Namibia convenes 3rd regional water symposium…focus on water security, strengthening coordination

The ministry of agriculture is hosting the 3rd Namibia Regional Water Symposium (NRWS) in Swakopmund, Erongo region, starting today until Friday.

The symposium provides a platform for government, industry, communities, researchers and development partners to build a shared understanding of national and regional water security priorities, strengthen coordination and develop actionable recommendations to inform policy, planning and the sustainable management of water resources.

The theme of this year’s symposium is “Ensuring Water Security Through Innovation, Collaboration, Climate Resilience and Responsible Water Stewardship,” reflecting the growth pressures facing Namibia’s water sector.

“As one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia cannot leave its water future to chance. These include highly variable rainfall, recurrent droughts, limited perennial surface water resources and increasing dependence on groundwater. Climate change is further intensifying these pressures, while water demand continues to rise due to population growth, urbanisation and the expansion of economic sectors such as mining, fisheries, energy, tourism and manufacturing,” the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.

Approximately 250 representatives from government, water utilities, the private sector, academia and development partners are expected to attend the Symposium.

Participants will deliberate on water security challenges affecting the two focus regions and Namibia as a whole, with particular emphasis on collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships.

Discussions will be structured around three thematic areas, which is water security challenges and sector perspectives, which will examine Namibia’s current and emerging water security challenges, including increasing demand, climate pressures and the need to balance economic development with sustainable water use.

Government institutions, municipalities, industry players, the mining and fisheries sectors, and water utilities will share practical experiences, perspectives and approaches to addressing these challenges.

Climate resilience, innovation and sustainable water solutions will be another area of discussion, where the focus will be on climate-resilient water infrastructure, alternative water sources, desalination, water reuse, groundwater management and digital technologies.

It will also explore the role of research, innovation and technological advancement in strengthening water resource planning, monitoring and decision-making.

Another focus area will be water governance, policy and integrated water resources management, which touch on the implementation of Namibia’s water governance framework, particularly the Water Resources Management Act, 2013 (Act No. 11 of 2013).

Discussions will cover institutional responsibilities, regulation, water licensing, compliance and stakeholder participation, with the objective of promoting the sustainable, equitable and integrated management of the country’s water resources.

“The 3rd NRWS is particularly significant as it is the first Symposium since Namibia became the host country of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) earlier this year. GWPO became the first global intergovernmental water organisation to establish its headquarters in the Global South. Its network spans 13 regions, more than 180 countries and approximately 2,800 institutional partners. The hosting of GWPO in Namibia reflects international confidence in the country’s role in advancing water management and climate resilience,” Muyunda stated.

It also provides Namibian institutions and stakeholders with opportunities for stronger engagement with global expertise, knowledge networks and strategic partnerships in the water sector.

GWPO will participate in the symposium, where it will introduce its mandate and work to the Namibian water sector.

It will also present the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), including the process through which countries develop National Water Investment Programmes to mobilise investment and accelerate water security and sustainable development.

As the most arid country in Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia faces complex challenges in ensuring water security due to highly variable rainfall, recurrent droughts, and skyrocketing demand from urbanization and mining. Despite these extreme climate vulnerabilities, the country has become a global and regional pioneer in innovative water resource management.

The country has taken aggressive steps to address its severe water scarcity by securing billions in funding, launching mega-infrastructure projects, and assuming a central position in global water diplomacy.

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