adminDumisani Nsingo Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company has said preparations for the second edition of the water, sanitation, hygiene and energy (WASHen) conference that will be held in Bulawayo at the end of the month have reached an advanced stage. ZITF Company general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu said a number of delegates and organisations expected at the conference had confirmed their participation.
The conference will be held at the ZITF exhibition centre on 24 September under the theme: “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development.”
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri will deliver the keynote address on, “WASH Sector Development for Successful Implementation of Zim Asset” while the permanent secretary Mr Prince Mupazviriho would give an overview of the Zimbabwe WASH sector.
The event which is being organised in partnership with SNV Zimbabwe and supported by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate and the WASH Sector National Co-ordination Unit, is expected to provide a conducive platform for contributions of knowledge and evidence among key stakeholders in the sector (policy makers, community members, implementing partners and local authorities).
“Preparations for the second edition of the water, sanitation, hygiene and energy conference, WASHen 2015, are progressing well. Confirmed delegates include representatives from non-governmental organisations, business and civic leaders, policy makers and other interested stakeholders who will discuss and debate issues in these sectors, with a view to drawing up actionable resolutions to achieve the national agenda for socio-economic development,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
The conference would be supported by an exhibition of relevant products and services.
“The event will build on the success of last year’s inaugural edition by bringing together a mix of stakeholders in the pertinent sectors to deliberate on “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development.”
“Discussions will centre on Information Communication Technology and Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) as they relate to the provision of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in the country,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
She said through collaborations on elements such as social infrastructure, capacity building and behavioural change, stakeholders would be expected to share knowledge.
The line-up of speakers include technical experts from the tripartite ministerial taskforce on WASH (Environment, Water and Climate; Health and Child Care as well as Local Government, Rural and Urban Development), Unicef, World Bank, SNV and the City of Bulawayo.
“Issues to be deliberated on include; sustainable urban and rural WASH technologies, WASH and renewable energy nexus, benchmarking for performance enhancement in local authorities, sustainable solutions for school menstrual hygiene management among other topics,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
As was the case last year, relevant stakeholders have also scheduled their meetings to coincide with WASHen 2015.
The monthly Zimbabwe WASH Sector Co-ordination and Information Forum would also be held on the same day.
“This show of support for the event is expected to boost conference delegate and business visitor numbers. After the meeting, delegates will be taken on a guided field tour, courtesy of the City of Bulawayo. The tour will cover facilities which will bring a practical appreciation of the issues discussed on the previous day,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter