Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, will on Thursday host Ministers responsible for water in Botswana, Namibia and the Kingdom of Lesotho during the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) Forum of Parties.

The meeting of Ministers responsible for water in the four member States aims to discuss ways in which to strengthen the already existing transboundary relations and reflect on some of the achievements attained since ORASECOM was established.

The ORASECOM Forum of Parties meeting takes place annually on a rotational basis among the four member States, with the Republic of South Africa hosting this year, where Ministers responsible for water in the Orange-Senqu River Basin meet on matters related to the development, use and conservation of water resources in the basin.

The department said the discussions may include recommendations on water availability; the equitable and reasonable use of water, development of the river systems; stakeholder participation; harmonisation of policies and a standard form of collection; as well as processing and dissemination of data and information.

“The meeting will also see the Ministers discussing ways in which to establish innovative ways to enhance water sustainability in the river basin, while working collaboratively to reinforce operations between the respective states,” the department said in a statement.

ORASECOM was established in the year 2000 through an agreement amongst Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.

The Commission began its work soon after the signing of the Revised Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Shared Watercourses.

The Permanent Secretariat was established in 2007 and is based in Centurion, South Africa.

Source: South African Government News Agency