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Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Lindiwe Hendricks leaves for fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul
18 March 2009
South Africa, through the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), is participating in the fifth World Water Forum (WWF) in Istanbul Turkey from 16 to 22 March 2009.
Minister Lindiwe Hendricks is leading a delegation comprising senior officials including the Director-General of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to the forum this week. She leaves this evening Wednesday, 18 March. Through its participation in this important global event, South Africa seeks to enrich the international debate and to contribute meaningfully to discussions leading towards resolution of water management challenges facing developing economies. In addition the delegation aims to share with the world this country's unique initiatives and to learn from the experiences of other countries.
The World Water Forum is a triennial event organised by the World Water Council. The theme for the fifth WWF is, "Bridging divides for water" and it is intended through the forum to advance action to increase access to safe water and basic sanitation and to improve resources management in order to address the global challenges relating to water issues.
The forum will also serve as a platform for South Africa to market itself as host country of choice for the sixth WWF in 2012. Our country is bidding to host the forum and has been short listed together with France.
"I am confident we will win the bid, our country has a lot to offer the world and hosting this forum will present an opportunity for us to share our experiences on the global stage and to also learn from the experiences of other nations in dealing with various challenges," Hendricks said.
During the forum, the minister is to participate in a high level panel discussion on water and climate and she will also take part in a ministerial round table discussion on the topic, making water a tool for development in Africa and bridging the climate and water agendas.
Other members of the delegation are to contribute papers to discussions on water for food and poverty eradication, water disasters, improving access to sanitation, adaptation to climate change water for development in Africa and interaction between fresh waters and coastal water.
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
18 March 2009
Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (http://www.dwaf.gov.za)