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Minister Senzo Mchunu will host his counterparts from Botswana, Namibia and the Kingdom of Lesotho during the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) Forum of Parties on Thursday, 06 July 2023 at Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria.

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 the 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 discussions may include recommendations on, inter alia, water availability, the equitable and reasonable use of water, the development of the river systems, stakeholder participation, the harmonisation of policies and a standard form of collection, processing and dissemination of data and information.

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.

The meeting will also see Ministers on water from the four members states 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.  

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation