Global Water Partnership
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global action network with over 3,000 Partner organisations in 183 countries. The network has 63 Country Water Partnerships and 13 Regional Water Partnerships.The network is open to all organisations involved in water resources management: developed and developing country government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Water Resources
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
- 1996
About Us
What is the Network?
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global action network with over 3,000 Partner organisations in 183 countries. The network has 87 Country Water Partnerships and 13 Regional Water Partnerships.
The network is open to all organisations involved in water resources management: developed and developing country government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
GWP's action network provides knowledge and builds capacity to improve water management at all levels: global, regional, national and local. GWP does not operate alone. Its networking approach provides a mechanism for coordinated action and adds value to the work of many other key development partners.
We are an ‘on-the-ground’ network that mobilises government, civil society, and the commercial sector to engage with each other to solve water problems.
Usually those problems stem from the demands of competing water users so it’s about how to manage, or govern, the resource itself. Our focus is on improving the way water is managed across sectors – it’s called the integrated approach.
Our comparative advantage is a large and diverse multi-stakeholder network that can deploy 20 years of knowledge and experience in applying the cross-sectoral integrated water resources management approach to sustainable development.
We’ve succeeded when water is managed sustainably while at the same time maximising social and economic welfare.
So what?
Water is the cornerstone of human health and economic development. GWP wants people to have clean water to lead healthy lives, we want communities protected from water-related threats, and we want to harness the productive power of water for sustainable development while protecting vital ecosystems.
None of that will happen unless we talk about good governance — having water policies, laws, financing, and institutions that are transparent, coherent, inclusive, and integrated across sectors. That’s why we advocate for the application of an integrated approach to water resources management (IWRM). Sustainable Development Goal #6 (on water) has adopted this approach and GWP has a 20-year track record in helping countries make it a reality.
What makes us special?
Good water governance isn’t going to happen unless there is an all-of-society involvement. That takes a credible, neutral, experienced multi-stakeholder network. We’ve got 3,000-plus institutional Partners in more than 180 countries. We have 85 Country Water Partnerships. And we have 13 Regional Water Partnerships spanning the developing world and emerging economies. This combined platform embodies a core GWP belief: that only when a broad range of stakeholders work together will we change water management for the better.
We advocate
GWP Partners – locally, regionally, and globally – work to make water a top policy priority. We don’t shy away from addressing the trade-offs between different water uses. Putting the issues firmly on the table means stakeholders can consider all perspectives when taking tough decisions about managing and using water sustainably. As a network with many stakeholders from many sectors, GWP has a 'convening power' that makes dialogue possible and can help bring about changes to policies, laws, and institutions.
We build capacity
Advocacy alone, is not enough. Decision-makers and institutions must acquire the attitudes and skills needed for a behavioural change to manage water effectively. Building capacity can range from supporting dialogues on participatory approaches, workshops (e.g., on financing, flood management, and international water law), and working with parliamentarians, women organizations, and urban planners.
We communicate knowledge
To build capacity, knowledge is required. GWP technical papers, from background papers to policy briefs, tackle issues ranging from effective water governance to water efficiency. The GWP IWRM ToolBox is an online knowledge centre for water management. GWP also draws on the expertise of Partners to link science and technology with policy and practice.
Vision, Mission and Values
The Global Water Partnership's vision is for a water secure world. Our mission is to advance governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development.
Vision Statement 2014-2019
A water secure world is vital for a better future: a future in which there is enough water to support social development, sustainable and inclusive growth, and ecosystems. In a water secure world, we respect the intrinsic value of water and recognise its vital role in supporting human livelihoods.
A water secure world harnesses the productive power of water and minimises its destructive force. It is a world where every person has enough safe, affordable, clean water to lead a healthy and productive life. It is a world where communities are protected from floods, droughts, landslides, erosion, and water-borne diseases. Water security promotes environmental protection as well as social justice, and addresses the impacts of poor water management. All of these will become even greater challenges as climate variability increases.
A water secure world reduces poverty and improves living standards. The human right of access to clean water and sanitation are now enshrined in international law. Putting this into practice will improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable, especially women and children, who benefit most from good water governance.
We believe that an integrated approach to managing and equitably sharing the world’s limited water resources among the many different and competing uses is the best way to achieve a water secure world.
Mission Statement 2014-2019
GWP supports countries to realise our vision by helping them to advance their governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development.
Effective governance and a willingness to work together are widely accepted as the keys to solving the problem of sharing limited water resources equitably among many competing water users.
Across the world, at every stage of national development, we build understanding of the relationship between economic growth and increasing water security. We demonstrate how water security can be achieved in practice based on a firm foundation of knowledge and innovation.
Values
GWP's core values unite the Partners and are paramount to pursuing its mission.
One important requirement for membership is that Partners agree to adhere to the core values. GWP Partners, and all GWP entities, agree to strive for inclusiveness, openness, transparency, accountability, respect, gender sensitivity, and solidarity. These are our core values. GWP expects all Partners to apply them, bringing together as wide a group of stakeholders as possible in fulfilment of our mission.
The values underpin meaningful dialogue among people with different interests and mindsets, and strengthen GWP's neutral stance and credibility. Solidarity is at the heart of GWP's development endeavours and is essential to our commitment to the poor and disadvantaged.
Strategy, Workplans, Progress Reviews
The GWP network adopts multi-year strategies approved by the Partners. To implement the current strategy, 3-year work programmes and annual workplans have been developed that are approved by the global Steering Committee. Each year GWP reviews progress toward the implementation of the strategy. Please find below links to GWP's strategies. The Work Programmes, Workplans, and Progress Reviews are in the right-hand column.