Only
proper management of critical groundwater resources will see the SADC Region
prosper as climate change impacts are increasingly experienced. This was the
reason behind the formation of the SADC-Groundwater Management Institute and
the first annual SADC Groundwater Conference, where by top groundwater experts,
policy makers, government officials, young professionals and students discussed
how to future-proof the region.
The
three-day conference, held by SADC-GMI at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo
Conference Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa closed on Friday, 28 September
2018. The conference theme was “Adapting to Climate Change in the SADC
Region through Water Security – A Focus on Groundwater”.
Groundwater is critical to the
future of agricultural and industrial sectors, and people in the region,
particularly in the rural areas, are largely dependent on it. It is also a
regional issue as countries in the region share aquifers. Collaboration on
water is critical for peace and socio-economic development in SADC.
The complexity and number of
role-players in the region has necessitated regional organisation and this
conference has made strides in ensuring information sharing and collaboration.
“Working together is crucial to water security as the effects of climate change
are increasingly felt,” said James Sauramba,
Executive Director of the SADC-Groundwater Management Institute.
Climate
change, poor maintenance, population growth, pollution, and rapid urbanisation
are all challenges impacting groundwater sustainability and development in the
region.
“We
hope the takeaways from the conference will help us build a strong research and
informational base to make decisions to ensure proper supply of water for
industrial and agricultural development. This is a crucial piece of the
puzzle in meeting future needs of our growing populations for food, water and
jobs,” said Sauramba.
The
conference provides a platform for all groundwater stakeholders to advance
knowledge sharing on sustainable management of groundwater at national and
transboundary levels across SADC members states. Sauramba said “The
conference provided a platform to discuss and contribute to international
development on groundwater.”
Monitoring,
maintenance and development of groundwater infrastructure is key to future
proofing the region. “We are particularly grateful to our sponsors who
have generously supported this event and made it a reality. We would also like
to say thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural SADC Groundwater
Conference” said Sauramba
The keynote speakers for the
conference included Dr. Karen G. Villholth (IMWI-SA), Prof. Jason Gurdak
(UNESCO – IHP), Dr. Roger Parsons (Parsons & Associates), Dhesigen Naidoo
(Water Research Commission, South Africa), Dr. Callist Tindimugaya
(International Association of Hydrologists) and Gavin Kode (Western Cape
Government, South Africa). Together they tackled groundwater’s critical role in
dealing with development, economic and environmental challenges.
SADC-GMI
is hosting the conference in collaboration with UNESCO, IGRAC, the Government
of South Africa, IWMI, GWP-SA and GRIPP.
The
groundwater experts look forward to the recommendations being taken up by the
African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) in conjunction with the African
Union Commission in the upcoming meeting “Toward Achieving Water Security and
Safely Managed Sanitation for Africa” to be held from October 29 to November 2,
2018 in Libreville, Gabon.
