Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo is leading South Africa’s delegation to the 10th International Water Regulators' Forum (IWRF) in Bangkok, Thailand.
The forum started on Saturday, 6 December and will conclude on Friday, 12 December.
Seitlholo's participation in the IWRF comes at a pivotal moment for South Africa, as the Department of Water and Sanitation advances amendments to key water legislation -- including the National Water Act and the Water Services Act -- which are central laws governing water resource protection, allocation, services delivery and regulatory oversight.
The International Water Regulators Forum is the world’s premier gathering of regulatory authorities, bringing together more than 100 high-level regulators and supervisory agencies responsible for water, sanitation and wastewater management.
The 10th edition, themed: “Building Effective and Adaptive Water and Sanitation Regulatory Frameworks for a Resilient Future” seeks to elevate the global conversation on how countries can fortify regulatory systems to respond to climate pressures, governance challenges and rising demands on essential water and sanitation services.
Seitlholo’s leadership at this year’s Programme Committee highlights South Africa’s commitment to bold and adaptive reform. His active role will help advance critical discussions on regulatory innovation, accountability and long-term sustainability, and place South Africa firmly within the global arena of water and sanitation reform.
South Africa’s presence at the forum will also be strengthened by the department’s Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, whose extensive expertise in water governance, sector reform and climate resilient sanitation will support and reinforce the Deputy Minister’s leadership.
The IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition (WDCE) is taking place concurrently in Bangkok. The congress runs from 8 - 12 December and is co-hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology.
The department the WDCE remains one of the most influential platforms for shaping policy, innovation and technology across the global water sector.
Building on the success of the 2023 Kigali edition, the 2025 congress will convene nearly 3 000 experts from over 100 countries under the theme: “Water, Sanitation and Innovation – Pathways to Progress and a Resilient Future”.
South Africa’s participation will spotlight the country’s leadership in advancing legislative reform, strengthening governance, promoting climate-resilient sanitation technologies, and forging strategic partnerships.
The congress programme spans five critical thematic areas:
• Ensuring safe drinking water through innovative treatment and supply methods.
• Advancing wastewater treatment and sanitation services for all.
• Smart and integrated water management.
• Enhancing utility management and operations.
• Strengthening governance and financial systems for long-term development.
“Through this engagement, the Deputy Minister will champion South Africa’s reform journey, contribute to shaping the global agenda, and explore opportunities to accelerate domestic priorities, including scaling water efficient and climate resilient sanitation solutions.
“South Africa’s active participation reaffirms its commitment to global cooperation and sector transformation. This will ensure that resilient, equitable and sustainable water and sanitation services become a reality for all,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
