BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
23 June 2009
Pretoria — Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica has congratulated the people of France on their success in winning the bid to host the World Water Forum (WWF) 2012.
"We wish to congratulate France on their successful bid, I believe that they will be able to host a very successful 2012 event for the benefit of all," Minister Sonjica said on Monday.
South Africa made a bid against France and Canada to host the same Forum.
The minister said as fellow competitors, South Africa was not sad that it lost the bid, noting that as active participants in the forum she believed the country will play a significant role in influencing the global water agenda.
The 6th World Water Forum, which is the largest international awareness-raising event focused on water and development, would be held in March 2012 at the city of Marseille in France.
The forum, which is organised by the World Water Council, provides an ideal platform for policy-makers worldwide to focus on water management strategies and critical water issues.
Despite the country's failure to win the bid, Ms Sonjica said South Africa and France had agreed to have a partnership in preparation for the 2012 Forum.
"The World Water Council has encouraged the parties to look into enacting the partnership in the spirit of co-operation, but also in recognition of the quality of the bids that both countries put up," she said.
She added that during the forum, the department will also ensure that issues of the African continent were sharply brought into focus.
"Our focus and energy will now move to making the 2nd African Water Week, which we will host in November a great success," Minister Sonjica said.
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