GWP delegation at CRIC 23
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), through their joint Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), were proud to actively contribute to the 23rd Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) in Panama.
This engagement marks another milestone in a decade-long partnership with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which co-established IDMP in 2013. Since its inception, IDMP and UNCCD have championed a shared agenda: driving a paradigm shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, risk-based drought management. This joint effort has become a true success story – built on collaboration with countries, partners, and communities across the globe.
A strong presence at CRIC23
Throughout CRIC23, GWP delegation engaged in multiple side events, bilateral discussions and technical exchanges, showcasing its deep collaboration with Parties, UN agencies, and a wide network of partners. These interactions highlighted GWP’s efforts and IDMP’s decade of practical experience, its technical strengths, and – most importantly – its partnership-driven approach.
A major milestone highlighted at CRIC23 was the launch of the new UNCCD–IDMP online training course on Pillar 2 of Integrated Drought Management (Risk and Impact Assessment). Hosted on the UNCCD’s Communities of Learning and Practice (CLP) platform – and developed jointly by UNCCD and GWP/IDMP, this training marks an important step forward in expanding global technical capacity for drought risk assessment, aiming to equip countries with the knowledge and tools needed to shift from reactive crisis response towards proactive, risk-informed drought management.
Panel discussion on online course launch during side event “From Past to the Future: 20 Years of Drought Lessons and New Learning Paths”
The UNCCD Communities of Learning and Practice platform, which GWP supports in design and implementation, continue to grow as a dynamic and inclusive space for peer exchange, capacity development, and South–South learning. These communities are increasingly becoming the backbone of practitioner-to-practitioner learning within the Convention, linking national experts, basin authorities, researchers, youth, and civil society in a common effort to strengthen drought resilience.
This learning ecosystem comprising moderated exchanges, technical discussions, case study competitions and online courses, illustrates how the partnership between UNCCD and GWP is not only producing technical tools, but also nurturing the human and institutional capacities that make long-term drought resilience possible.
Panelists at side event “Farmer and Pastoralist-centric Solutions to Managing Droughts, Land and Safeguarding Livelihoods”
A decade of applying the three pillars of integrated drought management
IDMP’s work is structured around the three pillars of integrated drought management:
1. Drought monitoring and early warning
2. Risk and impact assessment
3. Mitigation, preparedness, and response planning
These pillars have been successfully applied across many countries and regions. Together, they form a flexible and robust framework that supports countries in making the shift from responding to drought emergencies to preventing and reducing drought risks before impacts occur. The approach continues to guide the global community as drought events intensify and become more complex.
Partnership as the foundation of success
IDMP’s achievements are rooted in partnership. Neither GWP nor WMO, its co-conveners, could deliver transformative change alone. Drought is a multi-sectoral, cascading hazard that demands collective action across institutions, sectors, and communities. This collaborative ethos was visible throughout CRIC23, where partners came together to exchange knowledge, identify emerging needs, and shape future priorities.
One year ago, IDMP, UNCCD and partners convened the DR+10 Conference at WMO headquarters in Geneva, gathering more than 1,000 participants from 143 countries. The conference reflected on what has worked over the past decade, but more importantly, charted what must change in the next ten years. It launched a process, from Geneva to Riyadh, that continues to guide global drought resilience efforts today.
What we heard then in Geneva, and again now in Panama, is clear: Many countries cannot afford to wait. They are already overwhelmed by drought, often while simultaneously responding to floods or other compounding hazards.
Supporting emerging UNCCD processes and global partnerships
In this context, IDMP, along with GWP and WMO, welcomes ongoing initiatives under the UNCCD umbrella, even as formal negotiations face temporary delays. The partnership strongly supports the Tafaul process, aimed at helping Parties move beyond the current stalemate, and stands ready to contribute as required.
Both organisations are proud members and contributors to the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) and continue to support the development of the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), including through advisory structures. WMO also serves on the Steering Committee of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, with both GWP and WMO committed to supporting its operationalisation.
IDMP is further supporting the work of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI), particularly in advancing global understanding of the links between aridity and drought and improving monitoring capabilities, an effort guided by COP decision 16 from COP16.
Panelists of side event “From Past to the Future: 20 Years of Drought Lessons and New Learning Paths”
Scaling action through finance and implementation
Together with the UNCCD Global Mechanism and numerous partners, GWP and WMO through IDMP are preparing and implementing Adaptation Fund regional projects across five regions, targeting 24 countries. These represent over USD 100 million in funding requests, with more proposals in development. Through these programmes, IDMP is directly supporting countries to co-design and implement practical, evidence-based drought resilience interventions that strengthen livelihoods and ecosystems.
Panelists after CRIC 23 Open Session: “Drought Resilience”
Looking ahead: Jointly scaling up support for countries’ drought resilience
IDMP will continue to support UNCCD and its Parties in every aspect of integrated drought management. We stand ready to work with countries and partners, mobilise funding, and co-develop the solutions needed to build long-term, sustainable drought resilience.
The journey from Geneva to Riyadh, and beyond, is one we undertake together. As drought risks intensify and compound with other hazards, partnership remains our strongest asset.
Dr. Valentin Aich, Sr. Water and Climate Specialist at GWP, making an official statement at the Open Dialogue on Drought session during UNCCD CRIC 23.