Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has called for unity across the continent in sustainable water development and collaboration through public private partnerships and investment.
Majodina made the call at the 7th Cairo Water Week (CWW) and 9th Africa Water Week (AWW), which are currently underway in Cairo, Egypt.
The 9th edition of the Africa Water Week is taking place alongside the Cairo Water Week from 13 – 17 October 2024. It is hosted by the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
READ | Majodina to participate in Africa and Cairo Water Weeks
The Africa Water Week is being held under the theme: “Placing Water and Sanitation at the Heart of Achieving Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”, while the Cairo Water Week is themed: “Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities”.
Majodina started her participation by meeting the host’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly.
This was followed by a high-level Transboundary Water Governance for Sustainable Development panel discussion.
Majodina’s message during the first two days of the conference has been consistent - collaborative work through public private partnerships and investment.
“We say water is life and sanitation is dignity. It requires political will to drive the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). Collaboration and co-operation are key to our success.
“It is also important to note that government alone, will not be able to achieve this mammoth task. We will continue to forge public private partnerships because we believe that working together, we can deliver more,” Majodina said.
The Minister warned that a lack of unity will be the downfall of a continent that is rich in minerals and natural resources.
Majodina also held bilateral meetings with Egypt, the Orange-Senqu River Commission and the Netherlands, aimed at strengthening relations between countries and to propose other forms of ensuring sustainable water provision through shared water resources.
Addressing power imbalances and social inequalities
She delivered a keynote address at a technical session under the sub-theme 6: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion convened by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The session focused on the implementation of the youth, gender and social inclusion strategy, which is aimed at addressing power imbalances and social inequalities based on various social identities.
In her address, Majodina reminded the leaders that the youth are future leaders who have not stopped demanding fundamental rights to live in a fairer world for all.
“Amidst the demands for universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene, we have seen how the youth have been actively involved in advocating for action that will ensure that the water resources are managed correctly for the future,” she said.
The Minister further emphasised that water related matters should not be an appendix in policies and frameworks, but rather part of the main discussion.
“You cannot replace water and therefore we must walk, talk, sleep, jump, laugh and cry water throughout. Water needs to be at the top of the agenda by leaders,” Majodina said.
Minister Majodina will continue with various sessions in Cairo for the remainder of the AWW and CWW conference. – SAnews.gov.za
