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Water for Growth and Development and Poverty Alleviation (WfGD)
Sunday 17 August
Afternoon Seminar
Convenors: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in collaboration with: European Union (EU), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), World Bank (WB), International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF)
The main objective of this event is to create awareness of the role of water as an essential input for Water for Growth and Development (WfG&D), which is increasingly receiving world-wide attention. The South African government recognises that the continuing development and good management of water resources in a water scarce environment is critical for successful wealth generation, risk mitigation and equitable economic development to take place. Water is also seen as a major catalyst for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of related sectors such as health and social development.
South Africa remains a water scarce country and is one of few countries that regards water as a basic human rights issue, an approach that has attracted a lot of interest internationally. The government focuses on both economic growth and poverty alleviation, including accelerating the delivery of basic services to all, which will ensure that the development is sustainable. South Africa needs to create an environment within which a balance between social, economic, development and environmental imperatives and relative economic and social values are ensured. The Water for Growth and Development (WfG&D) concept encompasses this and is aimed at an approach to ensure integrated action and reform towards this.
Seminar Programme 13:30-17:00, Room K21
Chairperson: Ms. Thandeka Mbassa, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa
13:30 |
Opening and Welcome Ms. Thandeka Mbassa, DWAF, South Africa |
13:15 |
Water security in Africa and its contributions to socio economic growth of the continent Mr. Eddie Kwesiga, African Development Bank, Kenya |
13:30 |
Ten minutes video on: WfG& |
13:45 |
A South African Case Study on WfG&D Long Term Economic Benefits: Water Allocation Reform (WAR), Licensing and Regulations Mr. Kalinga Pelpola, Dept. of Water Affairs and Mr. Phera Ramoeli (SADC Water Division) |
14:00 |
Balancing Investment in Institutions and Infrastructure Ms. Kathy Eales, Water Research Commission, South Africa |
14:15 |
Small Scale Versus Large Scale Infrastructure Investment Dr. Barbara Van Koppen, International Water Management Institute, South Africa |
14:30 |
Learning from European Union water directives and Catchments management and Science, Research & knowledge sharing as enablers for WfG&D Dr. Marius Claassen, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa |
15:00 |
Deliberations and wayforward |
16:45 |
Closing Remarks Ms.Thandeka Mbassa |
17:00 |
Close of Seminar |
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