Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo is leading the South African delegation to the Orange-Senqu River Commission (Orasecom) Climate Resilient Investment Conference, held in Lesotho on Thursday.

The conference, hosted by Orasecom in collaboration with Lesotho’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the four basin states, namely Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, aims to raise awareness and mobilise investments to implement priority actions as outlined in the Climate Resilient Investment Plan, which promotes sustainable development and water security within the Orange-Senqu river basin.

Established in November 2000, Orasecom is the custodian of one of the largest river systems in the Southern African Development Community.

The Orange-Senqu river basin spans one-million square kilometres, covering all of Lesotho and significant parts of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

The commission was established to promote integrated water resource development and management across this vital transboundary basin.

The Orasecom conference will also provide a high-level platform for dialogue and collaboration between private investors, government representatives, Orasecom member States, international financial institutions and water resource experts to drive funding and partnerships in support of vital water infrastructure projects.

“South Africa strongly values its longstanding and strategic partnerships with fellow Orasecom member States. These regional collaborations reflect a collective commitment to climate resilience, sustainable water management and regional integration,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement.

Through Orasecom, the basin States developed an Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, followed by the Climate Resilient Investment Strategy, which identifies 36 priority infrastructure projects essential to the basin’s future.

Highlighted projects include the Orange River project and Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift intervention options; the Lesotho-to- Botswana water transfer scheme; the Integrated Vaal River Intervention System; the Caledon-to-Greater Bloemfontein transfer; the Greater Bloemfontein internal resource improvements; and the Gariep-to-Greater Bloemfontein transfer.

Seitlholo highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and the relevance of the conference to South Africa’s water sector.

“Water knows no borders, and neither should our cooperation. The Orasecom Investment Conference is more than a funding event, it is a reaffirmation of our shared vision for sustainable development and regional integration,” he said.

“South Africa remains firmly committed to Orasecom’s mission and values, and we look forward to strengthening partnerships that will ensure lasting water security for all basin States.”

The Orasecom Investment Conference is a critical platform for uniting stakeholders in advancing water infrastructure projects that drive socioeconomic development, improve water quality and access and build climate resilience across Southern Africa.