanitation and Food

Security of Burkina Faso. Many communications and discussions were done during the three

days in addition to an exhibition for water sector organizations.

GWP’s took a booth where documentation from the network was exhibited. The booth recorded

tens of visitors who took away the documentation and gave time to exchange with the booth

animators who were the staff of the Country Water Partnership of Burkina.

Meeting the NBA Executive Secretary

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8. Promising débuts for IDMP WAF

The IDMP WAF has launched a consultation to recruit national experts in the project countries

(Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) to review drought management ongoing initiatives in each

country.

The IDMP Project officer met also a delegation from the Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI) to

discuss area of collaboration mainly on the possiblity of carrying out the identification of

microproject for demonstration in Burkina Faso. DHI is already working on inundation and

drought management tools in the Volta Basin and the collaboration could build on this intiative.

9. ECOWAS to launch water Observatory

GWP WAF took part in ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Center’s launching

workshop of the project for the establishment of the regional water observatory of ECOWAS.

This project aims to contribute to the improvement of the performance of the water sector

through the operationalization of the Centre for Water and strengthening the capacity of actors.

The occasion was also seized for information on the ADB funding procedures. GWP / WA

could be a partner in the implementation of certain project actions. GWP WAF was represented

by Ms Félicité Chabi-Gonni Epse VODOUNHESSI, IDMP WAF Project Manager.

10. Ghana: 4th and 5th Capacity Building Training held

The Ghana Country Water Partnership (CWP-Ghana) has organised the fourth and fifth

Modules of the Capacity Development programme under WACDEP. The training sessions

were held at Erata Hotel and Water Resources Commission (WRC), respectively in Accra from

16th to 19th February, 2015. The themes were “Monitoring and Moving Forwards” for the 4th

Module and “Wrapping Up and Lessons Learned” for the 5th Module.

The programme saw the Decision makers and Planners coming together to look at issues of

Climate Change and Water Security based on the knowledge they have gained throughout the

period of the training.

The 5 decision makers met on the 1st and 3rd days at the WRC Conference room. They made

presentations on the third day towards aligning the training to their duties in the respective

institutions.

The planners had their first training session on the 2nd day at the Erata Hotel. Both planners

and Decision makers came together on the 4th day at the same hotel. The planners made

presentations on their projects and afforded opportunity to Decision makers to comment for

improvement, where necessary. Some of the presentations were concept notes yet to be carried

out while others gave a progress report on what they had done so far.

Participants interacted with the trainers and NTC to come out with various strategies to facilitate

the post workshop monitoring exercise. The trainers encouraged participants to be active in the

online platform to be set up for all participants of the Capacity Development Programme. They

also encouraged the trainees to ensure that the impact of the knowledge gained through the

workshops would be felt in the delivery of their respective tasks at their institutions.

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11. Ghana: Validation workshop of Socio-Economic and Environmental Analysis and

Logical framework of WACDEP’s field demonstration project held

In collaboration with the White Volta Basin

Office of the Water Resources Commission

(WRC), the Ghana Country Water Partnership

(CWP-Ghana) has carried out the validation

workshop for the report of the study on “Socio

economic and environmental analysis and Logical

framework development of field interventions for

building community resilience in the White Volta

River Basin”. The program took place at the

conference room of the Ghana Health Service In-

service Training Center at Bolgatanga on the 24th February, 2015.

Participants unanimously validated the document as the true reflection of issues within their

catchment areas. They however suggested that the necessary corrections identified should be

incorporated to reflect its holistic view and buy-in. Participants commended CWP-

Ghana/WACDEP for an effective study and committed their support to ensuring the success of

the project.

12. Ghana: 6th Technical Working Group meeting held

The Project Management Unit of WACDEP organised

the 6th Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on

12th February, 2015. The meeting was held at the

conference room of the Water Resources Commission

under the chairmanship of Nii Boi Ayibotele. In

attendance were 18 participants of the institutional

members including the Ministry of Water Resources,

Works and Housing (MWRWH) and the AMCOW representative for Ghana, Ministry of

Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Ghana Irrigation Development Agency

(GIDA), Water Resources Commission (WRC), Community Water and Sanitation Agency

(CWSA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), ProNet-Ghana, Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and National Development Planning

Commission (NDPC), as well as WACDEP secretariat. The agenda for the meeting included i)

review and approval of the draft 2014 Annual Report ii) review and acceptance of the 2015

Annual Work Plan, iii) discussion on the way forward for the field demonstration project and

iv) discussion of hosting of the upcoming 7th WACDEP Coordination meeting.

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13. GWP contributes to 2IE IWRM training

The international Institute for Water Engineering and Environment (2IE) in collaboration with

DHI organized a training session on Integrated Water Resources Management and

Environment. The training took place from 9 to 20 February 2015 in Ouagadougou for

participants from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. As it has become an habit GWP West Africa

was asked to make a communication on its activities and knowledge products to the

participants.

GWP’s communication was made by Sidi COULIBALY, the communications manager who

introduced the network to the participants most of whom already know about GWP. He

elaborated on various initiatives ongoing in the region and insisted on the collaboration of

partners and resources persons to provide case studies for the TOOLBOX.

The GWP #watergoal campaign was exposed with the explanations on the possibility of joining

the action. Some documentation was given away to participants of this training.

14. The ECOWAS water experts meet in Lomé

The ninth (9th) session of the IWRM Experts Comity of the Economic Commission of West

African States (ECOWAS) was held in Lomé, Togo on 19 and 20 February 2015. The meeting

was called to exchange on the evolution of IWRM in the region and review the

ECOWAS/WRCC work plan for 2015.

The meeting made reflections on the progress made in the region and the post 2015 agenda for

the region. The Chair of GWP West Africa, Prof. Abel AFOUDA called upon the ECOWAS

experts to made ground and join the GWP #Watergoal campaign. He reminded the experts of

the necessity for Africa to bear the African Common Position document adopted by the Heads

of State on 31 January 2014.