In a bid to reignite its Water and Sanitation campaign, the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has attended and participated in this year’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) and World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12) Assembly in Cairo Egypt.
The events, which begun on November 2nd – 7th, 2024, was programmed to thoroughly discuss Resilient Sanitation and Water Services – How African Cities and Utilities Are Driving Towards the SDGs as well as innovative solutions for sustainable urban development.
It brought together global leaders, local and regional governments as well as key stakeholders in the civil society space.
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Discussions were centered on the role of integrity in enhancing service delivery by Water Operators’ Partnerships, Common integrity challenges faced by water utilities, Tools and strategies to address integrity dilemmas among other interesting topics.
Addressing the gathering , Andre Dzikus, Chief of Urban Basic Services Section at UN-Habitat, outlined UN-Habitat’s priorities, including water and sanitation, housing sustainability, and resilient cities.
Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Michal Mlynár celebrated GWOPA’s 15th anniversary, urging continued action on water and sanitation, particularly for marginalized communities.
Representing Civil Society on the GWOPA Steering Committee, ISODEC joined a panel of experts to discuss the roles of CSOs in contributing to Water Operators’ Partnerships.
Ms. Martha Owiredu-Baah, Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of ISODEC who represented the Organisation at the event, presented an overview on “CSOs role on the GWOPA Steering Committee”.
Ms. Owiredu-Baah emphasised that civil society’s presence on GWOPA Steering Committee can greatly enhance Water Operators Partnerships (WOPs) by engaging communities, building capacity, and promoting accountability.
She pointed out that CSOs empower local voices, provide essential training, and ensure transparency, while sharing grassroots knowledge and advocating for supportive policies. Additionally, she stated that by fostering partnerships among water operators, governments, and communities, CSOs can strengthen WOPs, contributing to sustainable and equitable water access globally.
During the EU WOP program launch and dialogue, she also presented an overview on “Engaging Civil Society in the EU WOP Program.”
Ms. Owiredu- Baah noted that the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) Program aims to strengthen water and sanitation services through capacity building and equitable access, aligning with ISODEC’s vision to empower vulnerable communities. Civil society engagement is central to this course, adding that by actively involving CSOs, the program enhances local ownership, accountability, and service reach, ensuring underserved communities benefit. Such collaboration, according to her, supports SDG 6- striving for universal access to clean water and sanitation, leaving no one behind.
She reiterated that the gathering served as a vital space for networking with policymakers, donors and stakeholders, helping forge partnerships that bolster utilities and enhance their capacities.
It also sought to among other things position GWOPA members to enable them emphasize the crucial role water management plays in sustainable urban development, climate adaptation and resilience.
In relation to Women’s Assembly at WUF12, she mentioned that there was a clarion call to advance gender equality in urban development while emphasizing the need for collaborative action and partnerships to create inclusive, equitable urban spaces.
It was recommended that ISODEC should reinforce its engagement in the water sector, particularly with Ghana Water Company Ltd and also consider collaborating with Water Justice Network to enhance visibility and impact in water and sanitation advocacy.
The Meeting, she noted, has provided her with “valuable learning and networking opportunities, setting the foundation for strengthened partnerships and initiatives in water and sanitation services.”
Source: Publicagenda.news
