On 22 May 2025, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) will bring together its worldwide network for a special two-part online event focused on governance, strategic dialogue, and global leadership.
The event opens with the GWP General Assembly 2025 (Network Meeting of Partners) — a closed session open only to registered GWP Partners and GWP staff (as observers). The General Assembly will focus on shaping GWP’s future direction, including the presentation of the new Strategy for 2026–2030, updates on GWP governance, and discussion of proposed improvements to the GWP and GWPO governing Statutes.
Immediately following, GWP will convene the High-Level Leaders Water Dialogue in the context of G20: Towards the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, a public session open to all stakeholders — Partners, development actors, and the broader water community. This dialogue will spotlight global leadership and bold action on climate-resilient water investments, accelerating momentum towards the Inaugural Water Investments Summit in the context of the G20 Presidency of South Africa.
In a demonstration of true North–South partnership and collaboration, the event will be co-hosted by the GWPO Secretariat in Stockholm, Sweden, and the new GWPO HQ Transition Office in Pretoria, South Africa — a milestone in GWP’s global evolution and a key step in advancing the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments.
Part 1: GWP General Assembly 2025 (Network Meeting)
📅 22 May at 14:30 – 15.30 CEST
Open to registered GWP Partners and GWP staff (as observers)
Agenda (download in PDF)
A key governance session featuring:
● Presentation of the 2024 Annual and Financial Reports
● Dialogue on the new GWP Strategy 2026–2030
● Discussion of proposed improvements to the GWP and GWPO Statutes, including the invitation of new partners to join GWPO founding states governments and intergovernmental organisations (IGOs). Unofficial translations for reference only: French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian.
✍️ REGISTER (deadline to register: 21 May)
High-Level Leaders Water Dialogue (G20 Context)
📅 22 May at 15:30 – 17:00 CEST
Open to all stakeholders and the public
Agenda (download in PDF)
GWPO—together with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the GWP global network—will convene a High-Level Leaders Water Dialogue in the context of the G20 to serve as a foundational consultation toward the establishment of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
The Dialogue will:
● Showcase transformative water solutions that advance G20 priorities on economic growth, climate action, and financing for development.
● Serve as a consultative platform to shape the Council’s objectives, and strategic priorities.
● Highlight the status of the world’s water resources and how to sustainably finance water and mobilise domestic finance and sustain global commitments from G20 governments, multilateral development banks, private sector partners, and philanthropic institutions.
● The Dialogue will also spotlight the upcoming Inaugural Water Investment Summit, scheduled for August 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. This Summit aims to mobilize at least USD 30 billion annually to accelerate water and sanitation investment across Africa.
Featured Speakers:
Opening session: Mr. Alex Simalabwi, CEO, GWPO & Executive Secretary, GWP; Hon. Pablo Bereciartua, Minister of Infrastructure, Buenos Aires, Argentina & Chair, GWP; H.E. Retno Marsudi, UN Special Envoy on Water; Former Foreign Minister, Indonesia (video address)
Keynote address: H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania; Co-Chair, Global Outlook Council for Africa; Chair, GWP Southern Africa
Interactive Dialogue with Leaders and Stakeholders: Dr. Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere, WMO; Mr. Henk Ovink, Co-Chair, UN 2023 Water Conference; Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics of Water; Hon. Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa (TBD); Ms. Ildiko Ipolyi, Regional Coordinator, GWP Central and Eastern Europe; Mr. Péter Kovács, Water Director, General Directorate of Water Management, Hungary; Mr. Leonardo Manus, Executive Director, Water & Sanitation, City of Cape Town
✍️ REGISTER
This two-part event offers GWP Partners the opportunity to shape GWP’s future.If you would like to attend both sessions, please be sure to register for each one separately using the links above.
We look forward to welcoming you — from Stockholm, Pretoria, and across the GWP network.
Page last edited: 4/28/2025