The 11th Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) was held from the 12th to the 14th of June, 2023 under the theme ‘Accelerating Water Security and Sanitation Investments in Zambia: Towards Attainment of Agenda 2023 through the Zambia Water Investment Programme’. The event was graced with the presence of Her Honour, The Vice President of Zambia, Mrs Mutale Nalumango. Being the ZAWAFE Patron, The Vice President, Mrs. Mutale Nalumango officially opened the event.
The first day included remarks from the Chairperson of ZAWAFE, Prof. Imasiku A. Nyambe, Mr. Munyaradzi C. Munodawafa from Zambia River Authority, WWF Country Director, Ms. Nachilala Nkombo, Ms. Christin Otto from Germany Embassy and keynote speeches from the following: Mr. Trecious Simwanza (Wash Focal Point Person, Ministry of Education) who presented a keynote paper titled “Improving Sanitation Access for Children in Zambia: Update on WASH in schools in Zambia”, Mr. Robin Sharma (USAID Deputy Mission Director) who presented a keynote paper titled “USAID support to the WASH sector and Engagement in Zambia”, Chola Kasoma Mbilima (Senior Inspector Financial and Commercial Management–NWASCO) who represented a keynote paper titled “Water Supply and Sanitation sector Financing” and Nachilala Nkombo (WWF Country Director) who presented a keynote paper titled “
The programme was scheduled for three days (12th to 14th June, 2023). On each day, different presentations were made and on the last day, field trips were undertaken. During the forum, various topical issues pertaining to water and sanitation were discussed by experts in the fields. The topics discussed were categorized in the following sub-themes:
1.Water Investments to support Economic Transformation
2. Enhancing resilience through Water
3. Water and Sanitation Governance and Institutional strengthening
4. Application of the Water-Energy- Food- Ecosystem Nexus in the Zambian Context.
CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION AT 11TH ZAWAFE
The Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) offered children a platform to attend and participate at the forum through the Waterproof project which focused on improving access WASH related information, specifically, hand washing using dance. The Lusaka Water Security Initiative successfully launched the Waterproof Project on the 13th of June, 2023 during the LuWSI Child-Focused Session at the Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE). The children's participation aimed at bringing together organizations and initiatives in WASH that target children who learn from each other about WASH approaches and practices as well as discussing a collaborative approach to future child-led WASH intervention.
Present during the LuWSI Child Focused Session was the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mr. Mike Mposha who encouraged all stakeholders to promote community engagement to spread hygiene messages. Emphasis was placed on the need to improve water supply and sanitation in schools as water is used as the first line of treatment against diseases.
EXHIBITIONS AT THE 11TH ZAWAFE
The forum created a platform for different institutions and companies in the water, sanitation and related sectors to showcase their investments and other support they are offering the sector. This was done through exhibitions by different companies and institutions. A total of 22 organizations exhibited their products and services at the event and in turn reach out to the Zambian populace on what they can offer in the sustainable management of water, sanitation and hygiene in Zambia.
LOCAL FIELD TRIPS AND POST ZAWAFE TRIPS
There were two field trips undertaken at the 11th ZAWAFE: One trip to the Cena farms and the post ZAWAFE trip to Livingstone.
