When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. As we mark World Water Day 2024 and think about its ‘Water for Peace’ theme, we take a look at our Clean Oceans Project Identification and Preparation (COPIP) programme and the work it has been doing across sub-Saharan Africa to support countries to reduce the amount of plastics entering the oceans.
The COPIP team identifies, assesses and prepares for implementation, solid waste, wastewater and stormwater management projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, in both the public and private sectors. We are pursuing this agenda along with target promoters: local authorities, municipalities and their public utilities; regional, national and local organisations; and private companies involved in waste and water management.
In the process, we are ensuring knowledge transfer in project development, project management, financing, operation and maintenance techniques to public and private sector project sponsors and other government counterparts.
In November 2023, COPIP hosted a side event in Nairobi to the World Circular Economy Forum, where achievements and activities from the programme were showcased, discussed and offered as knowledge and experience to other regions and countries looking to limit waste plastics entering watercourses.
Below are three videos from the event that feature:
- Alex Kubasu from WWF-Kenya, presenting on the COPIP-supported Segregation of Waste at Source pilot project currently ongoing in Mombasa
- Kenneth Otieno of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute (KMFRI), presenting on the COPIP-supported Taka Connect Regional App. The app supports transition to circular economy through improved coordination in waste value chains.
- Eva Roben, the COPIP solid waste management expert, on improving waste management in Tanga City, Tanzania.