The Water Research Council is hosting a three day Symposium on “Adaptation to the New Normal”
The Water Research Council (WRC) is hosting its biennial symposium beginning today 18th September and ending on the 20th September. The theme for this symposium is “Adapting to the New Normal”.
During his opening address, the CEO of the WRC, Desighen Naidoo, emphasised the need to “Adapt to the new normal” through interventions to enable a sustainable development pathway by:
- Driving a new research agenda and a new way of doing that research not just inter-sectorally and in a trans-disciplinary manner, but predominantly in partnership with the practitioner and user communities.
- Looking at this as a giant challenge and the little pockets of knowledge and solutions available in different parts of the world must be brought together with greater impact through smart and generous international collaboration.
- The need to re-visit the regulatory environment and current infrastructure paradigm with vigour.
- Enabling sustainable development and ensuring universal access to basic services in the new normal through creativity, innovation and systems amenable to dynamic adaptation and improvement.
- A characterisation by local actions supported by national and global endeavours.
Addressing the same symposium, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, reminded the delegates about the reality of the rise of extreme weather patterns due to Climate Change and a growing global population.
“These challenges require robust responses to ensure the required outcomes. The challenges are global; therefore the Memoranda of Understanding with neighbouring Namibia and the WRC must assist in resolving challenges in the regions, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and ultimately Africa as a whole.
“Governments also have a responsibility to ensure SDGs are realised in all countries of the world. The High Level Panel on Water (HLPW) is meeting at the United Nations this week and will be addressing the UNGA on its work..
“My expectations for the symposium are that there will be a translation of knowledge for the benefit of the world especially the under-developed. The outcomes of this symposium must also speak to a better water future, and encourage international partnerships. Such international partnerships can also be seen as we in Gauteng continue to enjoy water coming from the Kingdom of Lesotho”.
The biennial symposium is one of the critical tools that the WRC utilises to ensure all new knowledge and innovation continues to drive water and sanitation delivery.
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
