SA, China sign agreement on water resources

© Kidsana Maimeetook – 123RF.com

The MoU, signed on Monday, 3 September, seeks to establish and reinforce co-operation between South Africa and China on the efficient utilisation, management and sustainable development of water resources, including establishing a long-term cooperative relationship on the basis of equity and mutual benefit.

In the agreement, signed by water and sanitation minister Gugile Nkwinti and China’s minister of water resources, E Jingping, the two governments mutually agreed on areas of cooperation. These include enacting and implementation of water policies, laws and regulations; integrated management and utilisation of water resources; comprehensive river basin planning; comprehensive utilisation of rain water; and planning, designing, construction, operation and maintenance of water-related infrastructures.

Areas of cooperation

The areas of cooperation also include small hydropower development; hydrology and water resources monitoring; groundwater utilisation, protection and management; flood control, draught relief and disaster mitigation; climate change impacts on water resources and countermeasures; coordination and cooperation in international water events; training and capacity building; as well as other fields of mutual interests.

The working agreement between the two countries came during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to China, as part of his investment drive.

To ensure that the MoU is implemented accordingly, a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) for Cooperation on Water Resources Management has been established and will be co-chaired by heads of the competent authorities.