Water and sanitation experts to discuss innovative approaches to resource mobilization and policy implementation in Souhern Africa

ECA Press Release No. 43/2008

Lusaka, 9 December (ECA) - Water experts from government institutions and subregional bodies, the private sector, SADC institutions, civil society and development partners will meet in Lusaka, from 10 to 13 December 2008 to discuss how best to mobilize resources and strengthen the awareness on water and sanitation (WASAT) in order to accelerate the attainment of MDGs and sustainable development commitments in Southern Africa.

The meeting is jointly convened by the African Union-Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and ECA Southern Africa Office (ECA-SA) and will focus on "Water and Sanitation in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC): Innovative Approaches for Resource Mobilization and Policy Implementation."

The Heads of State and government of the AU at the 11th Ordinary Session in Sharm El-Sheikh, underscored the importance of water and sanitation for sustainable development in Africa and emphasised the need to develop the related infrastructure and institutions. This commitment is in line with other major African engagements related to water including the Africa Water Vision 2025, the Sirte Declaration on Agriculture and Water in Africa; the Declaration on Climate Change in Africa and the MDGs.

SADC countries have made considerable progress towards improving access to basic water supply. However, less has been done towards improvement in sanitation.

WASAT plans, programmes and policies in Southern Africa face many challenges, including the lack of attention to maintenance and sustainability; the uncertainty about government's ability to sustain funding to support the sector, the highly variable service quality, as well as sketchy data and knowledge on the sector.

Othe challenges include WASAT capacity constraints in the context of current decentralization process, fragmented responsibilities allocated to a mosaic of central and local institutions and the weak top-level political support for the sector at countries level.

The seminar is expected to facilitate consultation among stakeholders on the strategic role of WASAT in the attainment of national, sub-regional, regional and global sustainable development commitments, especially those of the African Union and United Nations, to assess the progress accomplished in promoting access to safe WASAT, identify issues and challenges, increase awareness and define a strategy to accelerate the attainment of the related MDGs through an effective resource mobilization.

It will also serve as a consultative and preparatory meeting for Africa?s participation at the 5th World Water Forum towards a wider ownership of the regional day at the Forum.
For further information contact: Mr. Jean Luc Mastaki Namegabe, Ph.D., ECA Southern Africa Office on jnamegabe@uneca.org or Mr. Tarek Ahmed Sharif, Ph.D, African Union, Southern Africa Regional Office on oau-saro@malawi.net or tasharif2002@yahoo.co.uk

Issued by the ECA Information and Communication Service (ECA/ICS).

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