By Agriculture Correspondent
African country’s and key water and sanitation stakeholders are convening in Harare for a two day workshop aimed at better equipping nations in availing sustainable water management solutions.
“I am convinced that addressing water, sanitation and hygiene contributes to sustainable development Goal 6 which requires that we ‘ensure availability and and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030’ in this region.” The Minister of Land Agriculture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Masuka said during the opening session.
The Government of Zimbabwe further called for a strategic approach in meeting the ambition of sustainable water management through management of discussion from the UN Water Conference framework.
“More importantly, we should therefore focus on some broader thematic areas to guide the discussion. The United Nations has identified five thematic areas that shall guide deliberations at the UN 2023 conference as, water for health, sustainable development, climate, resilience and environment, cooperation and water action decade.” The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Peter Haritatos said.
The Director of Land and Water for the Food and Agricultural Organisation, Lifeng Li emphasised that the dialogue should better equip states with opportunity to address their water challenges through establishment of national water roadmaps that could better prepare them for food security and climate change mitigation.
The meeting realised the central role water had in sustainable and the general improvement of social and economic conditions of the general population.
“ The UN Secretary General’s plan on the Water Action decade, (2018- 2028) recognizes water as being at the heart of these recent agreements. Water is a dealmaker for the SDG’s and for the health and prosperity of people and planet.” United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon said.
The meeting is expected to realise knowledge exchange among nations that is expected to see them coming up with better informed plans based on experience and expertise sharing.
The meeting is attended by representatives from most African countries which are expected to have national water roadmaps by 2024 as the world seeks to reduce environmental protection and food security.
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