PRESS STATEMENT
(For Immediate Release)
Lusaka, Friday, October 10, 2025
The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation is pleased to announce that Zambia will host the 26th WaterNet / WARFSA / GWP-SA Symposium from 29th to 31st October 2025 at Ciela Resort & Spa in Lusaka, with both physical and virtual participation options available.
The symposium will be held under the theme:
“Accelerating Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management to Close the Water Investment Gap by 2030 and Beyond in Southern and Eastern Africa.”
This high-level regional gathering will bring together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations to exchange knowledge, share innovations, and mobilize investments aimed at strengthening integrated water resources management (IWRM) across Africa.
Hosting this important symposium underscores the Government’s renewed commitment to positioning water security at the centre of Zambia’s national development and climate resilience agenda. Having successfully hosted the 19th WaterNet Symposium in Livingstone in 2018, Zambia is once again ready to provide a dynamic platform for regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
The symposium will serve as a key platform for aligning national and regional priorities in support of Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and the SADC Regional Strategic Action Plan on integrated water resources management. The Ministry is working closely with WaterNet—a SADC capacity-building and research network—together with the Water Research Fund for Southern Africa (WARFSA), and the Global Water Partnership – Southern Africa (GWP-SA). Other collaborating partners include the Water Research Commission, AU/NEPAD Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (SANWATCE), and several regional and international institutions.
The Government invites researchers, academics, PhD students, and practitioners to register as delegates, present research findings, participate in discussions, and contribute to policy dialogues. Government agencies, regional organizations, and development partners are similarly encouraged to take part in side events and technical sessions that will generate actionable recommendations for closing Africa’s water investment gap.
The private sector, including technology providers, financial institutions, and service companies in the water, sanitation, environment, and climate resilience sectors, are invited to exhibit their technologies, services, and innovations. Corporations, philanthropic organizations, and development partners are also encouraged to support or sponsor the symposium, thereby helping to expand its reach and impact. Exhibition booths will be available for institutions wishing to showcase their products and solutions to delegates from across the continent.
Participation in this symposium presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage with decision-makers, investors, and innovators; to co-create solutions; and to contribute to building capacity for the next generation of water professionals. Registration is still open for both local and international participants, with options for in-person and virtual attendance.
In extending his invitation, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, MP, stated:
“The Safe and sustainable management of water resources is central to our collective future. The 26th WaterNet Symposium is more than an academic event—it is a call to action for governments, researchers, private sector actors, and development partners to unite in closing the water investment gap and securing a climate-resilient future for our region. Let us join hands to translate our shared commitments into tangible outcomes.”
The Government of the Republic of Zambia remains fully committed to ensuring that this symposium is a resounding success—academically rigorous, policy-relevant, and transformative in its impact. We look forward to welcoming delegates, exhibitors, and partners to Lusaka, and to forging lasting collaborations that will advance water security and sustainable development across Southern and Eastern Africa.
For further information on registration, exhibition, sponsorship, or abstract submissions, please contact:
Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Zambia
Public Relations Office
Email: info@mwds.gov.zm
Website: www.mwds.gov.zm / www.waternetonline.org
Issued by:
Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, MP
MINISTER OF WATER DEVELOPMENT AND SANITATION
