South Africa and Japan cooperate on water management

SOUTH Africa and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in the field of water resource management, which will focus on the development of infrastructure and new technologies.

The MoC was signed between South Africa’s water and sanitation minister Gugile Nkwinti and Japan’s ambassador to South Africa, Shigeyuki Horoki.

“This is with the intention of forging a long-term cooperative relationship that will assist both countries to face the ever-changing dynamics in the water sector,” said Nkwinti. “Japan is known for its new technology inventions and that is what we need as South Africa, as we are faced with the effects of drought and other challenges in the water sector.”

Under the MoC, the department of water and sanitation in South Africa will exchange ideas and knowledge with Japan’s department of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism. This will include integrated water resource management, water-related disaster management, wastewater treatment, infrastructure management and maintenance, and new technologies. A joint commission on cooperation in the field of water resources management will manage working relationships and also organise technical workshops, training, and seminars that will take place in each country.

Last year a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to help find solutions to the lack of technical skills in the South African water sector.