AFRICA / NEPAD and the WRC Kevin Pietersen Director, KSA: Water Resource Management

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AFRICA / NEPAD and the WRC Kevin
PietersenDirector, KSA Water Resource Management
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Introduction

• WRCs transformation and restructuring has seen
  AFRICA/NEPAD as core to its strategy
• Rationale
• We believe that similar water capacity and
  competency is essential for the region to achieve
  similar water management levels.
• Water security and sustainability essential for
  the region and South Africa.

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The WRCs links to Africa

• A director has been tasked with this
  responsibility.
• The strategic approach to this initiatives are
• Partnerships sought need to benefit the WRC and
  must closely align to our core business
• Attract more resources for research and
  innovation through leverage and matching
  investment
• Create opportunities for collaborative research
  for South African researchers
• Showcase South African services and technologies
  in the water field
• Working closely with national departments to
  contribute towards SADC water and NEPAD
  initiatives

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NEPAD

• NEPAD process is recognised as a platform to
  engage other African countries. Water has links
  in many identified priority areas such as
• Energy
• Agriculture
• Water and Sanitation
• Environment
• Health
• Science and Technology
• Economic Growth

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Current projects in Africa

• Implementing Agent for SADC project Surface
  water assessment of Southern Africa
• The overall aim for this project is to improve
  the ability of the member states to make surface
  water resource assessments
• Disaster preparedness and vulnerability reduction
  in the lower Limpopo Basin
• The WRC took part in the planning of this
  UNEP-GEF project
• Great African Rift Development Strategy (GARDS)
  water and sanitation contact

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Education and training

• The University of Stellenbosch, Polymer Science
  Institute (a WRC funded Research Centre in
  membrane technologies) awarded contract by Libya
  to
• To improve Libya's membrane desalination
  capabilities trough training and research of
  their scientist

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Networking in Africa

• Contribution of the Accra declaration leading
  into WSSD
• Assisted and facilitated the Water Supply and
  Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSC) WASH
  campaign at the WSSD
• Assisted DWAF in facilitating of Afrisan
  Ministerial Conference
• Local Coordinator and Regional Coordinator of
  WSSCC
• Water Utility Partnership

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Representation

• Appointment of Dr Kfir by Minister Ben Ngubane to
  serve on the NEPAD working group on ST
• Vice-chair of the Ramsar Scientific and Technical
  Review Panel 2003-2005, representing the Africa
  region.
• Ramsar focal point co-ordinator for the West
  African sub-region 2003-2005.
• Vice-chair of the Executive Committee of the
  Africa Water Forum, and Chair of the Environment
  Theme Group within the Forum (ongoing).
• Board representation on WHARFSA and WATERNET

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Conclusion

• NEPAD an important vehicle to meet the WRCs
  strategic objectives in Africa
• Promote utilisation of WRC research findings and
  researchers in the NEPAD process.
• Prepare a consolidated view of water sector
  activities in Africa
• Consolidate our relationships with the SADC water
  sector