Latest news with #IWMI
Zawya
16 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
IWMI partners ECOWAS, Sierra Leone to boost regional water security
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a global research-for-development organisation focused on solving water challenges in developing countries, has announced two major partnerships aimed at enhancing water security, climate resilience, and policy innovation across West Africa and the Sahel. A five-year agreement was signed with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to strengthen the governance of transboundary water resources across member states. The partnership will support the co-development of digital tools for drought and flood forecasting, facilitate knowledge and data exchange through regional platforms, and promote biodiversity conservation and resilience within agrifood systems. IWMI also formalised a new collaboration with Sierra Leone's National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA), centred on research, innovation, and capacity building for sustainable water and land management. The agreement with NWRMA, also spanning five years, will support the development of early warning systems, knowledge-sharing platforms, inclusive governance structures, and climate-smart tools to bolster water security in the country. The memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed on 19 May 2025 in Accra, Ghana, and are seen as a significant step towards advancing regional cooperation on water and climate issues. 'These partnerships signal a shared regional commitment to science-driven, inclusive water governance. By aligning efforts, we can tackle climate risks, advance food and water security, and drive meaningful impact across the region,' said Olufunke Cofie, IWMI's Africa Director for Research Impact. Director of the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, Kouassi Kouakou Alexis, also commended the collaboration, saying, 'It is great for us to have this kind of support from IWMI to do our best for the ECOWAS community. Let us continue to work together to have a concrete impact on our populations through water management in the region.' Similarly, the Director of Hydrological Services at NWRMA, Mohamed Sahr E. Juanah, remarked, 'Sierra Leone has many water challenges and when looking for partnerships to solve this problem, there is no better organisation than IWMI. This is just the start of a long journey, however, with unity and determination we believe we can achieve our goals.' The signing ceremony was attended by IWMI's management and members of its Board of Governors, alongside representatives from ECOWAS, NWRMA, and other regional stakeholders committed to enhancing climate resilience and sustainable water management. The partnerships align with IWMI's West and Central Africa Roadmap 2024–2030, which prioritises resilient agrifood systems, transboundary water governance, climate-risk mitigation, digital innovation, water infrastructure, circular economy principles, gender equality, social inclusion, and capacity building. These initiatives are expected to harness earth observation technologies, inclusive research, and regional cooperation to address urgent challenges such as water scarcity, climate variability, and rural poverty.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
New climate plan launched to boost resilience in Tamil Nadu's drought and flood-prone districts
CGIAR, a global network of agricultural research centres, has launched a new Climate Action Plan for Tamil Nadu to help communities better manage climate risks, especially in districts that frequently experience droughts or floods. At the launch in Chennai on Friday, Giriraj Amarnath, Principal Researcher, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Research, IWMI, said that drought-prone districts such as Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Virudhunagar often suffer from water scarcity, long dry spells, and agricultural distress. The Climate Action Plan will align with the ongoing Tamil Nadu Drought Mitigation Project to address these challenges. On the other hand, areas such as Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Tirunelveli are increasingly vulnerable to river and urban flooding, particularly during the Northeast monsoon. To tackle these issues, the programme will introduce integrated climate risk management approaches, provide real-time weather and farming guidance through digital platforms, and promote anticipatory actions to prepare for extreme weather events, Mr. Amarnath said. As part of the next steps, CGIAR, formerly known as Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, will identify pilot sites and focus areas such as digital advisory services, drought management, and community-led adaptation initiatives. The plan is expected to benefit tens of thousands of farmers by giving them access to digital climate advisories and climate-smart agriculture solutions. 'Water is at the heart of tackling climate challenges, as it has a direct impact on the food system. We are looking to improve water management at different levels, from watersheds to individual farms. The programme will consider how much nutrition, crop yield, and income are generated per unit of water, helping to promote more efficient and sustainable farming in water-scarce regions,' he added. At the launch event, Sudha Ramen, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission said that better research, and access to clear, visual data would allow local administrators to make informed decisions and take more effective actions. Alok Sikka, IWMI's Country Representative for India and Bangladesh, added that the Climate Action Plan would be implemented in close collaboration with departments such as Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Water Resources, Disaster Management, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, along with the Institute for Water Studies in Chennai.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Climate action initiative launched in Odisha
1 2 Kolkata: In a significant step towards building climate-resilient, inclusive, and low-emission development in Odisha, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM), recently launched the CGIAR Climate Action Program . The initiative was formally inaugurated by Anu Garg, additional chief secretary, department of water resources and development commissioner, Odisha. The event also witnessed the presence of Kamal Lochan Mishra, executive director, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and A K Nayak, deputy director general (natural resource management), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The launch event saw a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from state departments, academic and research institutions, development agencies, and civil society organisations. Discussions centred on strengthening climate risk management , promoting digital climate services, and fostering community-led adaptation and innovation. Recognised as one of India's most climate-vulnerable states, Odisha faces frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods and droughts, which threaten agriculture, water security and rural livelihoods. The CGIAR Climate Action Program aims to support Odisha's climate response by delivering science-based, technology-driven solutions and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration. Key focus areas include strategic foresight and early warning systems, development of low-emission food systems, climate finance mobilisation, and alignment with Odisha's state action plan on climate change. The initiative also envisions identification of priority geographies and sectors for early implementation, capacity-building initiatives involving govt, academia and civil society, establishment of an advisory group to steer implementation and scaling, and the creation of long-term partnerships and funding frameworks to ensure sustained impact.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
UK-funded tower to boost climate data monitoring
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has inaugurated an Eddy Covariance Flux Tower at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in Chakwal, Punjab. The tower, built under the UK-government-funded "Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan" (WRAP) programme, aims to enhance Pakistan's ability to measure crucial environmental parameters, such as temperature, rainfall, and agricultural data, essential for adapting to climate change's impacts. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Anna Balance, Senior Climate Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Global Director of Water, Food, and Ecosystems at IWMI; and Nimra Zaheer, Group Head at the Balance emphasized the importance of cutting-edge technology in driving progress in the agricultural sector. "The FCDO is committed to increasing knowledge dissemination to ensure maximum awareness and drive meaningful change across communities in Pakistan," she stated. Dr Mohsin Hafeez highlighted the benefits of the flux tower, which will provide reliable and precise information to farmers, researchers, and local irrigation officers.
