A Summary Report of the First African Water Week (AWW-1)
The First African Water Week (AWW-1), convened under the
theme of ‘Accelerating Water Security for the Socio Economic Development of
Africa’, took place from 26-28 March 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel, in
Tunis, Tunisia. The meeting’s three objectives were to provide a
forum for key actors in Africa’s water sector to discuss the opportunities
and challenges of achieving water security for Africa’s socioeconomic
development, take stock of the status of the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and related targets on water in Africa, and make
recommendations for consideration by the 2008 African Union (AU) and G8
summits, and the 2009 Fifth World Water Forum (WWF-5).
Over 540 participants, including 30 ministers, met in plenary and several
parallel working groups to deliberate on a diversity of topics ranging from
policy and practical constraints, to social, economic and cultural
constraints, and institutional and financial matters. Using case studies and
survey data, participants reviewed and debated progress on the status of
water security in Africa, and progress towards the attainment of the water
and sanitation-related targets under the MDGs, drew out the lessons learned
and made recommendations for action. A number of side events were held
during the meeting, and on Saturday, 29 March.
Participants agreed on two key outputs:
- The ‘Summary of Proceedings and Outcomes’, which highlights the issues and recommendations made in plenary and working groups, and
- the ‘Ministerial Declaration on Accelerating Water Security for Africa’s Socioeconomic Development’ that reflects the specific commitments that ministers’ would act on. In addition, WWF-5 launched its regional preparatory process.
Contact information |
Arthur M. Swatson Jnr. Event Coordinator and Wiem Fradi, Administrative Assistant: Water and Sanitation Department, African Development Bank, B.P. 323 - 1002 Avenue du Ghana, Tunis Belvedere, Tunisia
(email: AfricanWaterWeek@afdb.org) Phone: +216 7110 2672 ; Fax : +216 7110 3744 |
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News type | Inbrief |
File link |
http://www.afdb.org/portal/page?_pageid=473,969995&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |
Source of information | The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)- Earth Negotiations Bulletin (VOLUME 13, NO. 1, MONDAY, 31 MARCH 2008) |
Subject(s) | POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT |
Relation | thematicdirs/events/sev356013 |
Geographical coverage | Tunisia |
News date | 31/03/2008 |
Working language(s) | ENGLISH , FRENCH |