Overview
The FAO-led workshop is the first regional follow-up to the Rome Water Dialogue (November 2022) and aims to promote country-led National Water Roadmaps. It is organized by FAO and hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe.
Water is one of the world´s most important resources. It is central to agriculture, which accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
While there is increasing awareness of water importance, there is still a need for more effective, integrated and coordinated actions, coupled with strong political will in recognizing water in a holistic manner to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
There is an urgent need to consider how best to address these interconnected issues and to understand why and how water resources can be used to achieve social, economic and environmental objectives embedded in national development strategies. In this context, FAO has proposed a country-led water dialogue and country-owned National Water Roadmaps to help strengthen the inter-sectoral coordination on sustainable water resources management, accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The event is held in-person and virtually.
Agenda Highlights
Wednesday 22 February 2023
09:00-10:00
High Level Opening
- Welcome Remarks by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Harare Province, represented by Mr T. Muguti
- Remarks by Dr Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator, Zimbabwe
- Remarks by H.E. Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe
- Remarks by Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, Chair of UN-Water (video message)
- Remarks by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
- Key Note Address and Official Opening by H.E. Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
- Vote of Thanks by H.E. Mr Davis Marapira, Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe
10:00-10:30
Keynote Presentation "National Water Roadmaps to spearhead Global Acceleration Framework for Water and the Sustainable Development Goals"
Mr Lifeng Li, Director of Land and Water Division, FAO
10:30-12:00
High-Level Roundtables: National Perspective on Water Sector Planning
Remarks by Ministers and other high-level participants
12:00-14:00
Lunch break
14:00-15:15
Session 1: Financing Accelerator
Presentations followed by Roundtable/Panel discussions
15:15-15:30
Coffee break
15:30-17:00
Session 2: Data & Information Accelerator
Presentations followed by Roundtable/Panel discussions
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Thursday 23 February 2023
09:00-10:30
Session 3: Capacity Development Accelerator
Presentations followed by Roundtable /Panel discussion
10:30-12:00
Session 4: Innovation Accelerator
Presentations followed by Roundtable /Panel discussion
12:00-14:00
Lunch break
14:00-16:30
Session 5: Governance Accelerator
Presentations followed by Roundtable /Panel discussion
16:30-17:00
Regional perspectives and commitments for a global dialogue on water tenure in national water roadmaps
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Friday 24 February 2023
09:00-10:30
Summary of Session’s Highlights: Putting all recommendations/commitments together to accelerate achievement of SDG 6 and beyond
10:30-11:30
Concrete regional commitments on the road to UN 2023 Water Conference: Putting together the actions on the Accelerators with the National Water Roadmaps
11:30-12:00
Closing & Next steps
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The full agenda is available HERE.