FINAL REPORT 5 TH ORDINARY SESSION OF AMCOW HELD ON NOVEMBER 2004 AT THE IMPERIAL RESORT BEACH HOTEL ENTEBBE, UGANDA

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1 AMCOW AFRICAN MINISTERS COUNCIL ON WATER CONSEIL DES MINISTRES AFRICAINS CHARGES DE L EAU FINAL REPORT of the 5 TH ORDINARY SESSION OF AMCOW HELD ON NOVEMBER 2004 AT THE IMPERIAL RESORT BEACH HOTEL ENTEBBE, UGANDA

2 1. INTRODUCTION The 5 th Ordinary Session of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) convened on November 2004 at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda. Member countries and some development partners attended the general assembly. The attendance list is attached. The 5 th Ordinary Session deliberated on the report submitted by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). 2. SCOPE OF THE REPORT The scope of the deliberations and report include the following: I. Election of the President/Chair and Executive Committee. II. III. IV. III. Appreciation to the outgoing President / Chair and Executive Committee. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Rules of procedure. Secretariat hosting agreement. IV. Triennial work programme ( ). V. AMCOW Trust Fund. VI. VII. VIII. IX. African Water Facility. G8 Action Plan / German Initiative. European Union Water Initiative. Water for African Cities Programme. X. Civil Society Organizations. XI. Rainwater Harvesting. XII. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 13). XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. World Economic Forum: Africa Exchange Program. ACP-EU Water Facility. World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme. Water Resources, Sanitation and Hygiene (WARSH) Fair. African Water Taskforce on Water and Sanitation. XVIII. Africa s Water Week. 2

3 XIX. 4 th World Water Forum (Mexico 2006). XX. Venue and Date of the AMCOW 6 th Ordinary Session. 3 ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT/ CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS At the Meeting of the Executive Committee of AMCOW on June 30, 2004, in Tunis, the Ministers agreed to convene the next general assembly in Kampala, Uganda in line with the acceptance of the hosting offer by the Ugandan Government. The opening of the 5 th Council meeting was presided by the first and outgoing Chairperson of the AMCOW, Alhaji Shagari, Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Nigeria. The session started with election of Ms. Maria Mutagamba, Honourable Minister of State for Water, Uganda as the new Chairperson of AMCOW for This was followed by adoption of nomination of the executive members, including the Vice Presidents from the subregions as listed below:- The Council approved the composition of the new Executive Committee as follows: o President, Uganda. o Eastern Africa: Ethiopia (Vice President), Rwanda and Tanzania o Western Africa: Senegal (Vice President), Ghana and Burkina-Faso. o Central Africa: Republic of Congo (Vice President), Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad o Northern Africa: Algeria (Vice President), Morocco and Libya o Southern Africa: Lesotho (Vice President), South Africa and Namibia 4. APPRECIATION TO THE OUTGOING CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The new chair H.E. Maria Mutagamba, Hon. Minister of State for Water of Uganda took her seat and made some remarks. She thanked the Council for electing her and her team of Executive Members. The Council congratulated her and wished her and her team a very successful tenure. The Council expressed gratitude to the outgoing chairman, Alhaji Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, the Hon. Minister of Water Resources of Nigeria for his outstanding leadership through the formative years of AMCOW. The Council also thanked the outgoing Executive Committee for steering the affairs of AMCOW during the last two and a half years. The Council mandated the new Chair to write appreciation letter to the outgoing Chair on behalf of AMCOW. 5. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) At its 5 th regular meeting in Tunis on 30 th June 2004 the AMCOW-EXCO directed AMCOW- TAC to redesign the proposed AMCOW Constitution as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with some amendments. 3

4 At its meeting of the 3 rd of November 2004 held at Entebbe Uganda, AMCOW TAC proposed further amendments to the MOU by adding clauses on dissolution and decision making. At the current meeting, the council considered the proposal by TAC, which was already approved by EXCO. The council made further amendments as follows: 1. The reference to annex 1 on the terms of reference for the Executive Committee in the French version of the document be deleted 2. Article 12b on the sub-regional structures of AMCOW be amended to include a ministerial segment, an experts segment and a secretariat. 3. Reference should be made to the position of 5 vice presidents, one per sub-region, to be elected among the 3 Executive members from each subregion. 4. Article 6 section 3 on the mission be amended to include the word environmental in the phrase management of water for sustainable, social and economic development. 5. In article 9 the election of President should be by the General assembly rather than among 15 EXCO members. 6. In articles 6 and 7, the appointment of staff should be made by executive committee and approved by the General Assembly 7. In the preamble, the reference to the African Vision should read, The African Water Vision as adopted during the second World Water forum in the Hague in March The Council adopted the Memorandum of Understanding as amended 2. The Council directed the Secretariat to make clean copy of the MOU and circulate to members for signature 3. The Council directed TAC to look into the issue of rotation of Presidency among subregions referred to in section 3 of article 9 and come up with opinion of the subregions on the sequence of rotation. 6. RULES OF PROCEDURE At the 5 th regular meeting in Tunis on 30 th June 2004, AMCOW-EXCO directed the AMCOW-TAC to redraft the Rules of Procedure and submit for consideration at the next meeting in Kampala. On this directive, AMCOW-TAC, at an emergency meeting in Tunis, requested Tanzania to draft the new rules of procedure. Comments from other countries were to be forwarded to Tanzania. Three draft proposals were presented to the October 2004 TAC meeting in Addis Abbaba. The proposals were from Southern African sub-region, West African sub-region and Tanzania. After deliberations, TAC adopted a proposal to form the basis for further work. Ministers were further invited to note that at its Entebbe meeting TAC recommended amendment of the article on decision making to read as follows: - Except as otherwise provided in the present rules of procedure, decisions of AMCOW shall be taken by consensus, failing which by two-thirds majority of members in attendance. Ministers were also invited to note that the TAC further recommends Rule 2 on Extraordinary meetings to be amended as follows: Extra-ordinary meetings could be convened by the Chair upon the request of one sub-region supported by another. 4

5 It was therefore recommended that Ministers adopt the Rules of Procedure as amended. The Council adopted the Rules of Procedure. 7. SECRETARIAT HOSTING AGREEMENT The Executive Committee, at its meeting in Tunis in June 2004, expressed an appreciation of the offer by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to host the AMCOW Secretariat. However, the Committee observed that the Secretariat needs to be strengthened and considered the following options: a) That the Secretariat should be hosted by a functional Africa-based institution or b) That the Secretariat should continue to be in Abuja provided that a proper hosting arrangement is prepared and concluded with the Federal Government of Nigeria and AMCOW. The latter option was adopted by EXCO with the following instructions that TAC, in collaboration with the Interim Secretariat, should prepare a draft hosting agreement for consideration by AMCOW at its next meeting in Uganda. Ministers are further invited to note that, the TAC at its meeting in Addis Ababa (October 2004), having considered its own proposal, developed as instructed by EXCO, observed that such a proposal should rather come from prospective hosting country, Nigeria. The TAC therefore, requested the Secretariat to invite the Nigerian Government to submit a proposal for the hosting agreement for consideration of AMCOW. At the 7 th meeting of the TAC in Entebbe, November 2004, the Secretariat reported that the request had been presented to the Nigerian Government for its consideration and that the matter is being given due attention. Some TAC members took account of the two options considered by EXCO in Tunis in June 2004 and formed the view that those two options are still valid. On the other hand, some were of the opinion that the TAC should simply forward their recommendations to EXCO, which will in turn formally request Nigeria to submit a proposal on a hosting agreement. Therefore, TAC invited the AMCOW Executive Committee to take the final decision on the matter.due to adoption of TAC report without deliberations, EXCO passed the final decision to the Council. It was finally decided that the Secretariat should be retained in Nigeria and that UNEP be requested to work closely with the Secretariat in order to strengthen it. Details of the support from UNEP will be worked out later. 1. The Council agreed on a period of six (6) months within which Nigeria should come up with the hosting agreement for the consideration by the Executive Committee 2. The Council mandated the Chair to write to UNEP requesting it to support/work closely with the Secretariat in order to strengthen it. 5

6 8. AMCOW TRI-ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME At the 5 th regular meeting of AMCOW-EXCO in Tunis on 30 th June 2004 a draft of a triannual work programme for AMCOW was presented to EXCO for consideration. The key points of the proposed work plan are: i. Support to the governing body (AMCOW) and its institutional organs ii. iii. iv. Strengthening collaboration with continental bodies Implementing the AMCOW Ministerial Commitments Contribute to international events and processes The EXCO considered the work plan necessary for implementation, review and evaluation purposes. In this regard EXCO directed TAC and the Secretariat to cost the work programme for budgeting purposes and present to EXCO at its next meeting for approval. As a follow up to the directives of AMCOW-EXCO, the AMCOW-TAC tasked the Secretariat to work with UNEP to further develop the work programme to include the required finances. In compliance with EXCO and TAC directives, the Secretariat with input from UNEP further developed the work programme and presented it to TAC for consideration. After deliberation, the TAC accepted the work programme, but directed the Secretariat translate the document into French with assistance of UNEP. At its meeting of 3 rd November 2004 in Entebbe, the Secretariat notified the AMCOW-TAC that the French version is now available and had been circulated. TAC invited the Council to approve the Work Programme and instruct the Secretariat to implement it. The Council noted that the Triennial Work Programme was acceptable to all the subregions. The Council approved the Triennial Work Programme ( ) and directed the Secretariat to implement it. 9. AMCOW TRUST FUND At the 5 th AMCOW-TAC regular meeting in Tunis on 30 th June 2004 AMCOW-TAC presented to the EXCO the need to establish a Trust Fund to enable AMCOW mobilize resources for smooth operation of the Secretariat and other AMCOW activities. The EXCO accepted the idea and directed TAC to come up with modalities of establishing an AMCOW Trust Fund. As a follow up to the EXCO directives, TAC requested the Secretariat to link up with UNEP to work out the modalities. In compliance with the EXCO and TAC directives, a proposal on establishing a Trust Fund in UNEP was presented to the TAC at this meeting. The proposal contains guidelines on 6

7 establishing the Trust Fund in UNEP and Terms of reference for the administration of a General Trust Fund for AMCOW. After deliberations, the TAC accepted and recommended to the Council the idea of hosting the Trust Fund with UNEP with the request to approve the Guidelines and Terms of Reference presented. During the deliberation by the Ministers, the Chair sought the mandate of the Council to mobilize resources. 1. The Council approved the proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) and the establishment of the AMCOW Trust Fund. 2. The Council approved the hosting of the Trust Fund by UNEP. 3. The Council mandated the EXCO and President / Chair to mobilize financial resources for the Trust Fund. 10. AFRICAN WATER FACILITY AMCOW will recall that at its fourth session in Addis Ababa (December 2003), considered a status report on the establishment of the African Water Facility to be housed in the African Development Bank. The Ministers commended the progress made. At the AMCOW Executive Committee meeting in Tunis (June 2004), the Ministers deliberated on the arrangement for the AWF and accepted, in principle, to launch the Facility. At its meeting in Entebbe, AMCOW-TAC considered a progress report on the African Water Facility. While welcoming the efforts made in making the Facility operational, TAC invited the Bank to provide clarification on the following technical issues: The Legal instrument as it relates to ownership of the Facility Immunities, privileges, and authority for the appointment of the senior staff of the Facility Resolution of disputes Roles and functions of the organs of the Facility AMCOW is invited to direct TAC to set up an ad-hoc working group consisting of ten members (two from each sub-region) in order to examine the above and any other emerging issues as and when necessary. During deliberation, the Ministers noted that the establishment of the African Water Facility was one of the outstanding achievements of AMCOW. The Ministers agreed with setting up of ten-member working group/committee by TAC (composed of 2 members per sub-region). The working group could seek the services of financial, legal and any other experts. The Council also received nomination of 5 Governing Council members from the subregions. Conclusion 1. The Council considered the African Water Facility as an outstanding achievement. 2. The Council approved the nomination of AWF Governing Council Members from the subregion. The members are: Egypt (North Africa), Lesotho (Southern Africa), Senegal (Western Africa), Ethiopia (Eastern Africa) and Republic of Congo (Central Africa). 7

8 3. The Council approved the setting up of a ten-member working group/committee by TAC to discuss with ADB on the above issues. 11. G8 ACTION PLAN / GERMAN INITIATIVE AMCOW is invited to note that at its 5 th regular meeting in Tunis on 30 th June 2004, the AMCOW-TAC, in consultation with the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), submitted a project proposal for consideration. The project proposal has three components: - Competence centres at river basin level - Knowledge management of baseline information on river basin - Policy development The TAC was informed that the G-8 proposal, supported by Germany, was initially intended to facilitate trans-boundary cooperation on river and lake management in Africa. In addition, it was reported that, at their Tunis meeting, EXCO had stressed the priority for funding in the firsts phase to be for infrastructure rather than policy development and capacity building. TAC members observed, however, that the 2 million Euros committed to the G-8 programme was not enough to support substantial water infrastructure development across the region. There was general consensus that the money should rather be used to strengthen the capacity of regional and sub-regional institutions. Such a concept would achieve the objectives of the German Initiative which placed emphasis on the management of transboundary waters particularly considering that most large drainage basins in Africa are transboundary. The Ministers were invited to approve the project concept and direct TAC to develop the project documents with the understanding that the necessary flexibility will be exercised in respect to the focus and scope of the project. Such flexibility will also facilitate the necessary adaptation to specific sub-regional needs. After deliberations, the Ministers reached the following conclusions. 1. The Council approved the project concept. 2. The Council directed TAC to develop the project document. 12. EUROPEAN UNION (EU) WATER INITIATIVE At the 5 th regular meeting of AMCOW-EXCO in Tunis on 30 th June 2004 reports from five working groups of EU Water initiative were presented. The five working groups comprising TAC and EU officials addressed the following focal areas identified under the EU Water Initiative: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Water Supply and Sanitation Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Finance Research Monitoring TAC agreed, at its emergency meeting in Tunis that the AMCOW-TAC group leaders of the Africa-EU Initiative should follow-up the issues concerning their respective groups. 8

9 At the meeting of TAC in Addis Ababa, October 2004, the EU presented a report of a study conducted on five (5) river basins under phase II. The EU requested that while the report is being considered by AMCOW, new river basins should be selected for phase II. At the meeting of TAC in Entebbe on 3 November 2004, subregions responded to the IWRM group report. The Western and Central African subregions endorsed the report on Volta. Niger and Lake Chad Basins; while Eastern and Southern African subregions said that they would not even comment on the report until efforts had been made to secure local ownership through broad-based consultations. The representative of the European Union responded that the 10 million Euros can only be committed when all the River Basin Organizations (RBOs) have approved their respective reports thereby ensuring ownership On the Water Supply and Sanitation component, the Central African Sub-region pointed out that the European Union was yet to designate a lead country for the sub-region as foreseen in the Initiative. The EU responded that they are yet to get any EU country willing to lead in the African region. It was suggested that the selected countries for the programme can also take the initiative to seek a lead country. The TAC invited the Ministers to: - urge the relevant River Basin Organizations to engage with the European Union (EU) with a view to finalizing their respective reports as a matter of urgency. - Urge the EU to designate a lead country on Water Supply and Sanitation for the Central African sub-region. - direct TAC to undertake a review of the EU Water Initiative for Africa, including an assessment of progress made so far and to develop proposals on the way forward. After deliberations the Council reached the following decisions: 1. The Council urged the relevant River Basin Organizations to engage with the European Union (EU) with a view to finalizing their respective reports as a matter of urgency. 2. The Council urged the EU to designate a lead country on Water Supply and Sanitation for the Central African sub-region. 3. The Council directed TAC to undertake a review of the EU Water Initiative for Africa, including an assessment of progress made so far and to develop proposals on the way forward. 13. WATER FOR AFRICAN CITIES PROGRAMME. AMCOW is invited to note that in Tunis, June 2004, UN-Habitat presented to AMCOW EXCO a programme for phase II of Water for African cities, which contained proposal on the potentials for linkages with AMCOW processes. Additional briefing was provided at the AMCOW-TAC meeting in Entebbe, November The AMCOW TAC noted the progress made which will now facilitate the finalization of a proposal for a formal AMCOW response. After deliberation the Council reached the following decisions. 9

10 1. The Council directed TAC to work closely with UN-Habitat to finalize the response to its proposals. 14. CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS: At the ordinary session of AMCOW in Addis Ababa, December 2003, AMCOW reaffirmed its commitment to work with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in order to promote the process of achieving the MDGs for Africa. AMCOW however, advised the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to form themselves into a unified group in order to facilitate proper dialogue with AMCOW. On the instruction of the Chair, the CSOs were invited to the TAC meeting in Addis Ababa (October 2004). At this meeting the CSOs made a presentation to the TAC. The TAC appreciated the role of the CSOs and was happy to learn that the CSO have organized themselves into a body that AMCOW can engage with. Ministers were invited to direct TAC to develop a strategy for enhancing the engagement of Civil Society Organizations in the work of AMCOW. The Council welcomed the active and creative participation of civil society partners. AMCOW recognizes the important role that civil society can play in awareness raising, capacity building and in implementation of water resources programmes. The Council directed TAC to develop a strategy for engagement of Civil Society Organizations in the work of AMCOW. 15. RAINWATER HARVESTING: The Minister from Mauritius made a presentation on rainwater harvesting. A call was made on Council to include rainwater harvesting technology option in the policies and strategies for water supply. It was also recommended that rainwater harvesting be part of the water policy package that AMCOW will be presenting at the 13 th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Council requested the TAC to look into above proposal with a view to advise the Ministers appropriately. The Council directed TAC to study the proposals on rainwater harvesting and make concrete recommendation to EXCO. 16. COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (CSD 13): 10

11 The Vice-Chair of CSD13, Mr. Khaled Elbakly made a presentation on CSD13 on behalf of the Chair, H.E. John Ashe. He praised AMCOW for advancing the African water agenda. He also acknowledged the contribution of AMCOW at global stage, especially the CSD12. He explained that while CSD12 highlighted the challenges/issues that needed to be addressed in order to move implementation of WSSD and MDG forward, CSD13 will focus on policy options and possible actions that can be taken to tackle the challenges, obstacles and constraints identified in CSD12. He finally called on the Ministers to determine the modality by which they can prepare an input in a coherent manner on policies to overcome the already identified obstacles for CSD13. In response the Council agreed that AMCOW would prepare a significant input to CSD13 outlining Africa s assessment of the major policy challenges facing the region, as well as the policy initiatives and approaches underway to address these challenges. The Council directed TAC to work with other experts to come up with policy proposals as an input to CSD WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM: AFRICA EXCHANGE PROGRAM A presentation was made on Africa Water Exchange Program of the World Economic Forum. The Council was informed that President Chisano of Mozambique and Ms Gugu Moloi of Umgeni Water, South Africa launched the program in Maputo in June The essence of the Africa Water Exchange Program is to bring together public and private sector role-player to speed up water and watershed management services delivery throughout Africa. The presentation aims to elicit the support of AMCOW for the World Economic Forum s Africa Water Exchange Program through promoting an equitable and transparent system for the formalized collaboration between the public and private sectors to speed up water and sanitation services delivery. After deliberations, the Council reached the following conclusion. The Council welcomed the launching of the program and directed TAC to study the proposal with a view to advising the Ministers appropriately. 18. ACP-EU Water Facility Mr. Martin Walshe made presentation on the ACP-EU Water Facility. The purpose of presentation was to inform the Ministers about launch of the call for proposals of the ACP-EU Water Facility coming up within the next two weeks. The Facility will be completely demand driven and should be a catalyst in mobilizing additional resources for water and sanitation. A 11

12 call was made on the Ministers, water experts and all stakeholders to mobilize potential applicants. Mr Walshe informed the Council that the proposal from the European Commission for the first 250 million Euro tranch of the Water Facility includes an initial contribution to the African Water Facility which is designed to reinforce the synergies and complementarily between the African Water Facility and the ACP-EU Water Facility. The council welcomed the news on the ACP-EU Water Facility and requested all stakeholders to take advantage of the Call for Proposals and apply. 19. WORLD BANK WATER AND SANITATION PROGRAMME The Team Leader of the Programme, Mr. Piers Cross presented to the Council the World Bank Programme. He explained that the Programme is aimed at developing roadmaps to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water and sanitation. He said that most countries in Africa have water supply and sanitation plans but do not relate their targets to the MDGs. He expressed that some countries have developed plans to achieve the MDGs, which are largely developed by outside agencies and are yet to incorporate these plans into national plans and budgets. He pointed that the Bank had proposed a pan-african process - TOP Tracking our Progress, to help countries develop and track progress towards the achievement of the MDGs and exchange of information. The Team Leader gave the following fivestep process that the Bank developed for constructing roadmaps: assemble relevant existing facts and initiatives; hold national consultation; clarify and endorse national targets and actions; implementation in cooperation with water facilities and other interested parties; monitor process implementation. The Council welcomed the World Bank Tracking our Progress (TOP) process for the achievement of MDGs and requested all stakeholders to take advantage of the process. 20. WATER RESOURCES, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WARSH) FAIR Hon. Minister J.T.R. Mujuru made the presentation on Water Resources, Sanitation and Hygiene (WARSH) Fair hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development, Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Water Resources and Infrastructure, Zimbabwe from September She briefed the Council that the aims of the WARSH Fair were to create an environment to discuss issues critical to the development of water supply and sanitation, facilitate cooperation between stakeholders in the SADC region and developed countries, and create a network of water supply and sanitation professionals. She stressed on the reduction of HIV/AIDS disease through improved sanitation. The Council welcomed 12

13 the presentation and the WARSH Fair for promoting water resources, sanitation and hygiene issues as key to sustainable development. It also commended their efforts for promoting dialogue between policy makers and water resources, sanitation and hygiene professionals as well as sharing information on progress towards meeting the millennium development goals. AMCOW will maintain an inventory of this and similar initiatives to raise awareness of best practices. The Chair reiterated that AMCOW would launch an initiative (AMIWASH) to bring the issue of sanitation to the centre stage of its work. 21. AFRICAN WATER TASKFORCE ON WATER AND SANITATION The Chair of the African Water Taskforce on water and sanitation, Albert Wright made a presentation on Integrated Management 2005 to the Council during the Partnership Segment. He informed the Council that the primary goal of the Taskforce is advocacy and awareness raising which are key challenges in water management. He stressed that the Taskforce also serves as a think tank on strategic issues, initiatives and events pertaining to water as an instrument for economic development in Africa. He presented the proposals of the Taskforce for the consideration of AMCOW: development of a strategy to ensure the achievement of the water and sanitation targets (MDGs) in Africa; facilitating the preparation of AMCOW s input to the 13 th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development with special focus on the MDG/Water and Sanitation targets and investment in water infrastructure; undertaking a comprehensive assessment of water in agriculture with the aim of identifying opportunities for investment; assessment of water and power in Africa, recognizing the low appreciation worldwide of the dire lack of power in Africa and considering that hydro power could meet 90 percent of Africa s power needs. AMCOW Chair noted that the Taskforce could serve as a think tank for water issues in Africa and its proposals should be submitted to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for consideration. The Council mandated TAC to work out modalities for linkages between TAC and the Taskforce. 22. AFRICA S WATER WEEK A representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) presented the outcomes of the organized water week held in Tunis, Tunisia in June He underscored the role of AMCOW in ensuring the success of the event whose political dimensions are noteworthy. It was suggested that AMCOW considers the convening an annually African Water Week to increase awareness at all levels on the efforts being made to reverse the water crisis in Africa. The African Development Bank and other AMCOW partners will extend full support to such annual events. 13

14 AMCOW endorsed convening an annually African Water Week TH WORLD WATER FORUM (MEXICO 2006) A representative of the World Water Council presented a progress report on the preparatory work for the 4 th World Water Forum. He recounted the previous World Water Forums held and gave the Council the plan of Regional preparations that have been outlined for the 4 th World Water Forum that would hold in Mexico in He urged AMCOW to spearhead Africa s activities and contribution. AMCOW commended the preparatory work and would work closely towards the African Regional position at the 4 th World Water Forum in 2006 in Mexico. 24. VENUE AND DATE OF AMCOW 6 TH ORDINARY SESSION The Chair of AMCOW explained to the Council that the Ordinary Session takes place at least once every two years. She pointed out that the Ordinary Sessions are to convene as stipulated in the Rules of procedure. She invited the Executive Committee and membership of AMCOW to consider the possibility of convening a meeting in 2005 to be held back-to-back with the African Water Week. This will provide, inter alia, an additional opportunity to reflect on progress made by Africa Countries with respect to the 2005 targets set by the World Summit for the development of Integrated Water Resources Management plans as well as to consider AMCOW inputs to the 5- year review of the implementation of the Millennium Declaration, which will be conducted by the world s Heads of States Summit, at the UN General Assembly in September The occasion can also provide an opportunity to consolidate AMCOW s inputs to the 4 th World Water Forum to be held in Mexico in At the last session of the Ministerial Partnership Segment, Congo, Brazzaville proposed to host the 6 th AMCOW Ordinary Session in 2006, which the Council received no objection. AMCOW accepted to host the 6th Ordinary Session in 2006 in Congo, Brazzaville. The date would be set after sufficient consultations at the level of the Executive Committee. 14