MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OF THE AFRICAN MINISTERS COUNCIL ON WATER (AMCOW), ADDIS ABABA,
ETHIOPIA, 27-28 JUNE 2005
SUMMARY REPORT (CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS)
TO AMCOW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Introduction
In furtherance of the implementation of
the decisions taken at the fifth session of the African Ministers’
Council on Water (AMCOW), in Entebbe, Uganda, November 2004 and
as part of the follow up action envisaged, the President of AMCOW
agreed to the convening of the meetings of :
a) Technical Advisory Committee of AMCOW
in Addis Ababa, 27-28 June 2005
b) Executive Committee of AMCOW, 29th June 2005 and
c) Coordination with Regional institutions, UN Agencies and Development
Cooperation partners, 30 June 2005
2. Attendance:
The TAC meeting was attended by members
from:
Northern Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania, Morocco
Eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda
Southern Africa: Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa
Western Africa: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal
Central Africa: D.R. Congo, Republic of Congo
In attendance were the representatives
of the African Union, NEPAD, Africa Development Bank and officials
of the UN Water Africa, i.e. WMO, UNECA, UNEP and the European
Union, Global Water Partnership.
3. Opening:
Opening remarks were made by Dr. Henry
Ntale, Chairman of TAC who delivered in which he highlighted on
the task before the participants. The meeting was formally opened,
on behalf of H.E. Minister Jarso, Minister of Water Resources,
Ethiopia by Ms Martha Solomon, who is also the Chairperson of
the Eastern Africa Sub-regional TAC. She requested Dr. Ntale to
chair the meeting. Ms Solomon called on the participants to come
up with recommendations for the consideration of the Executive
Committee. Dr. M. Tawfik, WMO, in his capacity as the chairman
of UN-Water Africa thanked AMCOW for inviting the UN Agencies
to participate in this important meeting and he assured the participants
of UN systems support to their activities to achieve their goals.
Statements were also made by representatives of the African Development
Bank, African Union, NEPAD, African Development Bank, and the
UNEP, UNECA.
4. Agenda Items:
The meeting accorded particular attention
to the Agenda items relating to the triennial work programme and
trust fund of AMCOW, the African Water Facility, and strengthening
AMCOW work at the country and sub-regional level, relation between
AMCOW and AU, relations with regional economic communities as
well as river and lake basin organisations. In addition, the implementation
of the EU Water Initiative for Africa was reviewed with a view
to making appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee
for accelerating progress.
Consideration was given to the hosting
agreement proposed by the government of Nigeria with respect to
AMCOW Secretariat. Furthermore, the AMCOW’s contribution
to the 2005 World Summit on the five-year review of the millennium
declaration as well as the forthcoming G8 Summit were discussed.
In this regard, the implications for AMCOW of the outcomes of
the 13th Session of Commission on Sustainable Development were
considered including the needed follow up in the region.
Proposals for enhancing coordination and
communication between and among the members of AMCOW were discussed.
The role of AMCOW in the 2006 4th World Water Forum was also given
due consideration by the participants.
5. Outcomes and Recommendations:
5.1 Hosting Arrangement
Express profound gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia and its
Ministry of Water Resources for its gracious agreement to host
the meeting and for the solid support and hospitality extended
to AMCOW.
Also expressed AMCOW’s gratitude
to the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic for Africa and the
UN Water Africa for providing excellent arrangements and facilities
which facilitated the smooth conduct of the meetings.
ANNEX 1
OUTCOMES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEETING
OF THE TECHNICAL ADIVSORY COMMITTEE OF AMCOW (ADDIS ABABA, 27-28
JUNE 2005)
5.2 Work Programme:
A progress report on the consideration by the EU Water Facility
of the funding proposal submitted by AMCOW was presented. The
purpose of the proposal was to secure funding support for the
implementation of the triennial work programme of AMCOW. A response
from the EU acknowledging receipt of the proposal. The Chair of
AMCOW-TAC will follow up.
5.3. Trust Fund:
In line with the decisions of the fifth session of AMCOW (Uganda,
November 2004), an AMCOW Trust Fund was to be formally established
and UNEP to be requested to manage it. The participants noted
the measures taken by the President of AMCOW culminating in the
establishment of the Fund. It was also noted that UNEP Executive
Director announced a contribution of One hundred Thousand Dollars
from the Organisation. It was also recalled that the President
of AMCOW had undertaken a number of bilateral consultations with
development cooperation partners with a view to mobilising contributions
to the Trust Fund.
i) Express appreciation to the Government
of Nigeria for its gracious contribution of US$449,500 towards
operational cost of the office secretariat;
ii) Express appreciation to the President
of AMCOW and the Executive Director of UNEP for the step taken
culminating in the establishment of the AMCOW Trust Fund and for
UNEP’s contribution of US$100,000.
iii) Requests the President of AMCOW to
convene a meeting with the development cooperation Ministers of
Germany, Denmark, Canada, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Representatives
of the African Union and the European Union on support to AMCOW
Trust Fund.
iv) Requests the President of AMCOW to
consider inviting selected dignitaries to serve as Patrons of
AMCOW for the period 2005-2006 who can assist in the mobilization
of resources in support of AMCOW’s work. In this regard,
the participants, in an indicative manner mentioned H.E. Mr. Macky
Sall, Prime Minister of Senegal (a founding member of AMCOW),
H.E. Mr. Joachim Chisano, former President of Mozambique (currently
the UN Secretary General’s Special envoy), H.E. Ambassador
Salim Mohammed Salim, former Secretary General of the then Organisation
of African Unity and currently Ambassador for Water), Mr. K.Y.
Amaoko, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic for Africa and
a member of the Commission for Africa).
v) Requests the President of AMCOW to formally
invite all African countries to make a minimum contribution of
US$10,000 annually. This will underscore ownership and commitment
and therefore can encourage positive donor support.
vi) Further request the President of AMCOW
to develop an effective resource mobilisation strategy of AMCOW
and to this end may commission a study with a view to presenting
recommendations to the 6th Ordinary Session (AMCOW) for the adoption
of a medium and long-term strategy for the sustainable financing
of the work programme and related activities.
vii) Requests the President of AMCOW to
initiate consultations with the ADB on the possibilities of financial
support from the ADB Water Partnership Programme.
viii) Express appreciation to the Government
of Germany and its Technical Cooperation Agency for the support
extended to AMCOW’s effort for the mobilisation of resources
for the implementation of the AMCOW work programme and its commitment.
The Executive Committee thanks the German Technical Cooperation
Agency for facilitating, through financial support, the convening,
in Addis Ababa, of the AMCOW meeting.
5.4 African Water Facility:
Express appreciation to the ADB for the arrangement made for the
management and operation of the African Water Facility and welcome
the appointment of Mr. Bedoumra Kordje, the Director and the other
staff.
AMCOW-TAC noted the progress made in the
establishment of the African Water Facility, including arrangement
for the convening of the inaugural meeting of the governing council
in Tunis, Tunisia on 8th July 2005. In this regard, all AMCOW
representatives on the governing council of AWF are urged to attend
this important meeting.
5.5 The EU Water Initiative for Africa:
Notes the assessment of the progress made and needed in the implementation
of the EU Water Initiative for Africa notably the activities of
the five Thematic Working Group (Water Supply and Sanitation;
Integrated Water Resources Management; Finance; Research and Development;
Monitoring and Evaluation).
Requests the President of AMCOW to facilitate
a comprehensive assessment of the strength and weaknesses in the
implementation of the Terms of Reference and for the Thematic
Group and to consult with the EU on the modalities for a mid-term
review to agree on the road map on the way forward
5.6 AMCOW relationship with the AU:
Express appreciation to the African Union and its Commissioner
for Rural Economy and Agriculture for the ongoing consultations
on AMCOW’s relationship with the Union (African Union).
Welcomes the Sirte Declaration which “requests
the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to adapt the mandate,
structures and activities of AMCOW, the African Ministerial Conference
on Environment, and the African Ministers Conference on Agriculture
in order to integrate them into the activities of the AU Commission
and its specialised technical committees.
Appreciates the briefing provided by the African Union on the
constitutive act as it relates to the specialised technical committees.
Requests the Commissioner for Rural Economy
and Agriculture to integrate into her report to the Ambassadors
the following AMCOW proposals:
a) the establishment, at the policy level,
of a separate STC on Water Resources Management in order to take
account of the magnitude of the water agenda on the continent
and the need for its focussed handling;
b) maintenance, at the operational level,
of existing organisational and financial arrangement of AMCOW.
In this regard, a contact between the AU Commission and AMCOW
should be stepped up to work the modalities for enhanced coordination
and harmonisation;
c) AMCOW recommends that at the technical
and legal level, the African Union study the establishment of
a Specialized Technical Committee on Water Resources within the
AU. The study to which AMCOW will be closely associated with will
be aimed at analyzing all integration modalities of AMCOW within
the African Union in accordance with the decisions of Heads of
State and Government of Sirte.
d) During the transitional phase of realization
and adoption of this study, AMCOW will have to pursue a work program,
strengthen its capacities and intervention effectiveness. In this
regard, AMCOW and the Specialized Committee of the African Union
will have to strengthen the coordination of their activities in
order to harmonize their programs and their interventions.
5.7 Strengthening Coordination with Regional
Communities, River and Lake Basins and other relevant institutions:
Resolve to take necessary measures to strengthen
AMCOW’s cooperation with the regional economic communities,
river and lake basin organisations and other relevant institutions
as well as civil society groups in the work of AMCOW.
5.8 Strengthening AMCOW’s Sub-regional
Presence
Requests the AMCOW Vice Presidents of the
Sub-Region to (a) explore the possibilities to institutionalise
regular sub-regional ministerial consultations with a view to
monitoring progress in the implementation of AMCOW decisions and
to develop (b) to promote closer involvement of the regional economic
communities and relevant inter-governmental bodies in furtherance
of the goals of AMCOW; (c) to encourage the full participation
of AMCOW National focal point in the implementation of AMCOW decisions
(d) work out modalities for supporting the work of AMCOW in the
sub-regions including through special partnership arrangements.
5.9 Recommendations of the Commission for
Africa on the Establishment of Centres of Excellence for Water
Sciences Technologies
Welcomes the recommendations of the Commission
for Africa and the follow up measures identified by the NEPAD
Workshop (Nairobi, May 2005). In this regard, endorse the proposal
for the convening, in Abuja Nigeria, in the second half of 2005
of a joint meeting of the NEPAD Ministers of Science and Technologies
and the AMCOW Ministers to consider the implementation of the
recommendations of the Workshop.
Requests AMCOW TAC to work closely with
the relevant NEPAD institutions in the preparation and convening
of the joint Ministerial meeting.
5.10 2005 World Summit
Call on AMCOW Ministers to carefully review the draft outcome
document of the Summit which was distributed by the general assembly
on 3 June 2005 for review by Government and other concerned parties
with a view to ensuring that Africa’s water related concern
are duly addressed.
5.11 G8 Summit
Welcome the attention accorded to AMCOW
and Africa’s water policy challenges in the report of the
Commission for Africa. Request the G8 Summit to adopt measures
for the strengthening of AMCOW’s coordinating role in the
region.
5.12 4th World Water Forum:
requests the AMCOW TAC to participate in the preparation for the
4th Water Forum to be held in Mexico in 2006 with a view to ensuring
an active AMCOW presence and participation;
requests AMCOW TAC to closely collaborate
with the relevant African institutions including ADB and other
partners of AMCOW (UN Water Africa, Development cooperation partners,
African Civil Society groups) in developing AMCOW’s input
and contribution in the 4th WWF.
Establish for the above purpose, jointly
with the ADB, UN Water Africa and other partners, (a) steering
committee, to be chaired by an AMCOW Executive Committee member,
to provide overall guidance. The membership of the Committee should
include representative of the AMCOW EXCO, AU, ADB, UN Water Africa
and NEPAD, (b) a technical committee to be co-chaired by AMCOW
TAC and ADB to give technical guidance. The membership should
include AMCOW, ADB, UN Water Africa, GWP, ANEW, World Water Council
(WWC) and other relevant bodies.
The President of AMCOW to formally request
the ADB to play the role of regional beacon and support AMCOW
in putting together Africa’s contribution and ensuring Africa’s
participation in the 4WWF.
5.13 Gender and Water Resources Management
in Africa:
Reaffirm the commitment taking by AMCOW at the Pan-African Implementation
and Partnership Conference (PANAFCON), Addis Ababa, December 2003
to gender and water resources management and sanitation in Africa.
Note with appreciation the progress made
in the development of the Action Plan on mainstreaming gender
in the Africa water policies programmes and projects and request
the AMCOW TAC to collaborate with all concerned parties in the
development of implementation proposal.
5.14 Monitoring Progress:
Ensuring the implementation in Africa,
of the internally agreed goals and commitments.
Request the President of AMCOW to develop
proposals for the systematic monitoring of the Millennium declaration,
outcomes of World Summit on Sustainable Development and those
of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) - water cycle
(12th and 13th Session of the CSD) follow up by AMCOW member countries.
5.15 AMCOW’s Communication and Information
Strategy:
Commend the President of AMCOW for the
steps taken to develop communication and information strategy
and note with satisfaction the progress made in this regard. The
necessary measures should be taken to complete the process and
request Development Cooperation partners – ADB and UN Water
Africa to fully support the ongoing measures or the development
of a full-fledged AMCOW information and communication strategy.
5.16 Hosting Agreement:
i. AMCOW EXCO expresses its appreciation
and accepts in principle the offer of the Government of Nigeria.
ii. The draft agreement be referred to
legal experts for refining along the lines recommended above.
This process should be completed within two weeks from the date
of submission.
iii. The revised draft be presented to
the Government of Nigeria for consideration. (It is hoped that
the Government of Nigeria shall have completed its consideration
within four weeks).
iv. AMCOW EXCO should mandate the President
of AMCOW to accept on behalf of AMCOW the offer of the Government
of Nigeria after the latter’s favourable consideration of
the document. The President may sign the agreement with the Government
of Nigeria or mandate the future Executive Secretary to do so
on behalf of AMCOW. It is hoped that the Secretariat will become
functional by January 2006.
