Due to rapid population growth and the impacts of climate change in many African countries, there is increasing focus on the development of groundwater as a reliable and drought-resilient source of water for multiple uses, including urban water supply and sanitation as well as irrigated agriculture. The role of groundwater for socioeconomic development in Africa and for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is receiving increased attention from governments, policy makers, researchers, and development partners.
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has organized a global webinar on The role of groundwater in advancing Africa’s socio-economic development on May 20, 2021, at 12:00 – 14:00 (CEST). The webinar will focus on the significance and contribution of groundwater to water security and resilience in Africa, with an emphasis on water supply, climate change adaptation, livelihoods, and international cooperation.
Expert presentations and discussions will highlight the need for sustainable development, use and management of groundwater resources, and will make a case for raising the profile of groundwater at the highest level of governance and political agenda in Africa for advancing socioeconomic development in line with the SDGs.
The webinar will have keynote speakers and panel discussions with experts closely engaged in groundwater for development in Africa, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and academic and research institutions both within and outside Africa.
The aim of the webinar is to raise the voices of and inform relevant stakeholders about the following:
- Significance of groundwater and its value in terms of social, cultural, economic and environmental dimensions.
- Need to ensure sustainable groundwater development to achieve the benefits of water security, resilience, health and livelihoods in Africa.
- Need for relevant decision-makers to take cognizance of the vital role of groundwater in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and transboundary aquifer management.
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