South Africa and the Netherlands signed an understanding for future cooperation in the water sector recently.

The MoU is aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation between the two governments on the basis of sustainable development addressing various themes in the field of water.

It was signed by Water & Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa and her Dutch counterpart, Wilma Mansveld and took place during the 19^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP)19 in Poland.

The Netherlands currently contributes an estimated R820 million for water projects in South Africa.

Accordingly the MoU would ensure cooperation on all aspects related to water resource management including the following: –

• Water safety, flood protection and integrated water resources management
• Water for food and ecosystems
• Water supply and sanitation
• Water and climate
• Efficient and fair trans-boundary water management
• Water governance and
• Capacity building, organisations and institutional support

In conclusion Molewa says that the MoU is a framework which would underpin the strong ties that already existed between the countries water sectors.