The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening the intersection of water security and protecting public health across the region. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Chair of the GWP-C, Professor Paulette Bynoe and Executive Director for CARPHA, Dr. Lisa Indar on Tuesday 16 September 2025.
“By combining GWP-C’s expertise in water resources management with CARPHA’s leadership in health, the partnership aims to protect communities better and build resilience across the region,” expressed Professor Bynoe. The agreement between the two regional organisations, arrives at a critical juncture, as Caribbean countries continue to confront mounting challenges from climate change, waterborne diseases, and extreme weather events.
Dr. Lisa Indar indicated that, “Partnerships, such as this one, are at the core of CARPHA’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan themed ‘Stronger Together’. The partnership with GWP-C leverages over five (5) decades of expertise in water sector leadership first as the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute and thereafter the CARPHA Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Department. Using the One Health Approach, CARPHA integrates key sectors to balance and optimise the health of humans, animals and environment to optimal health outcomes”.
The MOU allows the two organisations to collaborate on projects, training, shared monitoring and knowledge-sharing that addresses the vital link between safe water and healthy lives, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), related to clean water, sanitation and good health.
Under this agreement the GWP-C and CARPHA are expected to develop regional guidelines for potable water, support CARPHA Member States in adopting standards for drinking water, strengthen water quality monitoring, surveillance, and data systems for evidence-based decision-making, advance training and research on integrated water resources management (IWRM) and climate change adaptation and promote public education, citizen science, and awareness initiatives linking water, health, and climate resilience.
The partnership highlights the importance of collective action to advance the Regional Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Framework Roadmap of Actions and reaffirms the commitment of both Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to advance a healthier, safer, and more climate-resilient Caribbean.
About the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C):
Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) is committed to supporting Caribbean countries in the sustainable management of their water resources by fully promoting and applying Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the region.
About the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA):
CARPHA, CARICOM’s health lead, established and mandated by CARICOM Heads of Government, as the regional coordinating entity for public health, serves a crucial role in protecting and promoting public health using Caribbean-tailored interventions and well-coordinated approaches with agencies and partners to best serve the region.
