All 11 partners attended and actively engaged at this annual symposium. Several emerging scholars and researchers working on the ACEWATER III projects presented their respective research. The Unit for Environmental Ethics at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with NUST Zimbabwe convened a special session on transboundary water ethics, which was attended by 20 participants. The AUDA-NEPAD SANWATCE secretariat convened a special session on the review of the SADC Water Research Agenda, which was attended by about 50 participants. Dr Patrice Kabeya, the Senior Programme Officer for Water at the SADC Secretariat welcomed the audience and set the scene for the session.

The SANWATCE Secretariat and Stellenbosch Univeristy Water Institute also co-convened two special sessions related to the WASANet project (Water Security in Africa).

AUDA-NEPAD SANWATCE used the opportunity to also convene its annual network consultative meeting.