Today in the USA we celebrate Black Friday Eve, the holiday formerly known as Thanksgiving Day. BFE serves as the opening of the weekend before Cyber Monday, which then spawns #GivingTuesday, on which we try to remember to what and how much we should give. I will be glad to help you out with your giving. Happy Thanksgiving!
On a more serious note I am glad to see that the USA does have a 2017 Global Water Strategy. This one must have slipped through during one of President Trump's Tweet tirades about LaVar Ball or the NFL.
Download US_Water_Strategy_2017
Executive Summary
There is a growing global water crisis that may increase disease, undermine economic growth, foster insecurity and state failure, and generally reduce the capacity of countries to advance priorities that support U.S. national interests. To address these challenges and contribute to a healthier, safer, and more prosperous world, the United States will work to support a water secure world where people have sustainable supplies of water of sufficient quantity and quality to meet human, economic, and ecosystem needs while managing risks from floods and droughts.
This work will be guided by four interconnected strategic objectives:
● Increasing sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, and the adoption of key hygiene behaviors;
● Encouraging the sound management and protection of freshwater resources;
● Promoting cooperation on shared waters; and,● Strengthening water-sector governance, financing, and institutions.
To achieve these objectives, the United States will provide technical assistance; make targeted investments in sustainable infrastructure and services; promote science, technology, and information; mobilize financial resources; engage diplomatically; and, strengthen partnerships and intergovernmental organizations. This will be achieved through direct assistance to countries, scientific and technical engagement, and support to international organizations, institutions, and partnerships. Foreign assistance can only provide a small portion of the funds needed to meet water and sanitation needs globally and must be used strategically to mobilize financial resources from host country governments, the private sector, and capital markets, where appropriate. The United States will focus its efforts on countries and regions where needs and opportunities are greatest and where U.S. engagement can best protect our national security interests. This includes high priority countries designated under the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014 for October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018. Overviews of country- specific plans for implementing this Strategy in high priority countries and geographic areas are appended to this Strategy.
More than 17 U.S. government agencies and departments contributed to the development of this Strategy. Many contributed specific plans describing how they will work to implement this Strategy. Public and private stakeholders also contributed through public fora.
Implementation of the Global Water Strategy (the Strategy) will be coordinated in Washington, D.C. through the Interagency Water Working Group, and in the host countries through U.S. Missions. Together, we are working to create a more water secure world.
Could have used some more money. NOt much on climate change - adaptation and mitigation - vis-a-vis water.
Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving to my USA friends!
“There are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can’t think of one at the moment.” – Paul Theroux, referring to Paul Hewson (aka Bono), The Honolulu Advertiser, 8 January 2006
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