New Delhi, In a significant development, India spearheaded the launch of the ‘Global River Cities Alliance’ (GRCA) at the Indian Pavilion in Dubai during COP28. Inspired by India’s River Cities Alliance, this global initiative includes nine countries: Denmark, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan, Australia, Netherlands, Egypt, and Ghana.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga, under the Jal Shakti ministry, and the National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA) from the Housing and Urban Affairs ministry, will act as the Secretariat for the GRCA. This alliance aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity development, high-level advocacy, and bilateral interactions among member cities.
Officials from multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank expressed their support for the initiative, focusing on collaborative efforts for effective river management.
G Asok Kumar, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, emphasized that the launch of GRCA signifies global recognition of the importance of river management. India is proud to lead these efforts, showcasing a commitment to addressing shared challenges on a global scale.
The River Cities Alliance, a successful Indian initiative, currently boasts 142 member cities, providing a dedicated platform for discussions on enhancing the condition of urban rivers within their administrative boundaries.
In a related collaboration, on December 8, the National Mission for Clean Ganga signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative during COP28. This collaboration aims to foster discussions on a comprehensive water monitoring program, best practices for renaturing urban areas, and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable urban development.
