The 2016 84th International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) conference kicks off with a bang
The 84th International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) conference officially kicked off yesterday in Sandton, Johannesburg. Officiated by Dr Anton J Schleiss, the ICOLD President, the weeklong event will see experts in dams’ design, construction and maintenance bring their heads together to share and transfer knowledge. The Department of Water and Sanitation as the main custodian of water resources in South Africa is the main host of this event.
DR Schleiss said during the opening that a conference of this nature will go a long way towards ensuring meaningful engagements and will be of great benefit to the water supply of ICOLD’s member statements and the world as a whole.
Several workshops, technical tours around the country's dams and storage systems and young engineers’ engagements will take place throughout the week. Issues expected to take centre stage during the proceedings are practical operation and maintenance issues in developing countries, flood management in arid regions, climate change and its influence on dams, amongst others.
Department of Water and Sanitation Minister, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane will give the keynote address during the opening of International Symposium on Appropriate Technology to ensure proper Development, Operation and Maintenance of Dams in Developing countries, on Wednesday 18 May 2016, which is the main highlight of the whole event.
The conference is famously known for housing the world's 'cream of the crop' in large dam construction, which is one of its main objectives. This year is no different.
The Conference is held each year in one of the commission's member states home.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
DWS Director: Media Liaison
Cell: 082 874 2942
