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EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEPAD SOUTHERN AFRICAN WATER CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Institute for Environment and Sustainability Program Office

NEPAD Southern African Water Centres of Excellence

EU JRC Contract Number: 386793

Tender Number: IES/H/2011/01/02/NC

Deliverable JLP1.8 AMCOW and SADC Report

Document prepared by: NEPAD SANWATCE Secretariat

Date: 16th May 2013

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Table of Content

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 5

1. CONTEXT. ................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 Features of the Sector − current research and capacity development role-players in

SADC…. ................................................................................................................................... 7

i. SADC Water Division. ......................................................................................................... 7

ii. Waternet. ........................................................................................................................... 7

iii. Global Water Partnership – Southern Africa. .................................................................... 7

iv. International Water Management Institute. ..................................................................... 8

v. Water Research Commission. ............................................................................................ 8

vi. Networks, Partnerships, Forums, Knowledge brokers. ...................................................... 8

vii. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. ................................ 8

1.2 Beneficiaries and Parties Involved. ........................................................................................ 9

1.3 Problems to be addressed. ........................................................................................................ 9

1.4 Other Interventions. ................................................................................................................10

1.5 Available Documentation. .......................................................................................................10

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERTERACTION BETWEEN AMCOW/AMCOST AND SADC. .................. 11

3. INSTITUTIONALISATION. .......................................................................................................... 11

3.1 The relationship between AMCOW/AMCOST and the NEPAD Water Centres of

Excellence. ............................................................................................................................11

3.2 Relationship between AU/NEPAD and the Water Centres of Excellence. ...........................11

3.3 Relationship between the University of Stellenbosch and AU/NEPAD. ...............................12

3.4 Relationship between SADC Water and the Water Centres of Excellence. .........................12

4. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.......................................................................................................... 13

5. CONCLUSION. ........................................................................................................................... 14

APPENDIX 1: AMCOW/AMCOST Resolution to establish Networks of Excellence in Water

Sciences (Cairo, 2006) ..........................................................................................................15

List of Figures

Figure 1: The Trialogue Model (Source: Turton et. al. 2007) ............................................................. 9

Figure 2: Research and capacity development value-chain ............................................................. 10

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List of Acronyms

AfWA Africa Water Association AMCOW African Ministers’ Council on Water AMCOST African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology AU African Union CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

CIGI Centre for International Governance Innovation CPA Comprehensive Plan of Action DST Department for Science and Technology, South Africa EC European Commission EU European Union GWP-SA Global Water Partnership-Southern Africa

IHP International Hydrological Programme

IMWI International Water Management Institute

IWA International Water Association

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management

JRC Joint Research Commission KM Knowledge Management MDG Millennium Development Goal NEPAD The New Partnership for Africa’s Development NSTIH NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development RSAP Regional Strategic Action Plan, Southern Africa SADC Southern African Development Community SAIIA South African Institute for International Affairs SANWATCE Southern African Water Centres of Excellence SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

S&T Science & Technology SU Stellenbosch University

TAC Technical Advisory Committee

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNESCO United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation WANWATCE Western African Water Centres of Excellence WARFSA Water Resource Fund for Southern Africa WCoE Water Centres of Excellence WIN-SA Water Information Network-South Africa WISA Water Institute of Southern Africa WRC Water Research Commission, South Africa WRTC Water Resources Technical Committee WSA Water and Sanitation for Africa WWAP World Water Assessment Programme WWDR World Water Development Report

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The NEPAD Southern African Water Centres of Excellence (SANWATCE) Secretariat would like to

thank all who were able to directly and indirectly facilitate the institutionalization of the New

Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Southern African Network for Water Centres of

Excellence (SANWATCE) at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW); the African

Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST) and the Southern African Development

Community (SADC) Water Division.

Without mentioning individuals, as some might be overlooked, the following institutions have

been incremental to establishing NEPAD SANWATCE:

AMCOW;

AMCOST;

The South African Department of Science and Technology (DST)

NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub (NSTIH)

European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC)

SADC Water Division

SADC member states through the SADC Water Resources Technical Committee (WRTC)

Members of the NEPAD SANWATCE

Without the support of individuals from these institutions, the NEPAD SANWATCE would not be

able to play a meaningful role in contributing to the African water sector research agenda.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Over the past years, the NEPAD SANWATCE has been able to institutionalize the Network at

various levels. Key to this institutionalization is the joint mandate from the AMCOW and the

AMCOST.

At a regional level, the NEPAD SANWATCE has established the institutionalization of the NEPAD

SANWATCE programme together with the SADC Water Division. This is aligned to the third SADC

Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management

(RSAP-III) through the cooperation agreement with WaterNet and the identification of the NEPAD

SANWATCE as future implementing agent for the Water Resource Fund for Southern Africa

(WARFSA III).

These processes have been initiated taking into consideration, and building relationships with,

various research and capacity development role-players internationally, on the African continent

and regionally in Southern Africa.

Key achievements to date: The NEPAD SANWATCE is now institutionalized to a level where major

resources need to be mobilized, such as the WARFSA III programme, in order to have a

substantial impact on the research and capacity development needs of the Southern African

water sector, while contributing towards the African Water Sciences research agenda.

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1. CONTEXT. In September 2000, African countries and the international community adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the United Nations Millennium Summit. African leaders identified water scarcity and related insecurities due to water stress as one of the sources of the continent’s underdevelopment and increasing social and economic decline.

The first AMCOST Summit was held in Johannesburg in 2003 and the ministers decided on water Science & Technology (S&T) to constitute one of the flagship programmes of NEPAD. Thus, in the NEPAD framework the leaders have committed themselves to

Ensure sustainable access to safe and adequate clean water supply and sanitation,

especially for the poor.

They decided that S&T will play an important role in water development, supply and management and that S&T is crucial for assessing, monitoring and ensuring water quality. The flagship programme should strengthen the continent’s capabilities to harness and apply S&T to address challenges of securing adequate clean water, as well as managing the continent’s resources to become a basis for national and regional cooperation and development.

On 22 November 2006, the African Ministers responsible for science, technology and water (AMCOST and AMCOW) met in Cairo, Egypt. By resolution, the delegates committed themselves to establishing an African Network of Excellence in Water Sciences and Technology Development. In Southern Africa, the current network members consist of institutions from five SADC countries, which include Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. During a meeting in Johannesburg, 2-3 April 2009, an Interim Steering Committee was selected and after an extensive, transparent and fair democratic process it was decided that Stellenbosch University would serve as the Hub for the NEPAD Water Centres of Excellence (WCoE). This role is in addition to the fact that Stellenbosch University (SU) is also a WCoE node. The ministerial mandate, as discussed above, provides the NEPAD SANWATCE with the following executive mandate:

1) Facilitate, and where applicable, conduct selective research on water issues; 2) Serve as a Higher Education (PhD; postdoctoral; Staff-Exchange) soundboard to the

SADC region on regional water matters; 3) Collaborate with other networks and institutions in specialised areas; 4) Sett the SADC water research agenda; 5) Establish a continental water research agenda which is based on/ derived from the

SADC regional water agenda This can be achieved, amongst other means, through one-on-one engagement with AMCOW and AMCOST through the SADC Technical Advisory Committee. This is to observe political direction and to engage to provide evidence-based research. In order to address the water research needs within the SADC region, it is important that the NEPAD SANWATCE relationship with the SADC Secretariat will be formalised. Once this was formalised, the NEPAD SANWATCE can:

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1) Operationalize and regularly report to SADC on its mandate and progress; 2) Establish strategic partnerships outside and beyond the network. The NEPAD

SANWATCE can then play a network brokerage role with like-minded organisations to take information and knowledge beyond the current region to the benefit of the African continent;

3) Leverage resources from the region.

1.1 Features of the Sector − current research and capacity

development role-players in SADC. There are various role-players who provide research and capacity development functions within the SADC region. These role-players typically find their niche within the research and capacity development value chain (See Figure 2).

i. SADC Water Division.

Regionally the SADC Water Division aims to ensure that water in Southern Africa becomes a sustainable resource through the coordinated management, protection and equitable use of its shared waters. It guides the harmonisation of national policies and the implementation of activities by all stakeholders in a region where 70% of the water resources are shared across national boundaries.

ii. WaterNet. WaterNet enjoys subsidiary status under the SADC Water Sector. The network’s vision is a future in which SADC has the institutional and human capacity to educate and train its own water managers (…). Today, WaterNet is a regional network of 70 Southern African-based university departments, research and training institutes, specialising in water. The network builds regional institutional and human capacity in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) through training, education, research and outreach by harnessing the complementary strengths of member institutions, in the region and elsewhere. Its core activity, since 2003, is a Master’s Degree Programme in IWRM. Furthermore, professional training programmes facilitate competency through short courses (in collaboration with SADC Water Division, Cap-Net, and the Global Water Partnership-Southern Africa (GWP-SA)). Additionally, WaterNet’s Annual Symposium has become the key annual event in water research in East and Southern Africa over the last 12 years. To date, 13 Symposia with an average of approximately 400 delegates have been held, with the 14th Symposium taking place in Dar es Salaam in November 2013.

iii. Global Water Partnership – Southern Africa. The Global Water Partnership's (GWP) vision is for a water secure world. Its mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. GWP was founded in 1996 by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to foster IWRM.

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The network is open to all organisations involved in water resources management: Developed and developing country government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.

iv. International Water Management Institute

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is one of 15 international non-profit research centres that focus on food security on behalf poor people in developing countries under the umbrella of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IMWI itself employs about 350 people in 10 countries and specifically aims at improving the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and the environment. Research is the core activity and is organized around four priority themes; Water availability and access, productive water use, water quality, health and environment, and water and society.

v. Water Research Commission. The Water Research Commission (WRC) promotes co-ordination, co-operation and communication in the area of water research and development by establishing water research needs and priorities. It stimulates funding of water research according to identified priority areas. Additionally, the WRC promotes effective transfer of information and technology.

vi. Networks, Partnerships, Forums, Knowledge brokers. Other networks include Cap-Net which is made up of a partnership of autonomous international, regional and national institutions and networks committed to capacity building in the water sector, especially IWRM and the achievement of the MDGs. The Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) is the only professional organisation that represents the whole water sector in Southern Africa. Its purpose is building expertise, sharing of knowledge between members to improve the quality of life. The Water Information Network-South Africa (WIN-SA) is a network of organisations focusing on improving knowledge sharing in the water and sanitation sector, targeting decision makers in the governmental and non-governmental water services sector. Lastly, Africa Portal is an online knowledge resource for policy-related issues on Africa. An undertaking by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Africa Portal offers open access to a suite of features aimed to equip users with research and information on Africa’s current policy issues, including water.

vii. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The United Nations (UN) is active in a number of initiatives: The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Framework Programme for Research, Education and Training in Water (FETWater) was launched in 2002. It supports IWRM training and capacity building networks in South Africa. FETWater develops training materials, capacity audits, short courses and is developing Master’s level IWRM programmes. Furthermore, the UNESCO encourages the UNESCO structure including the Category I & II Centers and Chairs to carry out a

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joint International Hydrological Programme (IHP), in collaboration with national commissions and the governments of its 190 Member States. The UNESCO water institutions carry out research, education and capacity building activities in the fields of water, environment and infrastructure. The World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) is a joint initiative of the 26 UN bodies that constitute UN-Water to compile the World Water Development Report (WWDR) and monitor freshwater issues in order to provide recommendations, develop case studies, enhance assessment capacity at a national level and inform the decision-making processes.

1.2 Beneficiaries and Parties Involved. Within the AMCOW / AMCOST mandate, as discussed later in this document, the aim is to provide scientific research and capacity building to the benefit of governments and society, as represented in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: The Trialogue Model (Source: Turton et. al. 2007)

The current network members are: • Stellenbosch University (South Africa) – as the Hub and Node • International Centre for Water Economics and Governance in Africa

(Mozambique) - Node • University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) - Node • University of Western Cape (South Africa) - Node • University of Malawi (Malawi) - Node • University of Zambia (Zambia) - Node • University of Botswana (Botswana) - Node • The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR (South Africa) – Node

Through a Call for Interest by NEPAD and after thorough evaluation, based on specific criteria, the initial members were selected to form part of the NEPAD SANWATCE. It is the objective of the initiative to fully integrate and include at least one institution from each of the 15 SADC countries by the end of 2015.

1.3 Problems to be addressed. One of the major opportunities within the SADC research and capacity development sphere are high quality scientific research outputs at the PhD; postdoctoral and staff exchange level, as indicated in Research and Capacity value chain (See Figure 2). This is

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also in line with the mandate provided by the AMCOW / AMCOST resolution, as set out in 2006.

Figure 2: Research and capacity development value-chain

1.4 Other Interventions. As indicated earlier in this document, various role-players are currently offering extremely valuable research and capacity offerings within all the other spheres of research and capacity development. The niche for the NEPAD SANWATCE, however, lies with the high level scientific research at a Master’s (through the WARFSA III programme), PhD, postdoctoral and staff exchange level.

1.5 Available Documentation.

Various water-related scientific papers have been published by research institutions, which could provide scientific resources for future research. From the policy perspective, various strategic publications exist, which provide a background and framework from whence activities of the NEPAD SANWATCE can be initiated to ensure that actions meet the regional and African water research and capacity building needs. These documents include:

a) Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action. Published by the NEPAD Office of Science and Technology, 2006 (it is currently being updated).

b) Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water Resource Development and Management (2011-2015) RSAP III. Published by the SADC Secretariat, 2011.

c) Climate Change Adaptation in SADC – A Strategy for the Water Sector. Published by the SADC Secretariat, 2011.

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2. OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERTERACTION BETWEEN AMCOW / AMCOST AND SADC. The objective of the interaction between the AMCOW, the AMCOST and the SADC Water Secretariat is to institutionalize the NEPAD SANWATCE at all levels of governance, within the African continent and in the Southern African region. This has been achieved through dialogue, identifying institutional needs and aligning the NEPAD SANWATCE to address these needs. A specific objective being the identification of needs and the mobilization of resources for the NEPAD SANWATCE to execute its mandate.

3. INSTITUTIONALISATION.

3.1 The relationship between AMCOW / AMCOST and the NEPAD SANWATCE. Following the resolution taken in 2006, the NEPAD SANWATCE have been invited to give a presentation the AMCOW Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which proceeds the AMCOW General Assembly and takes place on an annual basis. Effectively, the NEPAD SANWATCE have been operational since 2009, where after presentations were made at the AMCOW TAC meetings in Johannesburg (South Africa), 20-22 October 2011 and Cairo (Egypt) 11-12 May 2012. During these meetings, report-backs on activities were made. NEPAD SANWATCE and the Western African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (WANWATCE) will also give presentations at the upcoming AMCOW TAC meeting in Cairo (Egypt), 3-5 June 2013. In terms of AMCOST, representation has been established through the facilitation of NSTIH and the office of Prof Aggrey Ambali and the South African DST – Ms Anneline Morgan and her team.

3.2 Relationship between the African Union and NEPAD and the WCoE. The African Union (AU) and NEPAD understand their important role in shaping S&T policy on the continent, including its advocacy role with African governments. They advocate the importance of investing national resources into the S&T sector, including the applications of water sciences. The AU and NEPAD provide a platform on which the NEPAD SANWATCE has been launched. The Network will consist of institutions and organisations that are based in the SADC region. AU and NEPAD shall provide policy guidelines. AU and NEPAD shall assist the regional networks in mobilising political and financial support and awareness creation to policy and decision-makers amongst African governments and with international partners. The AU and NEPAD have published a Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) for Science and Technology (2008; 2013). Within this overall framework lies the new AU and NEPAD strategy for the development and establishment of Centres of Excellence in Water Sciences and Development (Programme 6). The NEPAD SANWATCE also took part in discussions to review the CPA in Johannesburg, South Africa in October 2012.

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3.3 Relationship between the Stellenbosch University and the AU and NEPAD. Currently, the SU supports the NEPAD SANWATCE Hub by providing physical office space for the Secretariat, so that it can perform the Secretariat duties to the NEPAD SANWATCE. In addition, the SU, as the Hub, will provide Human Resources, Financial Services, Procurement and Legal Services. NEPAD will assist the Secretariat in providing guidance and facilitation for communication towards the SADC Secretariat and AMCOW / AMCOST.

3.4 Relationship between the SADC Water Division and the WCoE. As key strategic framework, SADC through its Water Division, developed the SADC RSAP III to provide clear direction in the management of the regional water resources. In addition, the RSAP on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management serves as a work plan to guide the development and implementation of activities in the SADC water sector from 2011-2015. As part of the RSAP III, Programme 5 makes provision for Research and Education priority interventions, and identifies: 3.4.1 WaterNet as a network of universities, research and training centres to strengthen

and build individual, organizational and institutional capacities on IWRM.

To this effect, the NEPAD SANWATCE will collaborate and jointly plan activities with WaterNet, in order to achieve the SADC Water Division’s objectives.

3.4.2 Water Research Fund for Southern Africa.

The Water Research Fund for Southern Africa (WARFSA) was established as a SADC associated project in February 1999 with the purpose of building research capacity among regional institutions and individuals, as well as to promote the utilization of research results to support the practice and understanding of the concept of IWRM in the sub-region. Phase I came to an end in June 2002. The second phase of WARFSA began in August 2002 and ran up to June 2005. WARFSA Phase III was planned, but due to a lack of funding, the programme could not continue. Following the completion of WARFSA Phase II, the SADC Water Division requested the NEPAD SANWATCE to manage and implement the WARFSA programme1. Since a new implementing agent has been appointed, it was felt that a new identity is required, and subsequently, reference would be made to the fund as WARFSA-III. WARFSA-III will be managed through a set of Statutes and Guidelines which serve as a reference and guide to funding agencies, the managing agency, applying institutions and the governance bodies of WARFSA-III. These documents have undergone several revisions, in order to incorporate the changing context and environment of the Southern African water research agenda. In managing WARFSA-III, the guiding principles are:

1 This was ratified at the SADC Water Resources Technical Committee meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, 9-12 April

2013, and currently awaits final ratification at the SADC Water Ministers meeting.

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• Timely response to funding requests • Simplicity of application procedure • Contribution towards capacity building • Transparency and clarity of selection criteria • Equity in terms of support to nationals and institutions from different SADC

countries • Adherence to quality and efficiency in achieving deliverables An updated WARFSA Phase III programme proposal is planned to be completed by the end of May 2013, whereupon a process to solicit funding for the programme could commence.

4. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Over the past few years the NEPAD SANWATCE has been focusing on institutionalizing and strengthening the network, in order to contribute substantially towards the high-level research and capacity development needs of the SADC region. This has been achieved through:

1) Strengthening the relationship between AMCOW / AMCOST; 2) Strengthening the relationship with SADC Water Division; 3) Leveraging existing resources as contributed by the EC JRC and South African DST to

strengthen the Network and establish the Network as role-player in the SADC region and the African continent;

4) Building relationships with key role-players on various levels. The relationships include (to name but a few):

Internationally - European Union Africa Focus Group; UNESCO2 and The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and International Water Association (IWA)

Continent – AMCOW / AMCOST; Pan African University Initiative; Africa Water Association (AfWA); Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA) and

Southern Africa – SADC Water Division; CAP-NET; GWP-SA; WaterNet and WRC 5) Establishing a dedicated and operational programme Secretariat at the SU, in order to

manage the activities of the NEPAD SANWATCE; 6) Creating an effective communication strategy which includes a constantly updated

website (www.nepadwatercoe.org); Weekly Water News from the African Continent in the form a e-newsletter and representation at key conferences and workshops.

2 NEPAD SANWATCE is a member of the UNESCO HOPE Project Steering Committee

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5. CONCLUSION.

Over the past few years, the NEPAD SANWATCE has been able to institutionalize the network at various levels, which include the continent (AMCOW and AMCOST), as well as the regional level (SADC Water Division). The Network has been recognized as a major role-player in the SADC Region who, in partnership with the WANWATCE (and future water networks to be established in the African continent), contributes towards the African water research agenda. This, however, does not happen by itself and substantial resources need to be mobilized, in order to achieve our objectives as we move towards 2020. To this end, the NEPAD SANWATCE has the skill, expertise and operational tools, such as the WARFSA-III and institutional support from renowned African Universities, to execute the mandate as provided by AMCOW / AMCOST and the SADC Water Division.

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APPENDIX 1: AMCOW/AMCOST Resolution to establish Networks of

Excellence in Water Sciences (Cairo, 2006)

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