The 8th series of the China Africa Water Forum got underway Monday July 22, 2024 at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya. The conference, a preeminent platform for exchanges between China and Africa in the water sector, was attended by over 100 participants drawn China and a number of African countries.
The event themed Risk Reduction through Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries, was organised by the China Africa Water Association (CAWA). The Association which was founded in 2013 has been engaged in search for sustainable solutions covering key areas such as Water resources and water environment conservation; protection of ecological environment; and sponge city construction.
In a goodwill message to the conference, Mr. Zhenyu Wang, Deputy Director General, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) noted that CAWA has provided a pathway for China to share its technological solutions on water with African countries.
He added that CAS has since signed 50 cooperation agreements and launched 30 research cooperation projects with African institutions. In addition, Mr. Wang said that the implementation of the green wall project by China, in Africa, could help reverse desertification and other harmful impacts of climate change.
Africa’s water sector is still reeling under many challenges such as water over extraction – which only depletes the existing water but also result in the degradation of the commodities quality. Other concerns such as pollution from industrial and domestic wastes; impacts of climate change and inadequate technology continue to pose a significant threat to sustainable and profitable use of water resources in Africa.
In an address to the conference, JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi noted that was urgent need to address critical concerns in water supply including reducing risks to water supply, management and sustainable utilization of water resources.
“As a leading research oriented university, JKUAT has over the years implemented both academic and research programmes aimed at generating durable solutions to the water related challenges facing Kenya and the rest of the world,” Prof. Ngumi said.
The Vice Chancellor added that JKUAT faculty have also been involved in community based research activities covering irrigation, water sanitation and flood management.
“Similarly, our faculty and students have developed a number of affordable and green technologies on water harvesting, purification, and fluoride management,” Prof. Ngumi added.
Prof. Ngumi’s message to the conference was delivered by Prof. Jackson Kwanza, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Production and Extension.
The three-day conference features themed paper and poster presentations. Key institution participants are: UNESCO, Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kenya Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources; Kenya National Chapter of International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH); Chinese National Chapter of IAH; and the University of Western Cape, South Africa.
