U.S. Pledges Continued Support at Africa Water Week

May 17, 2012

CAIRO, EGYPT: Ministers responsible for water and sanitation from across Africa, international donor organizations and hundreds of other sector leaders and experts, including from the U.S. Agency for International Development, gathered in Cairo, Egypt this week for the Fourth Africa Water Week. The conference was convened by the Africa Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) and hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI).

The USAID has supported improved water management practices in Africa for several decades, and has partnered closely with AMCOW to address many of the continent’s critical water challenges.  Last year, USAID invested nearly $208 million in water programs in sub-Saharan Arica, nearly 1/3 of the Agency’s total water investment, with $136 million directed toward Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).  As part of Africa Water Week, USAID served as convener of the Water and Sanitation for Development theme, and co-convener of Private Sector Investment in Sanitation and Water theme. 

Africa Water Week is the continent's highest political platform for water management on the continent, and addresses a range of water related issues, including water and sanitation, irrigation, and water governance.   The conference theme "Water for Growth in Africa... AMCOW's Journey @ 10" reflected the 10th anniversary of the formation of AMCOW.  “I salute AMCOW's achievements over the past decade in raising the profile of water issues across the continent, demonstrating commitment of African governments toward improved water and sanitation access,” said USAID/Egypt Mission Director Walter North.

The world has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to cut in half the proportion of the population that does not have sustainable access to safe drinking water.  It has done so five years ahead of the 2015 target. But in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 40% of the population still lacks access.  Even more sobering - 2.5 billion people around the world lack adequate sanitation.  Mr. North added, “Regional platforms like AMCOW are more important than ever in sharing information, leveraging resources, and finding solutions as we drive toward achieving MDG targets.”

“Cairo is a fantastic location for Africa Water Week,” remarked Mr. North. “Through more than 30 years of partnership with the Egyptian Government on water resources, we have learned what it takes to successfully manage this precious resource.  We look forward to supporting AMCOW and its members, and sharing our experience to improve water management across Africa." Mr. North also extended his congratulations to Dr. Hesham Kandil, Egypt’s Minister of the MWRI, on his appointment as the new President of AMCOW.

USAID is committed to addressing the world’s water challenges, and creating a water secure world in which every society enjoys access to an acceptable quantity and quality of water to meet human, livelihood, production, and ecosystem needs.