AMCOW convenes a thousand experts and stakeholders to meet in Libreville for the 7^th Africa Water Week under the chairmanship of His Excellency Ali Bongo Odimba

Access tosafe water and adequate sanitationis essential for poverty reduction. Today, 50% of the African population lack access to safe water to sustain a healthy living; and two-thirds of the population or 102 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa rely on surface water. Nearly 5% of Africa’s yearly Gross Domestic Product is affected by lack of safe water and poor sanitation, considerably affecting well-being and public health, negatively impacting productivity and hindering socioeconomic development.

To address the challenges linked to access to safe water and sanitation management, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW)initiated the Africa Water Week (AWW) in 2008, in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC) and other development partners. This year’s edition will take place in Libreville (Gabon) from October 29^th to November 2^nd 2018. The 7^th Africa Water Week (AWW-7) offers a platform for governments along with AMCOW to renew their engagement in improving water and sanitation in Africa. This flagship event is expected to gather more than 1000 participants,from diverse backgrounds, including water and sanitation ministers and experts, regional and international organizations, political leaders, civil society, private sector and scientific community.Speakers will include President Ali Bongo Odimba, Gabon’s Minister for Petroleum, Energy and Water Resources, the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; AMCOW President, Hon. Prof. MakameMbarawa, and United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Amina Mohamed.

“In Africa, sanitation represents an important issue that needs to be solved if we aim for development. AMCOW believes that by adequately managing sanitation and providing adequate sanitation services to people, we will contribute significantly to socio-economic development.” – Dr. CanisiusKanangire, AMCOW Secretary General.

In 2014, the AMCOW and its member States cosigned the Ngor Declaration on Hygiene and Sanitation,thus committing to sensitize youth, political and religious leaders, the private sector, civil society and the media about the urgent need to increase investments in water resources management to improve water security and resilience. AMCOW and its partners have also committed to implement programs and develop projects to reduce poverty, improve the public health systems, and favor sustainable social and economic development. During the 7^th Africa Water Week, progress towards set objectives will be assessed and solutions proposed to accelerate results.

The African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) was founded in 2002 in Abuja, Nigeria, to promote cooperation, security, economic and social development, and poverty elimination in member States through effective management of the continent’s water resources and the provision of water services.

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