Monthly Report of the GWP Executive Secretary

January 2009

Contents 1. Executive Secretary Summary 2. Activities in existing regions

Caribbean Central Africa Central Asia and Caucasus Central and Eastern Europe Central America China Eastern Africa Mediterranean South America South Asia South East Asia Southern Africa West Africa

3. Alliances

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1. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SUMMARY Global Water Partnership in Africa Reinforces Relationship with African Ministers’ Council on Water -- GWP & AMCOW to work together to improve water management in Africa -- GWP appointed Chief Rapporteur for Africa Regional Day at WWF5 February 5, 2009 – Leaders from the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) met to address concrete water and climate change issues on the continent, and to build on the growing collaboration between the two organisations. The theme of the 3rd General Assembly of the Global Water Partnership in West Africa (GWP WA) was “Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in West Africa: Adaptation Strategies in a Context of Proven Climate Change,” and the delegates met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 27-28 January. “We wanted to draw attention to a phenomenon that is hitting this part of Africa hard, said Mr. Dam Mogbante, GWP WA’s Regional Coordinator. “The meeting clearly stated how necessary it is to change the way we manage our water resources if we are to adapt to climate change and variability.” The African Development Bank (AfDB) decided to build on the GWP WA General Assembly by organising at the same time in Abidjan the Preparatory Process for Africa’s participation in the 5th World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in March. GWP Chair Dr. Letitia A Obeng highlighted the importance of moving water up national agendas because water issues are important to “all aspects of development [and to] the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals.” Read more: http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/090205_WA_Assembly.pdf Davos Addresses Water Crunch and Credit Crunch GWP Patron and former Chair Margaret Catley-Carlson attended the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos last week. She participated in discussions addressing sustained economic growth, human security and political stability over the next two decades depending on how water is managed. Read the full article here: http://www.euractiv.com/en/environment/world-heading-water-bankruptcy/article-179196 The Davos report is available here: http://www.european-waternews.com/download/WaterInitiativeFutureWaterNeeds.pdf New Executive Secretary for the Global Water Partnership Dr. Ania Grobicki has been appointed as the Global Water Partnership’s Executive Secretary. Ania Grobicki is currently the Head of the Secretariat for the multi-stakeholder forum on strengthening research for health, development and equity worldwide which was established to prepare for the 2008 Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health. “On behalf of the Steering Committee and the Partnership I would like to welcome Ania to the Global Water Partnership family. We look forward to working with Ania as she

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leads the implementation of the GWP Strategy 2009-2013, Chair Letitia A Obeng said in the annoucment. Read the news release from the 12th of December on the GWP website: http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/081216_New_GWP_ES.pdf Global Water Partnership Launches New Global Strategy − Pushing Water Higher up the Development Agenda The Global Water Partnership (GWP) announces its new global strategy, one that focuses on the achievement of four major goals during the period 2009-2013. "Recognizing the new challenges, GWP has developed a new intervention strategy," said GWP Patron HRH The Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander. “The strategy is the result of a full year of consultations, including two network-wide meetings in 2008. The strategy truly represents the aims of the GWP network,” Acting Executive Secretary Martin Walshe said. “Comments were received from around the globe, including from staff and the donor community. We are grateful to everyone who contributed.” Read the news release from the 27th of January here: http://www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/GWP_Strategy_2009-2013_News_release.pdf GWP continues to be active in World Water Forum Ministerial Process Following on from the preparatory meeting in Geneva (see Monthly Report of November 2008, http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP?iNodeID=233&iFromNodeID=102) Acting Executive Secretary Martin Walshe attended the 3rd Preparatory Meeting for the Ministerial Process of the 5th World Water Forum on 21-23 January in Rome. The Ministerial Process of the 5th World Water Forum, culminating in a Ministerial Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey, is a process convened by the host country of the 5th WWF through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GWP has a role as part of the NGO major group. The Preparatory Meeting concentrated on negotiating the content of the Minsiterial Declaration and the Chairpersons Paper on Water which will be associated with the Ministerial Declaration. Presentation to DFID Climate Change Team 12 December Roberto Lenton, Mike Muller and Claudia Sadoff of TEC met with and discussed climate change adaptation issues with the DFID Climate Change Team and with members of the DFID Water Team. Letitia A Obeng and Martin Walshe supported the TEC team in the meetings, which were well received and informative. GWP Technical Committee Technical Committee Meeting in London, 11 & 12 December 2009 A “Mini-TEC” Meeting was held in London in December, kindly hosted by the London School of Economics and past TEC Member Judith Rees. Chaired by Roberto Lenton, the meeting was attended by all 9 TEC Members. Martin Walshe, Acting Executive Secretary, also participated and our Chair, Dr Letitia A Obeng, was able to participate in the final day

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of the meeting. The Agenda covered a review of 2009 TEC Work Plan: an update on the work of the UN-Water Working Group on monitoring and indicators for water resource management, in which Mike Muller of TEC is a member; a discussion on forthcoming TEC work on transboundary water cooperation, which will be led by TEC Member Dr Patricia Wouters; a review of GWP TEC work on IWRM and climate change adaptation which is being led by Roberto Lenton, Mike Muller and Claudia Sadoff; finalisation of the TEC Background Paper (led by TEC Member Akissa Bahri) on “Integrated Management of Waste and Water Resources: Closing the Water and Nutrients Loops in the Urban and Rural Interface” which will be published in time for the Istanbul World Water Forum. Discussion topics also included: food security, in the context of water and energy; production of a GWP-wide “Revisiting IWRM” paper, which will address the Partnership’s current understanding of IWRM; joint effort with UNDP and UNESCO Center for Water Law, Policy and Science to explore the human rights based approach to the sustainable management of water resources (a follow-up meeting took place in late January at UNESCO’s Center for Water Law, Policy and Science in Dundee, Scotland). A discussion was also held to consider the options for the future organisation of the technical functions in GWP in the light of the new Strategy. A consultant has been engaged to provide inputs to this process to enable the management of GWPO as well as the GWP Networks to discuss and reach their own conclusions on the best way ahead, for endorsement by the GWP Steering Committee in May. These issues will be advanced at a full TEC meeting, which will include regional and secretariat representatives in Istanbul directly preceding the Forum on 12-14 March. A call for nominations for new TEC members, as well as a new TEC Chair will soon also be issued. TEC Chair Roberto Lenton, and TEC members Hartmut Bruehl, Yang Xiaoliu, and Simi Kamal will all finish their terms in July 2009. The following TEC publications are currently in press, soon to be available in printed format and on the GWP website: Investing in infrastructure: The value of an IWRM approach The popular perception of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has focused on its management aspects and overlooked its application to water resources development. IWRM is an approach that considers both ‘hard’ (infrastructure) and ‘soft’ (institutional) investments together. Neither hard nor soft is effective alone. Triggering change in water policies This brief is intended to provide practical guidance to those involved in the critical process of social change and learning.

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Managing the Other Side of the Water Cycle Focuses on the management of the whole water/waste cycle at the city level within an integrated approach, outlining what it will take to put into practice a sustainable approach to water supply, sanitation and reuse. Better Water Resources Management – Greater Resilience Today, More Effective Adaptation Tomorrow A perspective paper on climate change and water resources management contributed to the 5th World Water Forum. GWP IWRM ToolBox 1. Development, revision and upload of new case studies to the web site: #344 (transboundary Nile Basin) #334 (Senegal) #340 (Zambia) #341 (Slovakia) # 346 (Tisza basin) # 347 (Spain) 2. Four additional cases are in progress: Netherlands, ElSalvador, China, Kazakhstan, Malawi 3. Five new references uploaded to the web site (additional 4 in progress) 4. Completion of NeWater project - summary reports (3Q, 4Q and annual financial report), NeWater links have been uploaded to the website, processing record templates for all deliverables. 5. Work with DHI and TEC on revision of texts in tools and references for the production of an offline CD of the ToolBox website.

Website Visitors December 2008 www.gwpforum.org www.gwptoolbox.org Daily avg visits Monthly totals Daily avg visits Monthly totals 777 24,091 206 6,398

Website Visitors January 2009 www.gwpforum.org www.gwptoolbox.org Daily avg visits Monthly totals Daily avg visits Monthly totals 824 25,546 242 7,531

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2. ACTIVITIES IN EXISTING REGIONS CARIBBEAN CENTRAL AFRICA Meetings at the CICOS Secretariat

The Network Officer for West and Central Africa, the Chair and Coordinator of GWP-CAfTAC had working sessions on the 8th and 9th of December 2008 at the Secretariat of the International Commission for the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin (CICOS). In attendance were some experts from the Secretariat and the meetings were presided over by the Secretary General of CICOS. In 2004, GWP-CAfTAC was created. In 2005, it signed an MOU with CICOS and some activities of common interest to both parties were identified for implementation. Then, CICOS’ main objective was to manage navigation aspects in the Congo basin. The objective has now changed and an integrated approach to the management of the Congo Basin has been introduced. On the part of GWP-CAfTAC, this structure was transformed into a Regional Water Partnership on the 29th of November 2009. The new structure, with different organs, calls for new challenges. There were thus two main objectives for the meetings at the Secretariat of CICOS:

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1. To review the MOU signed in 2005 in line with the new objectives of both structures 2. To propose new line of actions for joint implementation and coherence.

Review of MOU The MOU was reviewed in line with changes within each structure. There was the identification of mutual support in the implementation of each party’s activity at regional and international level. The facilitation of GWP – Central Africa (GWP-CAf) in identifying capacity building needs of CICOS in IWRM and how these needs can be met was also noted. Identified short to medium term actions Visibility of both parties

Participation at international meetings on water issues Carry out case studies for contribution into the ToolBox. Two study areas were identified: the

institutional evolution of CICOS and IWRM at trans-boundary level in Central Africa Make use of different communication channels (documentation centres, web sites, etc.) to

promote developments within each party Technical assistance

Assist CICOS in the examination of the methodology for the elaboration of the Strategic Action Plan for the Congo Basin and the final document. CICOS could also request specific support from GWP where necessary. The expertise of the Technical Committee of GWP and the Reference Group for the Programme for African Waters Development (PAWD) could be solicited

Assist in the putting in place and development of dialogue platforms for stakeholders in the water sector

Assist, whenever the need arises in the mobilisation of a cross-section of stakeholders in the water sector, especially through created Country Water Partnerships (CWP). A collaboration mechanism shall be established between these CWPs and the CICOS focal points that is being created in countries

Capacity building Develop an equal understanding of an IWRM approach to water resources management

within each organ of CICOS Make available and disseminate didactic materials related to IWRM.

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Meeting with the Country Team of GWP-Congo

The meeting took place on the 11th of December 2008 at the meeting room of the Secretariat General in charge of water. From GWP-CAfTAC were the Chair and the Coordinator and from GWP-Congo were the Director in charge of water, the IWRM focal point, a media agent and a representative of a potential Host Institution. The objectives of the meeting were as follows:

Examination of progress made since the launching of GWP-Congo Examination of the 2009 work plan of GWP-Congo Discussions on the ToolBox

The Chair of GWP-CAfTAC started by sharing the purpose and the outcome of the meeting with CICOS. The IWRM focal point for Congo then gave a run down of progress made since the launch of GWP-Congo on May 29th 2008 as follows:

The Steering Committee met and nominated the Chair of GWP-Congo (the Director General in the ministry in charge of Water)

The statute has been amended following recommendations made during the launch of the CWP

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A 2009 work plan was drawn and presented at the occasion of the launching of GWP – Central Africa (GWP-CAf)

Three potential Host Institutions were identified. The Country Team recommended the “Action de Sécour d’Urgence et de Developpement Humain (Asudh)” with headquarters in Stockholm as the future Host Institution. This NGO’s activities are in the domain of Forestry, humanitarian issues, sports, agronomy and water

The selection process of a permanent Secretary in the Country Water Partnership was engaged

A proposed MOU with the government has been elaborated More partners have been identified and have joined the GWP network. The Minister had

advised a nation-wide coverage in the identification of partners A request for material and financial support has been made to the Ministry in Charge of

water, the EU, etc. in this light, the Ministry in charge of water has earmarked about 150 million FCFA to support the implementation of the GWP-Congo 2009 work plan.

The team from the GWP-CAfTAC Secretariat appreciated the level of engagement of the Country Team and the progress made so far. Below are recommendations/conclusions that were made:

The 2009 work plan should be reviewed in line with the four strategic goals of GWP for 2009 – 2013

The 2009 reviewed work plan and the adopted statute should be attached to requests for assistance addressed to development partners

The logo for the CWP and email addresses of contact persons of GWP-Congo needs to be harmonised accordingly

A checklist for the choice of Host Institutions should be made available to GWP-Congo and a proposed agreement should be submitted to GWP-CAf by the end of January 2009

Water-related documents from the Ministry in charge of water and Asudh should be made available to GWP-CAf

GWP-Congo should first of all be consolidated before branches are created in other parts of the country

GWP-Congo should identify cases that could be supported by the budget of the toolbox A Permanent Secretary should only be recruited if his/her salary can be guaranteed.

CENTRAL AMERICA

On 4th and 5th of December the VI Central American Legislators Conferences on Water Resources was held in Antigua, Guatemala. Congressmen, legal advisors and representatives from civil society of each country

Participants of the VI Central American Legislators Conferences on Water Resources

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actively participated in an event organized by GWP Central America, GWP Guatemala and the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, with the support of Alianza por el Agua and WWF Central America. During the event the legislator agreed to impel in their countries the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigation Uses of International Watercourses.

On January 13, a session of the Steering Committee of GWP Honduras was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in order to follow-up the 2009 Working Plan, and know the advances of the case studies that are being developed, and that could be proposed for the ToolBox.

In the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, on January 16, GWP Costa Rica, jointly with the Integrated Environmental Management Program of the University of Costa Rica (ProGAI/UCR) and the Juridical Office of the Law Faculty of the UCR, held training on water resources and environmental themes, to judges and attorneys from the Justice Tribunals of the Juridical Branch of Costa Rica. Information illiteracy of the themes and terms discussed was identified, and the interest to receive trainings and guidance was made known by the participants.

The learning review team, formed by Hartmut Brülh, TEC members, Santiago Ruiz, chair of GWP Argentina and Ana María Majano, consultant, visited Central America from January 18 to the 24, in order to review the work that has been done by GWP in the region, meet and communicate with members and external actors. The Team had the opportunity to go to Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica, were meetings with the CWPs were held. The draft of the report will be presented to GWP in the following week.

Members of the Steering Committee of GWP Honduras

From left to right: Santiago Ruiz, chair of GWP Argentina, Ana Maria Majano, Consultant, Hartmut Brülh, TEC member and

Gabriela Grau, Network Officer.

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The Steering Committee of GWP Central America met in San Jose, Costa Rica, the 22nd and 23rd of January. During the meeting the regional chair position was handed

over to Salvador Montenegro, chair of GWP Nicaragua. Some of the main themes discussed were the reports from the CWPs, from the Regional Secretariat, the importance of the neutrality in the GWP network, the rotation of the regional office and the future events.

The press releases sent by GWPO regarding the nomination of Dr. Ania Grobicki as

executive secretary of GWP, and the launch of the global strategy, were translated into Spanish and distributed among members, journalists, external actors and published in GWP Central America Web Site. In the website of RRASCA, a regional drink water and sanitation network, was published the information, and also in the electronic bulletin of the National Federation of Drink Water and Sewerage Workers of Peru (FENTAP) and in Genesis, a monthly environmental news paper of Panama. During January the Regional Strategic Plan was published and located in the website http://www.gwpcentroamerica.org/?art=1015 . The document was the result of the contributions of members and staff of GWP Central America that worked in the document during 2007 and 2008.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE GWP CEE Chair Liviu Nicolae Popescu and Coordinator Milan Matuska participated in 11th Ordinary Meeting of the International Commission for the protection of the Danube River (ICPDR).GWP CEE has an observer status to the ICPDR. During discussions about the Danube River Basin Management Plan, the observers conveyed support to public consultation of the Danube River Basin Management Plan final draft and Joint Programme of Measures on the regional and possible y on the national levels. In this respect, GWP CEE may count on previous cooperation during Danube Conference in 2006 and media events in frame of Joint Danube Survey in 2007/2008.

From left to right: Roberto Galán, chair of GWP Panama, Enrique Merlos, chair of GWP El

Salvador and Salvador Montenegro, Chair of GWP Nicaragua and GWP Central America

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Regional Chair, Liviu Nicolae Popescu, participated in the 4th meeting of European Regional Coordination Committee for 5th World Water Forum on 13 January 2009 in Brussels. Goal of the meeting was to analyse European Regional Document, to inform on status of its preparation and finally to agree on the next steps in the process in order to have the document finalized in good time for its discussions with the stakeholders and civil societies. The authors of main chapters presented the final draft version of chapters, which are now subject to discussions and comments to be finalized by 30 of January. In February, the European Regional Document will be posted on the European Water Partners and 5th World Water Forum websites for public consultation. The other forms of Europe presentation during the WWF were discussed and agreed like the sessions content during the Europe Day on 17 March, the European Pavilion, potential invitees etc. GWP CEE succeeded to include a number of examples from CEE Region into different chapters on the following issues:

1. Basin management and transboundary cooperation 2. Climate Change and Adaptation 3. Water Scarcity and Droughts 4. Sanitation 5. Water Science and Technologies 6. Future of Water: Water Vision for Europe 7. Handbook on basin-based IWRM” to be prepared by GWP and INBO

European Water Partners will prepare an Executive Summary to the European Regional Document (approximately 6 pages) which could be then translated in national languages. Regional Coordinator, Milan Matuska and Public Participation Task Force leader, Monika Jetzin, participated in the Central Eastern Europe regional workshop on the Water Vision for Europe, which took place on 26 January 2009 in Vienna, Austria. Goal of the workshop was to identify region-specific priorities for sustainable water management in Central Eastern Europe, to analyse the missing or overlapping actions and to identify main obstacles to the implementation of the Water Vision for Europe goals. The workshop had a strong interactive focus and CEE participants provided the feedback to the European Regional Document and the Water Vision and helped the finalisation of the European document. The participants came from different government agencies, water suppliers, organizations and partnerships with a mandate for providing national/regional statements and inputs. CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS During December 2008 – January 2009 the all CWPs conducted their coordination meetings with involvement of all accredited partners – to elect new CWP’s coordinators and to nominate two delegates from each country for participation in the 5th WWF in Istanbul. Regional Secretariat was busy with registration and other logistic formalities for CACENA delegation to the forum.

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The GWP CACENA proved its key role as regional coordinator for more efficient involvement and preparations for World Water Forum 5 (in cooperation with ICWC) and for APWF activities (in cooperation with IFAS). Regional Coordinator of the GWP CACENA Vadim Sokolov took participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Synthesis Meeting for the 5th World Water Forum, which was held in Tokyo, Japan on December 15-16. There was submitted Central Asia and Southern Caucasus Sub-Regional Perspective Document, which will be a part of the APWF document for 5th WWF. On January 15-16, 2009 in Singapore there was held meeting of working team for preparation Asia Water Development Outlook 2010. The meeting was attended by team members from the following development organizations and regional water knowledge hubs: the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), GWP CACENA, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), International Water Centre (IWC), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), PUB Singapore, and UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP). The meeting's objectives were to adopt: (i) the conceptual framework for improving water security to guide AWDO 2010 preparation; (ii) responsibilities and tasks in the AWDO 2010 team and compile a work plan for 2009; (iii) implementation arrangements, cost estimate and financing plan for AWDO 2010 team; and (iv) a working definition of water security (in the form of a vision statement), and explore initial ideas for indicators for the key dimensions of water security in the conceptual framework. For more information, please, visit updated web-site of the GWP CACENA: www.gwpcacena.net CHINA GWP China Highlight in December of 2008 1. December 15 to 17, preparations of the Asia-Pacific Regional Synthesis Meeting for the 5th World Water Forum took place in Tokyo, Japan with delegates from over 20 organizations of UN agencies and Asian-Pacific areas. On the invitation of the host, Dr. Jiang Yunzhong, Communication Officer of GWP China; Ms. Zhang Daidi, Secretary to GWP China and Ms. Peng Jing, Member of GWP China TEC attended the meeting. At the meeting, the participants reviewed the preparatory progress for the Asia-Pacific Regional Synthesis Meeting in next March and then revised the Asia-Pacific Regional Perspective Report 2009 preceded to discussion. 2. December 30, the annual summing-up meeting of GWP China Secretariat was held with all Secretariat staff present to: 1. Review achievements and lessons learned in 2008 2. Make arrangements for implementation of the 2009 Work Plan .

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GWP China Highlight in January of 2009 1. On January 6, 2009, the first council meeting of GWP China Shaanxi partnership

took place in Shaanxi province. Mr. Wei Chengshou, vice chair of GWP China Shaanxi, presented Shaanxi partnership’s annual report in 2008 and work plan of 2009 at the meeting. The participants vigorously conducted deep discussion about his presentation.

2. The annual working conference of 2008 on water issues at country level was held by the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) of PRC. Mr. Chen Lei, Minister of the MWR, delivered the annual work report on the Ministry at the meeting. His report dressed the “High-level Roundtable Meeting on Water and Sanitation of China” which was sponsored by GWP China with support of MWR as one of its highlights through the Ministry’s scientific-tech and international cooperation with other organization in the past year.

EASTERN AFRICA December 2008 Capacity building for positive media reporting on IWRM in Burundi

GWP Eastern Africa in collaboration with the African Network for Environmental Journalists (ANEJ) and the African Network for Water and Sanitation organized a regional capacity building media trip to Burundi. The objective was to explore opportunities for supporting the IWRM planning process through the media in Burundi. Some of Journalists on Lake Cohohe, Burundi

The trip covered different agro-ecological systems of Burundi and journalists noted that the civil war has had devastating impacts on the way of life of the people of Burundi and consequently the environment. Forests have been used as arena for war and sometimes burnt down by warring factions, national have turned wetlands into gardens and consequently Burundi’s river network washes down a lot of silt to the lakes. There are signs of climate change as locals complained about low crop production. There is a lot of pollution of the lakes from silt, domestic and industrial waste which creates an imbalance in aquatic life. Outputs So far 7 stories based on the trip have feature in key print media in the region and 8 newsbytes

have appeared on television and 3 feature stories have been aired for local audiences in Burundi A 30 minutes video clip on the environmental status of Burundi, with emphasis on water

resources management is being prepared. A network of local journalists has been established in Burundi with a view to support IWRM

Planning Process in Burundi.

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Outcomes It is anticipated that this will stimulate public debate on water resources management in the region and in Burundi in particular. January 2009 Harmonisation of IWRM & WE Plan and Catchment Management Strategy On the 23rd January 2009, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Kenya, to pave ways for the implementation of the IWRM plan. It is unfortunate that the IWRM & WE Plan has been sitting unused, yet it should be used to help Kenya out of its current water resources crisis. The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Vice Chair and Secretary for the Kenya Water Partnership, the Director Water Resources, Regional Coordinator GWP EnA, Regional Progeamme Manager GWP EnA, and a representative from the Water Resources Management Authority of Kenya. From the meeting, there was consensus that the IWRM Plan needs to dovetail Catchment Management Strategies and Sub-Catchment Management Plans that had not been factored into the IWRM and WE Plan. There is a proposal to revise and integrate these into the IWRM & WE Plan. The meeting agreed to hire a consultant to harmonize the IWRM & WE Plan with the Catchment Management strategies and Sub-Catchment Management Plans. Th Ministry of Water and Irrigation also agreed to activate the KWP offices, by seconding an officer to be in charge (borrowing from the example of Eritrea) Uganda NGOs set up IWRM working group The Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET) held a meeting of NGOs to formulate an IWRM working group to guide CSOs on their role in implementation of IWRM in Uganda. A five-member Working Group was charged with the responsibility to create awareness for IWRM and design a strategy and work plan for positive policy advocacy and research that will see the realisation IWRM in Uganda GWP Eastern Africa together with the Uganda Water Partnership pledged to collaborate with the group on matters of mutual interest which include:

Capacity building - IWRM Toolbox Training opportunities - available through IWRM-Net Fundraising opportunities - through the Uganda Water Partnership Matching partners' needs and partners' resources.

The Uganda Water Partnership also used the meeting to recruit partners. Over 17 application forms for accreditation were picked by interested NGOs.

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Next steps:

The IWRM working group to develop a strategy and work plan for involving NGOs in the implementation of IWRM

The Working Group will undertake initiative to source for funding for activities in the work plan.

The Uganda Water Partnership to explore ways of collaborating with this Working Group Global Water Partnership to avail copies of the IWRM ToolBox to the UWASNET.

Production of calendars Calendars offer 365 of publicity and help to communicate key messages to the public through out the year. GWP Eastern Africa has developed, designed and printed 2009 Calendars for distribution among key partners in the 7 countries within the region. The theme of the calendar is: Supporting countries in the sustainable management of their water resources and the key messages are: Water resources management should be based on hydrological boundaries Land and water resources management must ensure that vital ecosystems are maintained. The way that water resources are managed affects women and men differently. A good water policy and law should ensure sustainable use of the resource. Increasing allocation of water for agriculture enhances the contribution of food production to

health, poverty reduction and gender equity. The worst effects of climate change can be avoided when action starts now. Increased financing for IWRM is key to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Expected outcome: Increased visibility of GWP Eastern Africa in the region Increased understanding of the need for improved water resources management in the region MEDITERRANEAN SOUTH AMERICA SOUTH ASIA Bangladesh Water Partnership =>Bangladesh Water Partnership held a Workshop on Strengthening Bangladesh Water Utility Network (BAWUN) on 24 Dec, 2008. 25 Water Utilities including city corporations and municipalities from all over the country responsible for water and sanitation services in the urban areas attended the workshop. The Workshop was chaired by Mr. T A Khan, Secretary General, BWP. Ms. Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership made a presentation on the objectives and outcomes of the workshop and Dr. Kh. Azharul Haq, the coordinator for this programme made a presentation of SAWUN activities under ADB and GWP.

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The World Bank had a presentation on their concrete initiatives also where they have developed some indicators to monitor performance improvement of water utilities. The Steering Committee Members of SAWAUN from Bangladesh Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan, Superintending Engineer & Deputy Project Director, DWASA-ADB Assisted Water Supply Sector Development Project and Mr. Abdul Hannan, Executive Engineer, Khulna WASA also attended the Workshop. This is the first time a large number of water utilities were brought in the same platform to discuss the performance of water utilities. The water utilities urged for frequent meeting of water utility networks to improve water utility performances and build closer linkage and update communication among the utilities. New 15 members joined water utility network in Bangladesh called BAWUN and advised that they more will join. =>A Regional Synthesis Workshop on Flood Disasters Management in the Ganges and Brahmmaputra River basins. was held in Dhaka from January 3-4, 2009 organised by Bangladesh Water Partnership and Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS). Mr. Mohammad Ayub Miah, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources attended the Inaugural Session of the Workshop as the Chief Guest and it was chaired by Mr. Md. Shahidul Hassan, Current President, Bangladesh Water Partnership. The three country studies under the Regional Programme in Bangladesh, India and Nepal and the draft regional framework for Cooperative Flood Management in two basins were discussed in the workshop. India, Nepal, Bangladesh, SriLanka and Pakistan attended the meeting. All relevant water and disaster related organizations from Bangladesh namely Bangladesh Water Development Board, Local Government Engineering Department, Disaster Management Bureau, representative of SAARC Disaster Management Center, Disaster Preparedness Center, Institute of Water Modeling, CEGIS, WARPO and donor representatives from Asian Development Bank, World Bank, UNDP and representative from ICIMOD, Nepal; India Water Partnership, University of Rununa from SriLanka and Pakistan Water Partnership attended the workshop. The country studies identified the institutional gaps (including technical know how and human resources) , needs and requirements in three countries for cooperative flood disaster management within the country and outside the country. The Regional Synthesis Meeting on Regional Flood Programme arrived at a consensus on the Common Regional Framework to be followed to manage flood disasters in the Ganges and the Brahmmaputra river basins. Agreement was also reached on the framework activities to be followed up in the countries. It also felt by the countries on the need of formulating a regional vision for flood disasters management and organisng a donor meeting to share the outcomes. The World Bank expressed that Abu Dhabi Knowledge Forum, ICIMOD and BWP should jointly work together to make the framework into really to solve the flood disasters in the region. The World Bank representative in the meeting agreed that World Bank and BWP together would organise a regional workshop to disseminate the outcomes of the workshop in a donors meeting as a follow up. => A Follow Up Meeting on the Regional Programme for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change based on decision in Delhi Meeting was held in New Delhi in Nov, 2008 to prepare a comprehensive and broader proposal on Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change based on country experiences, and that a climate meeting would be held in Dhaka back to back with the Regional Flood Meeting. The Key agencies CEGIS from Bangladesh, ICIMOD from Nepal, SAARC Disaster Management Center and India Water Partnership from India and Pakistan Water Partnership attended the Meeting.was held in Dhaka on 4th Jan, 2009 where India ( India Water Partnership), Nepal (ICIMOD, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Govt of Nepal and Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology); Pakistan (Pakistan Water Partnership) and SriLanka (University of Ruhuna) attended the meeting. From Bangladesh all core water and climate related organisations namely IWM, CEGIS, WARPO,

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Global Change, LGED, Disaster Management Bureau, CDMP, Rajshahi University and donor organisations like World Bank, ADB, UNDP joined the meeting. In the meeting, the most priority programmes in the region were identified as the capacity building and practicing IWRM through CWPs network for adaptation to climate change. This meeting has helped prepare a comprehensive proposal to attract donor attention to implement the programme. Recently the proposal is waiting for approval of GWP valued US$ 80000 to implement in six countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, SriLanka, Pakistan, India and Bhutan). Bangladesh is the lead country to implement this regional programme. =>Bangladesh Water Partnership, the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) and Bangladesh Water Development Board jointly organsed a TOT Course on IWRM from 17-22 January, 2009. The TOT Course was inaugurated by Chief Engineer (Planning) of Bangladesh Water Development Board. This year TOT has focused on learning from doing. Over 28 mid level multidisciplinary water professionals (14 water/civil engineers, 3 environmentalists, 5 agriculturists, 1 fisheries specialist, 1 urban planner, 1 GIS specialist, 1 Remote Sensing specialist, 1 technical editor) from various government related organizations as well as from NGOs working in water sector (Bangladesh Water Development Board, Water Resources Planning Organisation, Institute of Water Modelling, Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies, International Center for Nature Conservation, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Department of Environment, Department of Forest, Dept of Fisheries) have been trained. The training has used the IWRM tools developed under IPSWAMP (Integrated Planning for Sustainable Water Management) Project (First IWRM Project in Bangladesh) implemented by Bangladesh Water Development Board. The participants have been trained at the project level in IPSWAMP project area for two days in Potuakhali outside Dhaka . The IWRM Tool Box ( consisting of IWRM guidelines and tools along with some valuable publications in Bangla Language) (worth of US$ 100) prepared under the IPSWAM IWRM project were circulated among 28 participants and 15 water experts and trainers in the TOT Course at free of cost to follow those in their organisation for practice to implement IWRM. The participants specially were extremely happy for the documents. This was possible only because of BWP intervention and strong linkage with its partners. =>Bangladesh Water Partnership provided voluntary support to WARPO to improve the country status paper for World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) funded by Danish Hydraulics Institute (DHI).This was through participation in the Dissemination Workshop on World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP in Dhaka on 7th January, 2009. The workshop was organised by WARPO and IWM, the final report will be included in the WWAP report for its launching during the 5th World Water Forum at Istanbul. The core water related organisations namely Bangladesh Water Development Board, WARPO, Bangladesh Water Partnership, Institute of Water Modelling, CEGIS, LGED, DPHE, River Research Institute (RRI) attended the workshop. Ms. Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, BWP represented BWP and made substantial contribution to revise the position paper and provided information to DHI and WARPO after the workshop to enrich the document. The support of BWP in influencing the water policy and plans of the government of Bangladesh and implement IWRM in past 12 years has contributed to the Government of Bangladesh' request for BWP to be involved in the IWRM road map of Bangladesh under ADB RETA Project. BWP recently has received a letter from the Government's RETA Project on IWRM on 14th January to send a report on BWP's IWRM activities so that BWP could be included in the investment portfolio of Government's IWRM project and propose a set of activities and projects that could promote IWRM processes in the country. ADB-RETA Project will sit with Ms. Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, BWP on 10th February, 2009.

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=>Ms. Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership attended the Asia Pacific Synthesis Workshop for Regional Document for 5th World Water Forum in Tokyo from 15-18 Dec, 2008 as Sub-regional Coordinator of South Asia and presented the Draft Sub-Regional Document. The Sub-regional document was finalized after South Asia Sub-Regional Meeting held in Dhaka on 4th January, 2008. She has also working for Thematic and Political process for the 5th World Water Forum and 61 contributions were till date accepted by the topic coordinators in the 5th World Water Forum's various themes. => There is good progress in December, 2008 and January, 2009 on preparation of South Asia for participation in the 5th World Water Forum and South Asia Water priority water issues ( integrated transboundary river basin management, cooperative flood management and improvement of flood warning and forecasting and other issues e.g gender) have been integrated in the Asia Pacific Regional document. The Asia Pacific Final Document in which South Asia document has been incorporated is now in the World Water Forum Website. Mr. Muhammad Zamir, Vice President, BWP will co-chair the Synthesis Session of Topic-3.1 and Mr. T A Khan, Secretary General, BWP will play as reacting speaker. Besides other two members from Bangladesh are to present paper based on their contribution if funding could be ensured. Moreover based on 61 contributions from South Asia, many will play active role from Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia based on funding opportunity or on partial support from 5th World Water Forum Secretariat. There will be a Children Forum. As a Sub-regional coordinator, BWP is in contact with 5th World Water Forum. Children from SriLanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan can participate in the Forum to showcase their activities and performance in water sector. Bangladesh and Pakistan have planned to hold two side session one on Climate Change and other on Partnership in the 5th World Water Forum. =>Mr. Giasuddin Ahmed Choudhury, the Theme Leader of Climate Change Programme in South Asia - Executive Director, Bangladesh Water Partnership and Ms. Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, BWP; Mr. Abu Saleh Khan, Deputy Executive Director, Institute of Water Modelling (IWM); Ms. Wahida Ahmad from ActionAid -Bangladesh amd Mr. Babu from Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies as invited attended the Asia Regional Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change form Land and Water Management in Hanoi from 19-21 January, 2009 and contributed in preparation of process document for Copenhagen Meeting by incorporating South Asia views on the climate issue. Bhutan Water Partnership The BhWP conducted Post monsoon water quality monitoring from 5th December 2008 to 2 January 2009. In this activity we covered all major rivers and streams with about 60 sampling sites covering all 20 districts. Water quality monitoring involves collecting of water samples, analyzing the samples for various partameters, recording data that is classified into physical, chemical, microbiological and biological. The data is currently being analyzed. No activity planned in January 2009. India Water Partnership IWP focused on consultations with partners about the Action Plan 2009. It is being emphasised that IWP intends to select some partners from each zone to implement its

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Action Plan 2009. These partners are expected to get in touch with the nearest research Labs/scientists of the Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other knowledgeable persons about the water saving technologies. The partners are also expected to document information on " Best practices" and their adoption in their respective areas. Feed back would be obtained from scientists, partners and NGOs working in this area. This would be reviewed and the next step discussed with partners for the implementation of plan. Nepal Water Partnership December 2008 1. Nepal Water Partnership/JVS organized an interaction program on "Nepali Patrapatrikama Jalsrot-Water and Media in Nepal" on 26th December 2008 in Kathmandu. Representative s' form various print media participated in the program. Mr. Byakul Pathak, Editor of Nepal Samacharpatra made a presentation on the interdisciplinary research study on Water and Media in Nepal. The study was carried out by CMS- Nepal, the partner institution of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS. The general consensuses reached during the program are as follows: • A network of Water Resources Professionals and Media is essential to effectively disseminate the news to the general public. Nepal Water Partnership/ JVS will play the role of focal point in this regard. • The gaps identified in the study will be minimized by publishing the news in a balanced way in the future. • The study is not an analysis of Nepalese newspapers but to study the status of the news published and use it as a reference to fulfill the gaps in the future. • The data and conclusions could be used by the trainers and trainee of media representatives, and college level students to know the status of Nepalese press. • Electronics media such as TV and FM stations are more effective than print media to reach to the general public. Though, it is difficult to study the news items in such media, focus should be given to disseminate more news through these media.

• Some of the technical terms published in the newspapers are wrongly printed giving a different and wrong meaning. This may be because of less know-how of the correspondent or because of a misprint in the desk. Such mistakes should be corrected before printing. • Publication of a technical dictionary will take more

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resource and time. Hence, a glossary of technical terms will be prepared to make the journo familiar to the technical terms of water resources. The suggestions and feedback received from the participants will bei ncorporated in the final report for wider dissemination. January 2009

1. The Ninth Annual General Meeting of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS was organized on 2nd January 2009 in Kathmandu under the chairmanship of Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, Chair NWP/JVS. The Institutional, Individual partners and invited guests participated the meeting. The Annual Report of NWP/JVS presented by Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General. A keynote address on

"Reinventing Nepal's Hydropower Development" was also delivered by Mr. Santa Bahadur Pun, former Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority during the meeting. The Audit and Annual Report of NWP/JVS presented by Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay was unanimously approved by the meeting. The resolution to appoint Mr. Bhim Lal Shrrestha, registered auditor to carry out the Audit of Nepal Water Partnership/JVS Account was also unanimously approved. 2. Nepal Water Partnership/JVS jointly with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – Nepal Office organized the Round Table discussion on "Water Policy Issues: Exploring Areas of Partnership" on 9th

January 2009 in Kathmandu. The meeting was attended by Government, I/NGO, NWP/JVS partners and other invited guests. Dr. Colin J. Charters, Director General – International Water Institute, Colombo, Srilanka made a presentation on IWMI Strategic Plan. Mr. Surya N. Upadhyay, Secretary General, Nepal

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Water Partnership/JVS also made the presentation on "Overview of Water Resources Policy of Nepal". The main objectives of the round table were: • To renew the partnership between Nepal Water Partnership/JVS and IWMI and sharing of experience between neighboring countries. • To explore the new areas of partnership between IWMI and Nepal Water Partnership/JVS in the policy sector of water resources. Pakistan Water Partnership December 2008

1) Pakistan Water Partnership held a National Workshop on Capacity Building of Water Utility Networks (Water and Sanitation Agencies-WASAs) on 29-30 December, 2008 where seven WASAs out of total 9 and 42 NGOs, partners working in the field of Water Supply and Sanitation participated. The workshop had deliberations on Concept of PAWUN, National Sanitation and Drinking Water Supply policies, use of tools of IWRM for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), role of WASAs in accordance with the National Policies on Sanitation (already approved) and Drinking Water Supply (under finalization), holistic picture of the Government of Pakistan stand in achieving MDGs. The Planning Commission and Ministry of Environment also attended the workshop as resource persons.

2) Pakistan Water Partnership held its Board of Director’s Meeting in the evening of 29 December 2008 in Islamabad wherein the important issues relating to a Book on IWRM and Enhancing Water Productivity in Pakistan by Dr. Zafar Altaf, National Consultation on Strategic Issues, PWP Work Plan 2009 and its implementation were discussed and approved by the Board of Directors.

3) National Dialogue on Integrated Water Resources Management – Water Efficiency Plans and Transboundary Waters-Inland Navigation was held on 30 December 2008 in Islamabad which was attended by over 50 Government’s key dignitaries and policy makers including water professionals and experts from water related NGOs e.g. IUCN, WWF, PCRWR, National Rural Support Program. Senator Engineer Rukhsana Zubairi, Chairperson, Pakistan Engineering Council, Islamabad graced this event as a Chief Guest, whereas the event was chaired by Dr. Amir Muhammad, Rector, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad. The speakers gave their comprehensive presentations on Pakistan’s Water Efficiency Plans, National Water Policy/Emerging Climate Change Threats, Transboundary Waters and Inland Navigation related issues and potentials. Ms. Simi Kamal, Member GWP Technical Committee gave a presentation on promoting GWP Membership in Pakistan.

4) PWP held its Annual Partners Meeting on the afternoon of 31 December 2008 in Islamabad, wherein PWP presented its activities held during 2008 and work plan for

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2009 for open discussion and adoption by the partners. This meeting was chaired by Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman, PWP. Over 35 partners from all over Pakistan participated in this meeting and took part in the open discussions. The feedback of the partners on PWP activities during 2008 was very positive and encouraging.

January 2009

5) Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman PWP and Mr. Karamat Ali, Programme Coordinator/Secretary PWP attended the Regional Synthesis Workshop on Flood Disasters Management in the Ganges and the Brahmmaputra River Basins, Follow up Kick-off Meeting on Regional Programme on Climate Change and Meeting on Final Draft of South Asia Sub-Regional Document for 5th World Water Forum held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 3-4 January, 2009. Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman PWP presented country inputs and activities of Pakistan for the Regional Programme on Climate Change. Mr. Karamat Ali, Programme Coordinator/Secretary PWP assisted him in finalizing the inputs into the Final Draft of South Asia Sub-Regional Document for 5th World Water Forum.

6) Mrs. Hamida Masood Shah who implemented Water Productivity interventions in Nara Canal AWP, Sanghar has been assigned a project worth Pak Rs. 15 million by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in January 2009 for horizontal spread of these Water Productivity interventions in all areas of Sindh Province. This is an example of up-scaling small interventions of an AWP over a larger area with broader scope.

7) Mr. Khalid Mohtadullah, Founding Director PWP, former Executive Secretary GWP has been assigned the responsibilities of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Pakistan Programme as Director and Senior Advisor from January 2009.

8) Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman PWP attended the Regional Conference on Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for South Asia, jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan and IUCN-Pakistan at Serena Hotel, Islamabad on 13-14 January 2009, and contributed his expert inputs during the discussions.

9) A World Water Forum Preparatory Meeting was held in PWP Office Islamabad on 27 January, 2009 participated by Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman PWP, Mr. Naseer Ahmad Gillani, Chief Water, Planning Commission, Mr. Karamat Ali, Programme Coordinator, PWP. The meeting focused on preparations for the side event to be held by PWP in the 5th World Water Forum on 20 March 2009. AWPs and UWP to be presented in the side event were reviewed and finalized.

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SOUTH EAST ASIA Cambodia Cambo WP implemented an activity called “Stakeholder participation in de-central IWRM” , supported by GWP and ADB .It is aimed to promote and enhance Stakeholder involvement in 4-Ps Basin through Consultation Meetings cum Training on 14-15 December, and one Workshop on 30-31 December 2008. The Consultation Meetings were held in Kratie and attended by 4-Ps Basin Functional Water Partnership (4-Ps BFWP), covering topics on IWRM concepts, Public Participation awareness, Stakeholders involvement and engagement in Basin Development Plan, Stakeholders analysis, review of the role and function of BFWP under the framework of coordinating committee and development of a draft strategy for stakeholder engagement . The Workshop was officiated by the Secretary General of CNMC, representatives of Governors of Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces; and attended by 60 participants from national and provincial government agencies, NGOs and 4-Ps Basin FWP members in Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces. Members of the 4-Ps Basin Functional Water Partnership (BFWP) adopted and initiated a strategy for stakeholders engagement by forming a pilot 4-Ps Basin Coordinating Committee for Development (BCCD) by stakeholder engagement and involvement, identifying boundary actors related to this pilot project and developed a draft Terms of Reference for the formation of BCCD in the whole provinces of Kratie and Mondulkiri. Indonesia Ina-WP organized Training of trainers for IWRM Tool Box and Workshop on Strengthening of IWRM Tool Box networking on 17 December 2008 in Jakarta, attended by 21 persons from government, academic and NGO institutions. Beside this, during the workshop and along the period Ina-WP was also organizing ToolBox case studies writing, submission and translation, especially for those related to IWRM implementation in Indonesia. By the end of December 2008, workshop participants had submitted 19 case studies of IWRM implementation from several provinces in Indonesia , covering many aspects of WRM (WRM planning, water quality, flood plain management, lake management, coastal conservation, WRM financing, watershed land use, water conflict resolution, water supply operation, irrigation efficiency, groundwater and dry land irrigation, WR conservation, water users association, swampy area management). Most of the cases have been submitted to SEA ToolBox. Malaysia MyWP organized an IWRM awareness and ToolBox training workshops at the National Hydraulic Research Institute Malaysia (NAHRIM) in Selangor on 15th December 2008, jointly organised by MyWP and NAHRIM, attended by 15 participants comprising members of

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MyWP. The objective of the workshops was to introduce and create awareness among the participants regarding: (a) IWRM Concept , (b) GWP IWRM ToolBox information framework and case studies website, (c) Aguajaring (SEA) IWRM capacity builders and resource persons network, (d) MyWP, including recruitment of new members for MyWP. This workshop, targeted at members and relevant stakeholders at State level, was organised as a continuation of a series of similar workshops that started since last year. The series of workshops were introduced as a means for reaching out to wider audience and larger spectrum of stakeholders including ,but not exclusively just, the MyWP members. A considerable number of the participants were young professionals. Vietnam On 12 December 2008 VNWP organized Workshop on “Ma river basin: Demands and Toolbox for management” organized by the Vietnam Water Partnership in collaboration with the Vietnam Academic for Water Resources . It was a combined activity promoting IWRM principles and practice, and IWRM Toolbox application at local level. It was attended by 55 participants from several government organizations responsible for water and water resources under Ministry of Rural Development and Agriculture, Institute of Water Resources Planning, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Industry and Trade from central, provincial and district levels. SOUTHERN AFRICA WEST AFRICA

1- GWP West Africa took part in the high level conference on Water and Energy in Sirte, Libya from 15 to 17 December 2008. This conference was organized by FAO and the government of Libya to draw a focus on water for agriculture and energy in Africa. A Ministerial Declaration was issued at the end of the conference which saw the participation of many ministerial delegations from many African countries. This gave GWP/WA an opportunity to meet high level water authorities of many countries and mainly exchange with the chair of AMCOW, the minister of water from Congo to discuss AMCOW’s participation into the General Assembly of GWP/West Africa Partners. The incoming chair, Mr. Hama Arba DIALLO has been very active contacting and discussing with other regional and continental partners like the Observatory of the Sahara and the Sahel (OSS), the African Union commissioner for environment and water issues, representatives of FAO, etc.

This was followed by the participation of West Africa to the meeting held in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 15 to 16 January 2009. This was a consultation workshop for the implementation of a programme of co- funded projects on water and sanitation by the African Water Facility, the African Development Bank, the West and Central Africa programme of IUCN, Global Water Partnership (GWP) and UNESCO.

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2- GWP West Africa is celebrating in 2009 the ten years of GWP action in the region.

Though there has been no special celebration plans, the event was marked by the holding of the third general assembly of partners meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The meeting was organized around the theme of “IWRM in West Africa: adaptation strategies in a context of proven climate change” aiming at drawing attention on a phenomenon that is hard hitting this part of the African continent. A panel of West African experts discussed and debated on the theme to say how necessary it is for everybody to change behavior for a better water management as a way to adapting to climate change and variability.

The events in Abidjan in the framework of the 10th anniversary were placed under the patronage of Mr. Guillaume SORO, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the effective presidency of the Minister of Environment, Water and Forestry, Dr. AHIZI AKA Daniel. They were marked by the presence of the Chair of the African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW), Mr. Bruno ITOUA, GWP Chair, Dr Letitia OBENG, the regional chairs of GWP in Africa and the Mediterranean and about a hundred partner associations from West Africa. The first day of the General Meeting was devoted to the adoption of various reports, the renewal of some Steering Committee members and the regional Technical Committee members. One of the important decisions of this day was the approval of the designation of Mr. Hama Arba DIALLO, as the new chair of GWP West Africa. The second day was a GWP/AMCOW session aiming at strengthening collaboration and cooperation links between GWP and AMCOW, as well their regional representations in Africa, in order to improve the concretization of the political will around water and climate change issues in and around the continent. A high level panel was set up to discuss on how to strengthen collaboration between GWP and AMCOW. A joint communiqué read by AMCOW Executive Secretary was issued at the end of the day. The document states that “Parties to the partnership confirmed appreciation of the collaboration, which is appropriate to the demands from the regions. The cooperation was affirmed within the framework of the Africa Water Vision and in the pursuit of the AMCOW Programme of Action… There was an agreement that synergies and collaboration will build on a closer cooperation with the Regional Economic Commissions at the sub-regions. AMCOW, GWP and the RECs will create the structures at subregional levels to consolidate the outputs from their collaboration in water issues (…). Three main areas to focus the cooperation were agreed on:

a. Adaptation to climate change and mitigating the impact,

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b. Ensuring funding for proper infrastructure that addresses the three Es for improved water security, and

c. Improving water governance.”

3- The workshop on fund raising for country water partnerships in West Africa was held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 23 to 25 January 2009. This workshop came as remedial to the recurrent problem CWP are facing about their lack of capacity for project development and fund raising. It brought together Executives Secretaries of the eleven CWP in West African region. The training was carried by a consulting firm specialized in management in West Africa and implemented in the framework of the Programme for the Improvement of Water Governance in West Africa (PIWAG), a three year programme co funded by the EU and GWPO. According to participants to the workshop, this was a great initiative and gave them opportunity to strengthen their capacities on project elaboration and also donor identification. The workshop gave the opportunity to work practically on some projects developed by CWP and point out weaknesses as well as strengths if any of these projects. It came as an initiative of GWP/WA before the general assembly of partners. The workshop was attended by the regional coordinator of GWP Central Africa, M. Chi Christopher TAMU who came to build on this experience for his region. The official ceremony was attended by the private secretary of the Ivorian Ministry of environment, water and forestry who brought the total support of the authorities of Ivory Coast.

4- The Steering Committee of GWP WA met on 26 January 2009 in prelude to the General Assembly of Partners in Abidjan to approve the various reports and the agenda of the Partners’ meeting. The same day, the eleven CWP of the region met to discuss their concerns. They produced a document containing twelve points of recommendations that was read at the general assembly of partners of GWP WA. All these meetings were held in the framework of the events of the 10th year of GWP in West Africa.

5- GWP/WA elected Chair, Mr. Hama Arba DIALLO and the Executive Secretary paid a visit to AMCOW Executive Secretariat and the Commission of ECOWAS in Abuja on January 5th and 6th 2009. They shared with the Vice President of the Commission of ECOWAS Mr. Jean de Dieu SOMDA and Mr. Ousséni Salifou, the Commissionner for Agriculture, Environment and water resources on the importance for both parties to strengthen partnership in the frame of the existing MOU, and mentioned areas for immediate collaboration including the regional dialogue on Climate, the West African water week, the need to strengthen Country water Partnerships etc. They confirmed the high appreciation of ECOWAS for GWP regional body in West Africa

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and their financial support (46 000 Euro) for the workshop on fundraising to the attention of the CWPs!

With Mr. Taal Bai-mass, the Executive Secretary of AMCOW, the discussions were around the way forward in the collaboration with AMCOW regional and GWP/WA but also the preparation of the GWP-AMCOW high level conference planned to take place during the GWP/WA General Assembly of Partners in Abidjan on January 27 and 28.