BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – In line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6 and the National Development Strategy (NDS), His Majesty’s Government has prioritised providing access to clean water for all citizens by the year 2030.
This was said by Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela, who was speaking at the World Water Day celebration themed, ‘Water for Peace’ at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini today.
According to information sourced from the Facebook page of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the Minister stated that Eswatini was committed to taking stock of the progress made in developing water sharing agreements with neighbouring countries and adhering to these agreements.
Dlamini elaborated on the water sharing agreements the country has with Mozambique and South Africa, explaining that these countries have established structures to govern the sharing of trans boundary water resources.
He explained that the Incomati and Maputo Water Course Commission, which involved the three countries, managed the Komati and Maputo river basins. He further explained that the Joint Water Commission with Mozambique was overseeing the Mbuluzi river basin, while the Joint Water Commission with South Africa manages the Komati and Lomati river basins. The Minister stressed that this cooperation contributed to regional peace and stability. In line with the NDS and SDG No. 6, the Ministry is working to provide clean water for all by 2030, leaving no one behind.
The Minister acknowledged the critical role played by the private sector in developing water and sanitation infrastructure, expressing his gratitude for the support received from various partners in water supply and sanitation projects. He further noted the importance of research and development, encouraging the active participation of research institutions in the water sector.
He said with the advancements in technology and new approaches to water resource management, the Ministry saw research and development as a key driver of innovation and progress. He further mentioned that His Majesty’s Government remained committed to investing in water supply and sanitation programs, recognising the role of civil society in promoting sustainable water resource management.
According to the United Nations (UN) website, the World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Every year, UN-Water — the UN’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation — sets the theme for World Water Day. In 2023, the focus was on Accelerating Change. In 2024, the theme will be Leveraging Water for Peace.
