GWOPA hosts the 5^th Global Water Operators' Partnerships Congress in Bonn 

Bonn, 23 May 2023-- The 5th Global Water Operators' Partnerships Congress organised by UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance (GWOPA) opened Monday at the Bonn World Conference Center Germany. 

Under the theme "Resilience in Challenging Times: Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Water and Wastewater Utilities," the Congress has brought together over 500 in-person and online participants from around the world.  

The Congress is being held soon after the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York in March and draws global attention to the Water Action Agenda adopted in New York, which consists of voluntary commitments by nations and stakeholders to achieve the SDGs such as commitments to expand the work of water operators, including a pledge submitted by GWOPA. 

Reliable water and sanitation services are critical in difficult times, yet conflict, rapid population growth, climate change, ecosystem degradation, and an enduring pandemic are complicating the work of operators. The congress provides an important platform for water, and sanitation practitioners to discuss how collaboration between operators can help them navigate these challenges. Water and sanitation operators are important actors in achieving SDG 6 and related goals. 

Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Michael Mlynár opened the Congress together with Katja Dörner, Lord Mayor of Bonn. Mlynár emphasized UN-Habitat and GWOPA's commitment to implement more of these partnerships between water and sanitation operators to improve health, livelihoods, water and food security, and wellbeing. He stated that “As the world gears up for the SDG Summit and the Summit of the Future, we count on your partnership and support to scale up these solidarity-based partnerships.” 

The Mayor pointed out that water operators in some contexts sacrifice their safety to deliver water access to people.  She highlighted the importance of the GWOPA platform to expand cooperation and capacity development, and that Bonn is proud to have GWOPA on board for our water, planet, and prosperity. 

Toily Kurbanov, UNV Executive Coordinator and Designated Official of Germany, underlined that water operator practitioners and partnerships are positioned at the core of promoting multilateralism, and can serve as vital catalysts for fostering collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders. 

A statement from His Royal Highness Prince El Hasan bin Talal, Jordan called attention to the need to maintain resilience in efficient water usage and management. Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister, Ministry of Water and Energy, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, highlighted that to promote the global water agenda effectively, it is crucial to grant water operator partnerships a voice to ensure the sustainable and equitable management of water resources. 

Tiresh Kathri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Government of Nepal, emphasised the adoption of digital technologies that hold the potential to alleviate the water and sanitation challenges confronting water utilities by enhancing efficiency and service delivery.  

The Congress will continue until 25 May and include field visits hosted by the city of Bonn.   

The GWOPA Secretariat, hosted by UN-Habitat, an international network for the mutual support of water operators through partnerships (Water Operators’ Partnerships) is based in Bonn. The Congress is held with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Federal Foreign Office.