SADC Discusses the Energy and Water Crisis in the Region

His Excellency Lt. General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana and Chairperson of the Southern Development Community (SADC), has called on delegates to the one-day special workshop on the Energy and Water crisis in the region to come up with an action plan to address the crisis.

The high level workshop on Energy and Water taking place at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in Botswana is the second in a series of three workshops called by the SADC Chairperson. The first workshop was on Food Security and Poverty Eradication, on 16th May 2016 in Gaborone, Botswana, and the third workshop focusing on Illegal Trade in Wild Life will be held in July 2016.

President Khama made the call when his delivered a Keynote address to the workshop held under the theme:  "Accelerating energy delivery and access to water resources in the SADC region – A collective approach".

The workshop will facilitate exchange of ideas and forge practical and sustainable solutions towards the Energy and Waters crisis in the region with a view to map out a strategic direction and agree on a way forward.

In her opening remarks to the workshop, the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena L. Tax highlighted the vital role of the energy and water resources to regional economic growth, and added that insufficient access directly impacted on the quality of lives of people in the region.

Almost 160 delegates including Ministers and Senior Officials from the Ministries responsible for Energy and Water Sectors in the SADC Member States; representatives of national Energy and Water regulators and utilities; International Cooperating Partners, SADC Energy and Water Thematic Group members and implementing Partners; academic research and training institutions; development finance institutions, members of the diplomatic corps and independent power producers are participating the workshop.

The workshop will be followed by a meeting of ministers responsible for the energy and water sectors in the region on 21 June 2016.

A media briefing will be held at the end of the workshop to inform the members of the Press on the outcomes.