Issued by: SA Communication Service
PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, THE CHAIR OF THE WORLD COMMISSION ON DAMS AND MINISTER OF WATER AFFAIR AND FORESTRY WILL BE HOSTING A PRESS BRIEFING.
On: Monday, 16 February 1998 At: 12:00 (noon) At 120 Plein Street Cape Town
The Press Conference is being held to announce the launch of the World Commission on Dams and to release the names of the members of the Commission including that of the Vice-Chair who will also attend the briefing. Prof Asmal will also deal with the n ext steps involving the work of the commission and his future role with the Commission.
Video messages from the key initiators of the Commission, Mr James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank and Mr David MacDowell, Director-General and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) will also be presented at the briefing.
The process to establish and form the Commission is being hailed as unique because a wide range of stakeholders who have an interest in the construction and effects of large dams have agreed on the broad mandate of the Commission together with the actual composition of the Commission. The mandate of the Commission includes the evaluation of the development effectiveness of large dams and the development and promotion of internationally accepted standards, critera and guidelines to be taken into consideration when the construction of large dams being contemplated and undertaken.
The Commission will shortly commence work, once the core Secretariat has been put in place. The offices of the Commission will be located in a number of centres around the world.
For further information please contact Allan Taylor on 082-6584495 or Themba Khumalo on 082-8941384.