Accelerating implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management in order to close the water investment Gap by 2030 and beyond in Eastern and Southern Africa 

The 26^th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium will be a hybrid event to be held in Lusaka, Republic of Zambia at the Ciela Resort and Spa and online, from the 29^th - 31^st October - 2025 under the theme Accelerating Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management in order to Close the Water Investment Gap by 2030 and Beyond in Eastern & Southern Africa.

The Symposia have been held annually in the Eastern and Southern African regions for the past 24 years to promote interaction among policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners. Together, they identify regional issues, gaps and priorities that require further research and support. Great emphasis will be placed on integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural and social sciences. 

The sub-themes of the symposium have been aligned to the themes of the SADC Water Research Agenda under the Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Phase IV, whose main objective is:

• Promoting evidence-based implementation of SADC water programmes and projects through multi- and inter-disciplinary research, and synthesis of existing and new information, which will lead to a realisation of SADC developmental goals.

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