Organized for the first time in Tunisia with the collaboration of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), the 7th General Assembly was held under the sign of "The accomplishment of the African Water Vision 2025".
Several issues that are directly related to water governance, climate change, groundwater and sustainable financing of the network were discussed. This statutory meeting reviewed the ANBO program and functioning since the previous General Assembly (Kigali), and discussed technical and institutional issues to determine the priority work program and the future functioning of the network with a focus on innovation.
It has also provided opportunities for exchanges between the network, its members, and partners to strengthen partnerships for trans-boundary water management in Africa.
During the session on sustainable financing for transboundary water management, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory presented its experience in mobilizing the financial resources of the Climate Funds for the benefit of its member countries for the sustainable management of water resources.
After a brief reminder of the importance of water in sustainable development programs, including the existence of a Sustainable Development Objective specific to water, Ms. Khaoula Jaoui, an expert at OSS, presented the specificities of water resources in Africa, especially the predominance of transboundary waters. She also highlighted the difficulties faced by African countries in mobilizing the necessary financing for the setting up of projects and programs aimed at sustainable water management, enabling them to reach the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. As a reminder, the OSS is accredited by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF) to provide support to countries to enable them to prepare for access to climate finance. The intervention was closed by the presentation of examples of national and regional projects led by the OSS and financed by the GCF and the AF with a strong water management component (EURECCCA, DRESS-EA and ADAPT-WAP).
ANBO which was founded in 2002 in Dakar (Senegal), is a voluntary network of organizations to coordinate and strengthen the inter-cooperation of African basin organizations. The network promotes the integrated management of water resources in river and lake basins as well as aquifers, for a sustainable development and the establishment of a regional framework able to support and exchange experiences among members of the network.
ANBO actively participates in the accomplishment of the "African Water Vision 2025" which establishes a program for poverty reduction in Africa by 2025, in accordance with the principles and recommendations of the African Union (AU).
The OSS has been a member of ANBO since February 2015.
Link to the event on ANBO website: https://www.inbo-news.org/fr/agenda/assemblee-generale-du-raob
