Our optimism for 2021, as stated in the launching issue of our 'GWP-Med NewsFlow' in February, is based neither on available analyses, which predict a further decrease of water availability in the region, nor on the recorded speed of improvements in the enabling conditions for a wiser, integrated water resources management. It is based on the new, substantial, truly radical and ambitious political initiatives, resources and tools provided by the European Union, in addition to the range of existing contributions, though some of them yet untapped, such as the Green Climate Fund, that could become the driving force to speed-up a socio-economic and technological revolution in the region, turning challenges into opportunities for all. The recent EU Communication for a New Agenda for the Mediterranean is accompanied by an Economic and Investment Plan of €7 billion for the period 2021-2027; makes clear links to the “European Green Deal” and the twin “green” and “digital” transition, and includes among its priority areas: human development, good governance, gender and youth empowerment, strengthening resilience, peace and security, migration and, of course, green transition. All are closely related to water and the GWP-Med ongoing Work Programme. Therefore, the sources of optimism are the prospects of the new policies and tools as well as the results obtained from our joint work with our valuable partners, including on women in water diplomacy in MENA as well as on gender mainstreaming in the Balkans; the launching of AIP-WACDEP-G program in Tunisia and its potential; a rapidly growing recognition among Mediterranean Countries of Nature-Based Solutions and the importance of biodiversity, also linked to the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus approach, as demonstrated in recent workshops on Forest Management & Water Regulation and the Nexus Consultation in Serbia and Montenegro. Prof. Michael Scoullos, DSc., PhD GWP-Med Chairman |
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📰 FEATURE: NEW EU AGENDA FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN |
Interview with Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt |
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What is new in the Agenda for the Mediterranean? How could the twin ‘green’ and ‘digital’ transitions within the new Agenda address common Water and Climate Change challenges in the Southern Mediterranean? In his interview for GWP-Med Newsflow, Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, sheds light on the implications of the new Agenda for the water sector. |
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📰 FEATURE: WOMEN AND WATER DIPLOMACY IN THE MENA REGION |
Three young professionals from Lebanon, Morocco and Jordan discuss the role of Women in Water Diplomacy |
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On the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March, we asked 3 young female water professionals from the MENA region to share their own experience about the role of Women in Water Diplomacy, discuss obstacles to their empowerment and highlight what is needed in order to utilise their potential to be catalysts for peace.
"The most important barrier to women’s participation in decision-making and leadership is the lack of realization of women’s power. Showing the successful examples that prove women’s positive impact in leadership is vital to equip water professionals with the knowledge to realize the potential of women", says Raya Al-Masri, International Consultant from Jordan. Read Ms Al-Masri's interview.
"No ambitious woman would refuse being in a position of influence if she had the right environment to manage both a career and a family", says Vera Noon, Spatial Planner and Architect, from Lebanon. Read Ms Noon's interview. "Despite the existence of patriarchal social norms, the promotion of women is constantly evolving and the effects of women's empowerment are increasingly noticeable" says Safaa El Yacoubi, Senior Manager, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), Morocco. Read Ms El Yacoubi's interview. |
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Launching event for the publication, "Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa: A Comparative Study of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine." |
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On 15 March, our joint Initiative with the Geneva Water Hub, on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA region, is hosting an online event, within the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Water Policy Framework for Actions 2030, to launch the publication of its Comparative Study, supported by Sida, SDC and Geneva University, on the role of women in water diplomacy in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine. Join us! |
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Learning Workshop addresses gender aspects in sustainable development in the Drin basinAn online Learning workshop on Gender Equality & Sustainable Development in the Drin basin took place on 21 December, with more than 55 representatives from gender related institutions, academia, civil society, youth activists and media from Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The workshop was organised by GWP-Med with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Read more |
| | 2nd GCF MED Training: Special Focus on GenderResponding to the demand expressed by Mediterranean countries to accelerate access to GCF opportunities for adaptation projects, the 2nd Technical Workshop on GCF Project Preparation for Transformational Climate Resilience Water Projects in the Mediterranean, with emphasis on Gender objectives and requirements, was organised online, on 11 February, by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and GWP-Med, with technical inputs by GWP and the GWP-Coordination Unit for Africa. Read more |
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Nexus consultation meeting in Serbia highlights need for cross sectoral cooperation in the Drina river basinA Nexus national consultation meeting in Serbia on 17 February, co-organised by GWP-Med and the UNECE in cooperation with Serbian Authorities and with support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), brought together representatives and experts from Ministries, Institutions and Agencies from the sectors of energy, environment, agriculture and water as well as representatives of civil society, to discuss national perspectives and priorities on solutions and investments regarding the WEFE Nexus approach in the Drina river basin. Read more |
| | Nexus consultation meeting in Montenegro builds up the ongoing transboundary intersectoral dialogue in the Drina basinRepresentatives and stakeholders from Montenegro’s water management, energy, investment, agro-forestry, hydrometeorology and environment protection sectors, gathered at the online national consultation on the Drina River basin Nexus Assessment Phase II on 26 February. The consultation was convened by GWP-Med and the UNECE, in cooperation with the Montenegrin authorities, with the support of ADA. Read more |
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AU Heads of States adopt the Continental Africa Water Investment Program (AIP), as part of the second phase of PIDAThe Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State have formally adopted the progressive Continental Africa Water Investment Program (AIP), during its 34th Ordinary Session on 7th February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AIP will accelerate investment into climate-resilient regional, transboundary, and national water infrastructure critically needed for Africa’s growing socio-economic needs. Read more |
| | AIP WACDEP-G programme: Inception Workshop in Tunisia discusses gender policies and capacity building needsOn 17 February, the General Directorate of Water Resources of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, and GWP-Med organised the national Inception Workshop of the AIP Africa Water Investment Programme: Gender Equality in Water Security and Climate Resilient Development in Africa (AIP-WACDEP-G), supported by ADA. It was attended by more than 50 participants, representing relevant Ministries, public authorities, civil society, academia, and experts. Read more |
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🌐 FROM THE GLOBAL WATER PARTNERSHIP NETWORK |
New GWP Executive Secretary, Darío Soto-Abril, takes the helm |
On 1 March 2021, the GWP family all over the globe warmly welcomed Mr Dario Soto-Abril as our new Executive Secretary. “GWP’s mission and its new strategy call us to double our efforts in securing access to water for all, while recognising water as a fundamental human right. By anchoring our work in the Sustainable Development Goals, and connecting it with a strong response to the COVID crisis, GWP is uniquely positioned to lead, inspire, and mobilise new partners to join us in this endeavour" says Dario, and under his leadership, the GWP family is ready to make this change happen! |
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Drin Day 2021: The GEF/UNDP/GWP-Med project 'Enabling transboundary cooperation and integrated water resources management in the extended Drin River Basin' (GEF Drin Project) is making efforts to raise public awareness about the natural wealth and cultural heritage of the Drin River Basin through the celebration of Drin Day 2021. Read more |
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