VIRTUAL EVENT: Water and Beyond EU transformative approaches for international partnerships

18 - 21 January 2021 - 12:00 to 16:00. Water and Beyond EU transformative approaches for international partnerships

DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA - version 21/01/21, 13 pages

This high-level event was hosted by the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships and the Government of Slovenia, with the support of the Government of Portugal as the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It addressed to policy-makers, decision-makers and stakeholders who can contribute to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The online event stretched over four days, with high-level panels, thematic sessions and networking opportunities to facilitate contacts between participants with common interests who wish to foster ongoing or future cooperation.

Seven technical sessions on various water-related topics will be flanked by a high-level opening and closing session led by relevant political leaders. Topics to be discussed include:

1. Water as an equaliser: realising impact for human development
2. Water as a catalyst for cooperation: fostering trust and peace
3. Bridging the financial gap: investing in SDG 6
4. The water-climate nexus: how to address the cascading crises
5. With knowledge and skills: water as the engine for economic development and jobs
6. Water and the Environment: resource management to support nature
7. Water as a human right: working towards implementation with all partners

These sessions were co-hosted by prominent European and international partners in the water sector, namely: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Women for Water Partnership (WfWP), WaterAid, and Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association (BORDA).

African participants:

Serigne Mbaye Thiam Government of Senegal Minister of Water and Sanitation Since 7 April 2019, Serigne Mbaye Thiam has been serving as Minister of Water and Sanitation.

Didier Sèyivè Zinsou Niger Basin Observatory Director Since October 2019, Didier Sèyivè Zinsou is the Director of the Niger Basin Observatory by resolution N° 5 of the 38th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority.

Leonard Shang-Quartey Water Citizens Network, Ghana Policy Analyst Leonard Shang-Quartey is the Coordinator of the Water Citizens Network and a Policy Analyst with the Integrated Social Development Centre.

Mamman Nuhu Lake Chad Basin Commission Executive Secretary Ambassador Mamman Nuhu is the Executive Secretary of Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Head of Mission of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Francis Bougaire African Development Bank, Water Development and Sanitation Department Division Manager for the Water Coordination and Partnerships Division In 2009, Bougaire joint the Bank as Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer, then he became the Chief Water Policy & Strategy Development Officer and since 2019 he has acted as the Division Manager for the Water Coordination and Partnerships Division (AHWS1) within the Water Department.

Moshood N. Tijani African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) Moshood N. Tijani is presently, the Groundwater Desk Officer and Climate lead at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), Abuja, Nigeria.

Nchedi Sophia Maphokga-Moripe South Africa Department of Water and Sanitation Ms Nchedi Sophia Maphokga-Moripe is the Chief Director, Global Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships in the South Africa Department of Water and Sanitation.

Tseguereda Abraham Water Aid Ethiopia Advocacy Expert As Policy Advocacy Expert, Tseguereda Abraham has with long-standing experience on advocacy strategy development, WASH Campaigns delivery, programme management, and leading country programme Leadership.  LinkedIn profile

Ben Ampomah Water Resources Commission (WRC) of Ghana Executive Secretary Mr. Ben Ampomah is the Executive Secretary of the Water Resources Commission (WRC) of Ghana. He is an active practitioner in the water sector, with over 25 years in regulation, management, institutional, planning and policy development, and transboundary water governance.