Africa water conference kicks off
Water security fundamental to development
The meeting brings together African ministers to discuss, among other issues, ways to tackle the impacts of droughts, floods, sharp increases in food and commodity prices, as well as other climate change challenges.
The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) opened its 13th ordinary session of the executive committee in Windhoek on Monday.
The meeting, which ends on Friday, brings together more than 25 countries and 15 ministers to discuss Africa’s water, food and environmental security ahead of the post-2025 Africa water vision.
Specifically, the meeting comprises of two components: the technical advisory committee (TAC) and ministerial sessions.
The executive director for Namibia’s agriculture and water ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said at the opening of the TAC session that the vitality of water has become even more important as member states are putting together strategies and plans to build back better and stronger from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Water is fundamental for ensuring better public health outcomes, regional cooperation and integration, industrialisation, food security, transportation peace and development."
Action plans
According to her, this has been underpinned by continental and global commitments, including the 2008 Sharm El Sheikh declaration for accelerating the achievement of water and sanitation goals for Africa, the Africa Water Vision 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals agenda 2030.
Nghituwamata said that this 13th exco is being convened to discuss what can further be done to facilitate action on the achievement of the water and sanitation goals of the continent.
She said that the key issues and decisions that will be taken from the session will be incorporated into the decisions that the exco will consider during the ministerial session on Thursday.
"This 13th exco will rise to review and deliberate on the AMCOW work programmes and reports and report back to the executive committee for further guidance and or endorsement."
Strategies
Meanwhile, the ministers will deliberate on ways to tackle the impacts of droughts, floods, sharp increases in food and commodity prices, as well as other climate change challenges that were experienced this year.
They will also make decisions on how to strengthen Africa’s ability to reduce the disease burden and mortality rates associated with failures in sanitation and hygiene service provision.
Furthermore, they will explore strategies on how to invest in water to create resilience to climate, health and food system shocks and to improve the management of water-related disaster risks.
AMCOW provides political leadership, policy direction, and advocacy in the provision, use, and management of water resources for sustainable social and economic development and the maintenance of African ecosystems.
The meeting, which ends on Friday, brings together more than 25 countries and 15 ministers to discuss Africa’s water, food and environmental security ahead of the post-2025 Africa water vision.
Specifically, the meeting comprises of two components: the technical advisory committee (TAC) and ministerial sessions.
The executive director for Namibia’s agriculture and water ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said at the opening of the TAC session that the vitality of water has become even more important as member states are putting together strategies and plans to build back better and stronger from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Water is fundamental for ensuring better public health outcomes, regional cooperation and integration, industrialisation, food security, transportation peace and development."
Action plans
According to her, this has been underpinned by continental and global commitments, including the 2008 Sharm El Sheikh declaration for accelerating the achievement of water and sanitation goals for Africa, the Africa Water Vision 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals agenda 2030.
Nghituwamata said that this 13th exco is being convened to discuss what can further be done to facilitate action on the achievement of the water and sanitation goals of the continent.
She said that the key issues and decisions that will be taken from the session will be incorporated into the decisions that the exco will consider during the ministerial session on Thursday.
"This 13th exco will rise to review and deliberate on the AMCOW work programmes and reports and report back to the executive committee for further guidance and or endorsement."
Strategies
Meanwhile, the ministers will deliberate on ways to tackle the impacts of droughts, floods, sharp increases in food and commodity prices, as well as other climate change challenges that were experienced this year.
They will also make decisions on how to strengthen Africa’s ability to reduce the disease burden and mortality rates associated with failures in sanitation and hygiene service provision.
Furthermore, they will explore strategies on how to invest in water to create resilience to climate, health and food system shocks and to improve the management of water-related disaster risks.
AMCOW provides political leadership, policy direction, and advocacy in the provision, use, and management of water resources for sustainable social and economic development and the maintenance of African ecosystems.
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