Industry heavyweights gather in Boksburg to tackle world’s water resources
A United Nations High Level Panel On Water (HLPW) consultation was hosted by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP) recently at the Birchwood Hotel.
The Global Water Partnership is a network of 3 000 institutional partners united by their desire to manage the world’s water resources sustainably for people, economic growth and the environment.
The consultation was the first of six global regional consultations to valuing water.
The purpose of the regional consultations was to obtain views from a wide array of regional and country-level stakeholders on the proposed HLPW Valuing Water principles.
These consultations aimed at building awareness and examining the regional and country-level relevance of global perspectives and providing inputs, actions and recommendations that will enhance resolutions from the HLPW.
Welcoming the delegates, Director-General of Water and Sanitation Dan Mashitisho said the consultation was part of the roll-out of the HLPW that should assist in realising that globally there is a need to change the way water is viewed if the targets of sustainable development agenda were to be achieved.
Ambassador of Netherlands, Marisa Gerards, said that it is vital for every delegate to use this platform to be creative and to stick together to fight the water crises.
Speaking on behalf of Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane, Faith Muthambi, minister of Public service and administration expressed appreciation for the consultation that would change the narrative approach of the water sector globally.
Muthambi said it was critical and important for the region to participate inclusively in support of 11 heads of state who are panel members of the HLPW.
She added that the panel presents a unique political opportunity to solicit a buy-in and express how such principles on valuing water that could contribute positively to respective regions.
“Our gathering here today creates a platform for the representatives of different governments and organisations to share national perspectives and positions on this important issue that talks to our different policy positions and legislative imperatives should be considered in decision-making on this critical topic called Valuing Water,” Muthambi said.
Other consultations are set to be hosted in Mexico, Peru, Tajikistan and Bangladesh.
