BACKGROUND

The 26 WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium will be held in Lusaka, Republic of Zambia at Ciela Resort, 29th – 31st October 2025 under the theme: Accelerating Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management in order to Close the Water Investment Gap by 2030 and th Beyond in Eastern & Southern Africa. The 26 Symposium will be hosted by the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation in collaboration with other partners.

The Symposia have been held annually in the Eastern and Southern African regions for the past 25 years to promote interaction among policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners. Together, they identify regional issues, gaps and priorities that require further research and support. Great emphasis has been placed on the integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural and social sciences.

This year’s symposium sub-themes have been aligned to the of closing of the water investment gap, achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the SADC Water Research Agenda under the Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP) on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Phase V, whose main objective is: Promoting evidence-based implementation of SADC water programmes and projects through multi- and inter-disciplinary research, and synthesis of existing and new information, which will lead to a realization of SADC developmental goals

https://www.mwds.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/second-call-for-abstracts-26th-waternet-warfsa-gwpsa-symposium26-updated.pdf