Rejoice Mabudafhasi, deputy minister of water and environmental affairs and co-chair of GNWMLE, will co-chair the event which will include women from across the globe.
Topics to be discussed include; building regional and sub-regional collaboration between GNWMLE members, recommending practical solutions for sustainable development on the continent, plans for the upcoming Rio+20 and beyond, and increasing the number, visibility and influence of women environmental leaders in Africa and worldwide.
"Women worldwide are more often than not at the front line, when it comes to decision and policy making with regard to the negative effects of climate change," says Mabudafhasi, "We want to ensure gender responsive sustainable environmental management and enhance the representation and involvement of women in decision-making in the areas of environment and sustainable development."
Discussions will conclude with a gala dinner, sponsored by mining company, Rio Tinto.
"Women have borne the brunt of environmental degradation and climate change and by supporting this event we are looking beyond the boundaries of our own operations, to see how we can make a difference on a wider scale. Climate affects our operations, threatening the availability of water both for the mining process and for use by the communities within which we mine. We recognise the need to understand and adapt to the physical impacts of climate change," said of Rio Tinto MD Dr Elaine Dorward-King.
Transport will be provided to members of the media. For general enquiries, contact Luyanda on az.oc.fct@adnayul or call tel +27 (0)11 463 7550. For any transportation queries, contact Lebo on cell +27 (0)72 627 4172.
Updated at 1.03pm on 6 December 2011.
