28 June 2014: Participants discussed how to catalyze change, share knowledge and strengthen partnerships at all levels for a water secure world at the 2014 Global Water Partnership (GWP) Consulting Partners Meeting. The meeting convened under the theme, ‘GWP Strategy Towards 2020: Addressing Thematic Issues’.

Participants discussed the GWP Strategy 2014-2019, ‘Towards 2020,’ which focuses on six thematic areas: climate resilience and water security; ecosystems and water security; energy and water security; food and water security; transboundary water security; and urbanization and water security. It also highlights cross-cutting strategic issues such as gender equality and youth engagement. Participants also discussed the GWP 2013 Annual Report.

The event included the Consulting Partners meeting, the statutory GWP Network Meeting and an annual lecture. In addition, regional panels and thematic workshops took place.

Professor John Agard, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the GWP Annual Lecture on ‘Climate Change and Water.’ He discussed the implications of climate change for water at global, regional and local levels, including predictions on how climate change will affect rainfall in different locations around the world.

The 2014 GWP Consulting Partners Meeting took place in Trinidad and Tobago from 27-28 June 2014. The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) hosted the meeting.

The Consulting Partners Meeting is based on a consultative approach where Partners recommend actions. The GWP network comprises over 2,900 partner organizations in 180 countries.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) founded the GWP in 1996 to promote integrated water resources management (IWRM). [Meeting Website] [Meeting Programme] [GWP Press Release on Annual Lecture] [Live Meeting Webcast] [Publication: GWP Strategy Towards 2020: A Water Secure World] [Publication: GWP 2013 Annual Report]