WGS Initiative
Full project name: Water, Growth and Stability Initiative
Project duration: Apr 2016 – Apr 2017
My role: Project Director
My assignment: Apr 2016 – Sep 2016
Project overview:
The Water, Growth and Stability Initiative emerged from the WATER SUM project to strengthen cooperation on water governance, sustainable development and stability in the Middle East and North Africa. Launched during the April 2016 stakeholder conference in Szentendre, Hungary, the initiative was supported and managed by the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) in cooperation with strategic partners. It brought together perspectives from government, academia, business, civil society and municipalities around three pillars: water for sustainable development; water for growth and stability; and good governance for water. The initiative envisaged a knowledge platform, an expert network linking the MENA region and Europe, and e-learning tools to support capacity building, climate adaptation and the exchange of practical experience.
My contribution:
Organisation: Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC)
Geographical coverage: Middle East and North Africa, with cooperation and knowledge exchange involving European partners
As Project Director, provided strategic leadership for the launch and development of the WGS Initiative within the WATER SUM framework. Contributed to dialogue connecting water management, regional cooperation and sustainable development. At the founding conference, facilitated the panel on the importance of transboundary water cooperation for development, peace and stability; participated in discussions on regional approaches and future priorities; and presented within the session launching the Manual for Local Water Security Action Planning. Supported the formulation of the initiative’s objectives and arrangements for continued stakeholder cooperation.
Selected results:
Supported the launch of the WGS Initiative at the April 2016 conference in Szentendre, where participants endorsed a framework for continued cooperation on water management, sustainable development and stability.
Contributed to defining the initiative’s three strategic pillars: water for sustainable development; water for growth and stability; and good governance for water.
Helped formulate a stakeholder governance model comprising a High-Level Panel and five forums representing academia, business, civil society, municipalities and women.
Facilitated dialogue on the contribution of transboundary water cooperation to development, peace and stability, connecting perspectives from the MENA region and Europe.
Contributed to the conference launch of the Manual for Local Water Security Action Planning, linking practical planning methods with the initiative’s wider knowledge-sharing objectives.
Supported the formulation of priorities captured in the draft conference outcome document, including capacity building, climate adaptation, regional cooperation, resource mobilisation and development of a longer-term framework programme.