This is a copy of a post I shared on LinkedIn, 5 Jan 2026. Reading the evaluation of GWP that I write about below was a great way to start the year, from a personal-professional point of view. /Alan

Sometimes, all too rarely, you get to see documented proof that your work has contributed to making a positive difference. It’s a great feeling. Today, after reading this formal, five-year evaluation, I felt it.

Just over a year ago, I retired from my final professional position, as CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (a UN-like intergovernmental agency) and Executive Secretary of the global network/partnership itself. I handed the reins over to the brilliant Alex Simalabwi who is leading GWP through a massive transformation now.

I’m proud of my time at GWP and the work I did there, but mostly I’m proud to have been associated with this extraordinary, under-recognised organisation, and all the wonderful people in it.

And now Sida (which is the Swedish aid agency and also where I formerly worked as a Department Head and deputy to the Director-General) has published an extensive, detailed, multi-volume evaluation of GWP’s global work and impact on water security and sustainability over the previous five years.

It’s an amazing evaluation.

I know, because I had to read many evaluations in my previous role at Sida. Rarely have I read such a positive assessment.

From 2020-2025, GWP delivered. Made change. Built capacity. Supported investment processes. Helped people and institutions on several continents get better at managing one of the greatest and highest priority challenges we face in a climate-crisis world: securing enough clean water, for people and nature, for now, and for future generations.

Heartfelt congratulations to all my former colleagues at GWP – Steering Committee, management, staff and partner organisations – for this wonderful ”proof” that you have done fantastic work, often struggling in exceptionally difficult financial and political circumstances. You always knew. We all knew that the work was deeply necessary, important, and of high quality. Now you have an external, government-ordered, critical review (evaluators are always highly critical in their perspective, that’s their job) coming to the conclusion that what you’ve done has ”contributed to systemic transformation” (high praise!) and clearly ”advanced the governance and management of water resources.”

Most satisfyingly, the evaluators recognise the critical global value of the partnership itself: the way GWP is bringing people together, creating strength and progress on water, around the world, through broad-based cooperation.

I hope this wonderful evaluation result brings with it a great lift in both spirits and financing for GWP. My former colleagues deserve it. And the world truly needs it. More than ever.

Direct download of PDF from Sida website:
https://cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/2025/12/23112158/62831_DE2025_13a_Final-report_Implementation-Global-Water-Partnership_webb.pdf