Plumbing Africa November 2021 | Page 10

8 NEWS
TAC for your approval , official launch and implementation for the benefit of member states ,” AMCOW Executive Secretary at the time Dr Canisius Kanangire said , in a speech read of his behalf by Mr . Thomas Banda , the Director of Finance and Administration at AMCOW . “ I wish to thank the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the financial support towards the development of the guidelines , as well as the World Health Organisation , Centre for Water and Security Cooperation , Speak Up Africa , UNICEF , African Sanitation Experts and other partners for the development of the guidelines ,” read part of the speech .
With the Covid-19 pandemic having put increased pressure on existing water , sanitation , and hygiene infrastructure but worse still , slowed down investments in the water and sanitation sector , further discussions on AMCOW ’ s strategic leadership and coordination as the governing council to drive resilience , recovery , and growth for Africa through improving access to water and sanitation services were discussed .
Sanitation policy Guidelines . When we agreed to support this process , there was uncertainty as to how it was going to turn out , and I thank the African Members States present for their deep engagement and feedback to the process and their interest in using the guidelines for their national policy development .”
During the General Assembly , new members of the EXCO were elected with Ethiopia representing Eastern Africa , Cameroon representing Central Africa , Mauritania representing Northern Africa , Mozambique representing Southern Africa , while Nigeria , AMCOW host country , will represent Western Africa .
The new AMCOW President is expected to lead high level engagements later in the year including a joint conference of the 8th Africa Water Week ( AWW ) and the 6th AfricaSan conference all of which will be held virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic challenges . PA
“ We appreciate the progress that AMCOW has made in recent years , and we believe that a strong AMCOW provides an opportunity to collectively engage on important issues for the sector on the continent and perform the important task of monitoring how countries engage with development partners globally ,” Mr . Brian Arbogast , Director of Water , Sanitation , and Hygiene Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said . He added : “ I would like to congratulate AMCOW on the successful completion of the Africa
“ The General Assembly also considered the adoption of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines .”
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