Knowledge exchange and capacity building in deltas: experiences of the Delta Alliance

Abstract Deltas are areas where pressures (e.g. climate change, rapid urbanization, water related shocks and stressors) as well as opportunities (e.g. economic growth, delta-city metabolism, sustainable development) collide to an unprecedented extent. The deltas are considered to become the most vital and critical hotspots in the world for sustainable development. Consequently, immediate acceleration in hands-on knowledge partnerships is required for sustainable low-carbon emission and resilient investments in delta areas. The mission of the Delta Alliance is to improve the resilience of the deltas in the world through knowledge sharing and capacity building. In this paper we elaborate on the various roles that the Delta Alliance has played and how this has been of significance for other developing delta regions in the world. Some of the successes and lessons learned are highlighted, with a particular focus on the African deltas. We argue that increasing investments in knowledge sharing and capacity building among - and with - those working in the deltas for creating equitable and trusted partnerships are a necessary condition for an integrated approach to the challenges in the deltas.