NEWS

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) held a workshop on “Building Climate Resilience in the Bangladesh Delta: Managing for Effective Water Solutions,” which considered Bangladesh’s present vulnerabilities to climate change and discussed long-term adaptation strategies for the coastal delta areas of Bangladesh.

According to GWP, Bangladesh’s low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, with projected impacts including: increases in extreme weather conditions, including cyclones; decreased agriculture yields; and sea-level rise. To address these challenges, the workshop discussed water management strategies to increase climate resilience, and ensure food security and livelihoods in coastal delta areas.

Participants considered cross-sectoral approaches to build climate resilience, including integrated approaches to climate, disaster, land and water management. The workshop included technical sessions on: objective setting for pilot projects; problem analysis for Bangladesh’s coastal region; and sustainable management in Bangladesh’s Delta. Over 100 participants, including high-level climate, planning and water ministry officials, representatives from the private sector and other stakeholders attended the workshop, which took place on 27 February 2013.

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 resource management (IWRM). [GWP Press Release]