Investhill participation at the 16th International Riversymposium in Brisbane, Australia.

1. INVESTHILL®
INVESTHILL
at The 16th International Riversymposium
RIVERS: WATER – ENERGY – FOOD
23 – 26 September 2013
Brisbane – Australia
INVESTHILL SPRL – Kisangani, DR Congo – T: +243 994346642 – E: investhill@yahoo.fr

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INVESTHILL at the 16 International Riversymposium [2]
The 16th International Riversymposium
The 16th International Riversymposium
took place on 23 – 26 September 2013 at
the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition
Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
The conference brought together river
management practitioners, academics,
scientists, consultants and government
officials from all over Australia and around
the world to examine the important
linkages that rivers provide to water,
energy and food systems of the world. The
four-day program offered an opportunity to
expand knowledge and networks by
listening to a range of international experts,
contributing to the interactive and topical
sessions hosted by the convening partners
and meeting and talking with other professionals. The program was structured into five key themes:
River Cities; River Systems; River Health; Rivers Globally; and Rivers and Energy – each showcasing a
different perspective of the water – energy – food nexus. The program included also the Riverprize
presented on Tuesday 24 September 2013 and the Brisbane City Council Study Tour on Thursday 26
September 2013. The Riverprize included three wards: The Thiess International Riverprize; The
Australian Riverprize; and The River Management Young Achievers Award. The Brisbane City Council
Study Tour gave to the participants the opportunity to see examples of Brisbane City’s innovative water,
energy and food projects that link to Riversymposium’s themes.
Energizing the Congo River Basin
Sponsored by the Government
of Australia – AusAID
INVESTHILL brought its expertise and experience to the 16th
International Riversymposium through the presence of its
President and Managing Director Kirongozi K. Hibert as a
Speaker on the theme Rivers and Energy.
Titled Energizing the Congo River basin, INVESTHILL
presentation was on Monday 23 September 2013, Time: 1300 –
1430, Session A3C, Room P9 of Brisbane Convention and
Exhibition Centre. INVESTHILL presentation highlighted the
water resources, hydropower, inland fishery, and land for
agriculture potentials of the Congo River basin. It highlighted
also the status of energy access, water access and food security
in the Congo River basin. The presentation showcased on how
the energy from Congo River could contribute to the
sustainable utilization and management of Congo River and its
environment as well as the sustainable development of the DR
Congo, the Congo River basin’s region and beyond. Energizing the Congo River basin presentation aimed

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INVESTHILL at the 16 International Riversymposium [3]
primary to stimulate and generate thoughts and advices from the international audience present, on the
best options and approaches to adopt for the sustainable utilization and management of Congo River.
Followed by three other presentations on the same theme Rivers and Energy, the session ended by a
series of questions, answers and comments which was very interactive and constructive. Energizing
Congo River basin presentation generated many thoughts, questions and comments and a constructive
discussion related to the impacts of hydropower development on the Congo River’s Ecosystem, the
considerations to be given to the environmental flows of the Congo River when developing hydropower
projects, the environmental impacts assessment studies conducted, the approaches adopted by
hydropower projects developers to contribute to the sustainability of the Congo River Water and
environment, and in case of big project such as Grand Inga – how will the government ensures that the
poor communities benefit from the outcomes of the project in term of energy access as well as other
economic and social benefits. The paramount recommendation that came out from the discussion was
that – the various stakeholders should search, identify and implement best options that will conciliate
the sustainable management of Congo River, the sustainable energy access for all, and the sustainable
economic and social development of the region.
The Brisbane City Council Study Tour
The Brisbane City Council Study Tour was an opportunity to visit some of
Brisbane City’s innovative water, energy and food projects; including a
CityCat ride on the Brisbane River, a visit to the University of Queensland’s
solar project, a visit to local projects in Brisbane River catchment, and a
visit to Brisbane City Council Exposition at the Brisbane City Council Hall.
Coming from Kisangani a city on the bank of the Congo River and the third
city of DR Congo, some commonalities were identified between Brisbane
City and Kisangani City. The Tour generated inspirations and lessonslearned on how to contribute and advise for a sustainable management of
the Congo River catchment as well as a sustainable transformation of
Kisangani City or other Cities on rivers’ banks.