Global River Cities Alliance (GCRA) launched

The GRCA was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): It is responsible for implementing India's NamamiGange program, has taken a significant stride in river conservation and sustainable water management.
• Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): This was achieved through the launch of the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

Expanding Reach of River Cities Alliance:

• River Cities Alliance : The GRCA builds upon the existing River Cities Alliance formed by NMCG in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), which includes 142 Indian River cities as members.
• Inclusion of river cities: The global expansion of this alliance saw the inclusion of river cities such as Den Haag from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok from Hungary.

International Collaboration:

• Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP): In a groundbreaking move, the River Cities Alliance (RCA) had previously signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with 124 member cities of the Mississippi River Towns and Cities Initiative in the United States.
  • This collaboration marks the first-of-its-kind alliance in the world, underlining the shared commitment to global river conservation.

NMCG's Statement:

• Significance of the GRCA: The NMCG, in a statement, highlighted the significance of the GRCA launch as a momentous step in global efforts towards river conservation and sustainable water management.

Quoting PM NarendraModi's Vision:

• New river planning: G Asok Kumar, Director General of NMCG, quoted Prime Minister NarendraModi's call for new river planning.
• Rivers in urban planning: Stressing the importance of mainstreaming rivers in urban planning without a regulatory mindset, Kumar emphasized the need for a holistic approach to ensure the sustainability of river ecosystems.

Global River Cities Alliance's Role:

• Global commitment: The launch of GRCA signifies a global commitment to coordinate efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of rivers.
• Crucial Roles: As an alliance with international representation, it will play a crucial role in developing strategies, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration among cities facing similar challenges related to river ecosystems.

First-of-its-Kind Initiative:

• Varied Continents: The inclusion of cities from different continents in the GRCA, coupled with the MoCP signed with the Mississippi River Townsand Cities Initiative, underscores the uniqueness of this initiative.
• Bringing together cities across the globe: By bringing together cities across the globe, the GRCA aims to create a platform for collective action and knowledge exchange in the pursuit of common goals related to river conservation.

Way Forward:

• Global pursuit of river conservation: The launch of the Global River Cities Alliance by the National Mission for Clean Ganga marks a historic moment in the global pursuit of river conservation.
• Venues for innovative solutions: As cities from diverse regions unite under this alliance, it opens avenues for innovative solutions, collaborative initiatives, and the exchange of expertise to address the challenges faced by river ecosystems worldwide.
• Sustainable water management: The GRCA is poised to become a catalyst for positive change and sustainable water management on a global scale.