Programme Director Chairperson of the Cap-Net UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Management Board: Dr Joakim Harlin Distinguished guests Ladies and gentlemen Good afternoon Today we are gathered here to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Cap-Net, a water management capacity development programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This August occasion is taking place under the auspices of the 2012 World Water Week, themed: “Water and Global Food Security”. The World Water Week is an annual gathering at which the world community of water and sanitation development professionals and indigenous people meet and discuss issues surrounding evolutionary progress and prospects on water.
For a long time now the world has acknowledged that the water crisis is a governance crisis, and that indeed capacity development is critical, not only for understanding the behaviour of water in a changing world, but also for improving the decisions we make so that water management can drive sustainable development in an equitable manner.
Ladies and gentlemen, history has shown us that a new philosophy, new approaches and tools and or at least the adaptation of existing knowledge or opening up of decision making to new entrants is required to solve today’s water problems, and more so the problems, of tomorrow. There is therefore a dire need to develop someone called the “new water manager”, someone whose toolbox for managing water includes not only pipes, pumps and concrete but also includes things such as negotiation skills, people and process management skills, gender, economic and financial instruments and many others.
From where shall the “new managers” come? The answer lies in a quote from Nelson Mandela, where he said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Education and training are important components of capacity development that need to be addressed urgently and continuously. That is why for example the African Ministers Council on Water, in line with the Africa Water Vision has identified Education, Knowledge and Capacity Development as one of its themes of focus in the current action plan.
I would like to point out one important issue which is at my heart. As concluded in RiO+20 recently, development should be inclusive. Likewise, reaching out to grass root levels is important, especially by educating the girl child who we know cares for and uses water and at the same time enslaved by lack of it. Human and institutional capacity
is also required to extend and maintain water and sanitation services for those who have not yet been reached, particularly, the poor, women and the disabled. We also need to empower the youth as they represent the future of our planet. It is with these thoughts in mind that I am happy to say since 2007 to date, South Africa, through its Water Research Commission, has been host to Cap-Net, a UNDP global network for capacity development for sustainable water management that reaches most parts of the developing world through its partners at regional and national networks as we have heard.
I cordially urge governments, donors and private entities to support capacity development initiatives. It is indeed a “no regrets” investment. With these words, I would like wish Cap-Net UNDP a happy 10th birthday, which also coincides with that of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW). In conclusion I would like to launch the Cap-Net at 10 book that gives a bird’s eye view of the global network’s milestones in developing capacity in water management across the developing world.
I thank you
Speech delivered by honourable Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi at the occasion of the Cap-Net UNDP 10 year anniversary celebration held at World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden
