Sixth World Water Forum-Partnership for Strengthening Water Security in Africa

High Level Meeting on the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative and the African Water Facility

The African Development Bank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Ministers Council on Water, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Government of France are holding a high level conference on March 14 to discuss solutions and financing for strengthening water security in Africa, within the context  of the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille, 12-17 March, 2012.

The conference will bring together African finance and water ministers as well as development partners to discuss ways to enhance support for the development of the water and sanitation sector to ensure water security in Africa. Special attention will be given to the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, and the African Water Facility, two Africa-led initiatives that have made a significant contribution to the sector by promoting the attainment of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals and the African Water Vision 2025.  Their success in mobilizing additional financing has stirred water project development in Africa, which has positively impacted the lives of millions of people across the continent.  

The conference will also provide an opportunity for African governments and development partners to reiterate their support for the two initiatives and to reconfirm their commitments to build water infrastructure and prioritize the provision of basic water and sanitation services targeting those most destitute, particularly in rural areas where the need is greatest.