NEWTON SIBANDA
28 October, 2011
STAKEHOLDERS in the water and sanitation sectors through an initiative dubbed ‘The Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE)’ will be hosting a forum on ensuring sustainable and sound water management in Zambia through stakeholder participation.
The forum, to be held at Lusaka’s Golfview Hotel from 7th to 8th November 2011 will seek to identify scientific and policy options to adapt to a new reality
This is in recognition of the fact that water plays an important role in all sectors of the economy and is critical to food and agriculture, energy, health, industry, transport, tourism development and other sectors. It is also in recognition of the fact that despite Zambia’s water sector reforms having resulted in the development and implementation of institutional and regulatory frameworks, the country still faces challenges in bringing together different stakeholders to share and build networks in the management and use of water.
The key stakeholders working in the water and related sectors include government ministries such as Lands, Energy and Water Development; and Local Government, Housing Early Education and Environmental Protection.
The forum is envisaged to become an annual event.
The objective of the forum is to bring together various national and international stakeholders, to discuss and share best practices on water management and mainstreaming water as a core component of economic development.
Issues to be addressed include knowledge and research, policy formulation and implementation, adaptation of strategies that would ensure sustainability and sound water management in Zambia.
In addition, the roles of government, private sector, non-governmental organizations and cooperating partners will be addressed.
Several speakers have been identified to tackle critical thematic areas during the forum.
They include Lands, Energy and Water Development minister Chris Yaluma who will be addressing ‘Policy, Institutional and Legal Frameworks governing water in Zambia: Status and plans for the future.’
Finance and National Planning minister Alexander Chikwanda will address the ‘Economic Benefits of Water in Zambia’s Development: Status and Plans for the future.
