7TH SESSION OF THE AFRICAN MINISTERS COUNCIL ON WATER - 2009

SECOND AFRICAN WATER WEEK

“Carrying forward the Commitments of the Sharm el Sheikh AU Summit on Water and Sanitation: A Sprint to the Finish”

Johannesburg, 9-11th November 2009, 2008

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS AND OUTCOMES

Contents

A. Introduction

The 2nd African Water Week took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 9 – 11 September 2009 under the theme ““Carrying forward the Commitments of the Sharm el Sheikh AU Summit on Water and Sanitation: A Sprint to the Finish”. The choice of the theme underlines the realities of Africa’s water security and sanitation situation and the urgent need to implement those commitments made by the political leadership in accelerating progress towards the achievement of the MDGs and the African Water Vision and Framework for Action targets for water and sanitation. AWW-2 also served as a useful occasion to involve the 1600 participating stakeholders, including 20 Ministers responsible for water, in taking stock of the many commitments made, and the actions that have been developed to operationalise them.
A clear message throughout the Week was on the delivery of actions to meet the commitments, given that many of these commitments still remain to be implemented in many African countries. In line with the positive mood and posture of stakeholders and the political leadership towards implementation, participants have proposed messages which are informed by the need for action in the 4 thematic areas discussed during the Week.
Further evidence of the desire to implement actions is reflected in the proposal to use the AWW series to report actions taken at country level in meeting the global and regional commitments that have been made. It is recognised that Africa is 54 countries, with different starting points in pursuing progress towards water security. There are good cases to show that offer more hope than gloom. As the continent pursues its water agenda articulated in the Africa water Vision, there should be greater emphasis on reporting the successes achieved by others so as to promote lessons-sharing.
The messages that follow are presented to AMCOW for endorsement, for the eventual information of African governments and regional partners, so as to add value to the implementation of the water actions that have been identified to operationalise the commitments.

B. Framework for Reporting Actions in line with the implementation of the Sharm el Shekh Commitments
C. Thematic deliberations and messages
D. AWW-2 Concluding messages

Enclosed the full document