The GWP launches its Strategy 2009-2013: "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. GWP’s educational and advocacy role since 1996 for an integrated approach to the management and development of water resources has contributed to changes in policies and legislation. The new strategy aims to build on those successes by pushing water higher up the development agenda.

“Recognizing the new challenges, GWP has developed a new intervention strategy,” said GWP Patron HRH The Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander. “This strategy makes the organisation fit for the future and guarantees the continuation of the important role that GWP is playing in improving the integrated planning and management of the world's water resources. It is an honour for me to be Patron of such an influential organisation.”

Referring to new global challenges, GWP Chair Dr. Letitia A. Obeng, said, “The Strategy has been developed during a difficult period. Development efforts are threatened due to unprecedented economic and financial volatility, and increased uncertainty facing the world. We are however excited that we can build on our past, and position ourselves to contribute to addressing urgent water-related challenges.”

“There are precious few development issues that can be talked about without reference to water security,” said GWP Technical Committee Chair Roberto Lenton, “whether it is poverty, hunger, disease, or the environment. In fact, the world community will have great difficulty reaching the Millennium Development Goals if it does not place water security issues front and centre.”

Martin Walshe, GWP Deputy Executive Secretary and currently Acting Executive Secretary, emphasized the inclusive process that resulted in the strategy. “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,” he said. “Comments were received from around the globe, including from staff and the donor community. We are grateful to everyone who contributed.”

Dr. Ania Grobicki, the newly-appointed GWP Executive Secretary, noted that “With communities, societies and nations under pressure from the economic downturn and from the effects of increasing climate variability, I believe passionately that GWP's key task is to keep the focus on water security for all.” Dr. Grobicki takes up her new post on March 11.

The GWP 2009-2013 Strategy is available at www.gwpforum.org.

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The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international network whose vision is for a water secure world. The mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. GWP was created in 1996 to foster the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources by maximising economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) provides the framework for this mission. The GWP network is active in 13 regions and over 50 countries.

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1.    The printed Strategy document will be distributed as a pdf in an email to all GWP network audiences the week of Monday 26 January:
a.    Steering Committee
b.    Patrons
c.    Finance Partners Group
d.    TEC
e.    Advisors
f.    Partners
g.    Regional Water Partnerships
h.    Country Water Partnerships
i.    Communications Officers
j.    ToolBox Officers

2.    During the same week a news release will be circulated to the network who will distribute it to regional and country media networks and partners.

3.    The news release will also be uploaded to the  GWP website www.gwpforum.org along with the printed Strategy document.

4.    The Strategy and news release will be posted on (or circulated by) general water list websites such as Water-L, The Environmental Journalists, international water agencies, and relevant news media sites.

5.    The Strategy will be circulated at an informal meeting of GWP donors during World Bank Water Week in February.

6.    In March, the Strategy document will get a high profile at the WWF #5 in Istanbul (at two side events, at sessions which GWP is involved in, and at the booth).

7.    Printed copies (limited) will be distributed to regional offices for further distribution in the regions.

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Read the news release here
GWP lanza la nueva Estrategia Global
CLICK HERE FOR THE STRATEGY