COP27 in review: Partnerships for future-proofing at the Australian Pavilion

In person Water for Women team, partners and guest speakers at this session at COP27. From right: Phil Duncan (Alluvium Consulting, AWP), Katharine Cross (AWP), Dr. Alison Baker (Water for Women), Joanna Mott (Water for Women), Tanvi Oza (WaterAid Australia), Sonka Hofbauer (SNV) and Mia Cusack (Water for Women)

Building inclusive communities for resilient water and WASH in the Asia-Pacific region

On Water & Gender Day at the Australian Pavilion in COP27, Water for Women, Australian Water Partnership and many partners came together in a hybrid in-person and pre-recorded session to share the message of the importance of partnerships for future-proofing.

The session explored the nexus between gender, climate change, water and WASH through an inclusive development lens, bringing in voices from Asia Pacific from the partners we work with.

To effectively address climate change, we must work towards changes in inequitable gender and social norms that hold us all back. Climate resilience depends on improved and inclusive water resources and WASH, improved water and WASH depends on good systems, good systems are made up of diverse people, and people are driven by norms.

Equitable access to WASH and WRM is a critical building block for a climate-resilient future, it is also an opportunity for deep, transformative change within communities and institutions.

This solid foundation creates socially cohesive communities, equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare for, respond, and adapt to climate change impacts.  Strong partnerships support integrated systems that bring diverse stakeholders and sectors together to facilitate solutions for addressing climate risks and promoting climate-resilience.

This session brought important learning on partnerships and practice from across the water and WASH spectrums including diverse voices across the Asia Pacific, who reinforced the pivotal role of inclusive water & WASH in achieving not only SDG6, but all Sustainable Development Goals and a climate-resilient future for all.

Watch the session recording

Catch the voices of Asia-Pacific that featured during this session

Speakers from across the region

The session included insights from speakers on the ground as well as pre-recorded partner voices (see above), taking the audience on a journey across the Asia-Pacific region. Our sincere thanks to all partners, both featured and behind the scenes who provided their insights as part of this session. This included:

• Sabitra Dhakal and Ratan Budhathoki (SNV Nepal)
• Sophie Mangai (East Sepik Council of Women, working with WaterAid in Papua New Guinea)
• Akhila Sivadas and Ravie Kiran (CFAR India)
• Dechen Wangmo (Hon. Minister for Health, Bhutan)
• Ugyen Wangchuk (SNV Bhutan)
• Wahyu Triwahyudi (Yayasan Plan International Indonesia)
• Tema Wickham (Plan International), Collin Benjamin (SINU) and Brendon Teava (Live & Learn Environmental Education)

You can catch some of their insights on this COP27 wrap thread.

Speakers on the ground at COP27