The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) will on Tuesday celebrate its 20th Anniversary during the 9th World Water Forum in Senegal’s new city, Diamniadio.
A former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo; and a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and Minister of Water Resources, Barrister Mukthar Shehu Shagari, who served as the first President of the AMCOW Council of Ministers among other would be honoured at the event.
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AMCOW spokesman, Mr. Obinna Anah, said this on Sunday in Abuja in a statement that commemorating 20 years of AMCOW leverages ongoing processes to refocus AMCOW’s ambition in the face of current global trends, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the council will use the occasion to launch activities to formulate the post-2025 Africa Water Vision towards a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.
This is the second time in the 25-year history of the World Water Forum that the event is being held in Africa.
He also said that as part of the forum programme, the Republic of Senegal will be convening a session of the Heads of State and Government to discuss water and sanitation issues.
“The events will include dialogue and discussion sessions that collectively contribute to strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of AMCOW.
“The commemorations will also launch activities to formulate the post-2025 Africa Water Vision towards a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Anah said.
He said that Obasanjo would be recognized for his foresight and benevolence to establish the AMCOW Secretariat in Abuja; and President Macky Sall of Senegal, a former AMCOW Vice President who is at the forefront of initiatives to promote water and sanitation issues at continental and global levels.
He said, “Key among these initiatives is the establishment of a Blue Fund to expand sources of capital for sustainable, climate-resilient WASH infrastructure investment; and, Mukthar Shehu Shagari who served as the first President of the AMCOW Council of Ministers.”
In a recent consultation, the Executive Secretary of the 9th World Water Forum Secretariat in Senegal, Abdoulaye Sene, underscored the significance of AMCOW’s activities during the Forum.
The World Water Forum, also called the Forum, is organised by the World Water Council in collaboration with a host country every three years.
It is the largest water event globally that mobilizes governments, water sector leaders and professionals, development agencies, civil societies, students, youth, the academic and research community and the media for joint action for change in the sector.
