SWAKOPMUND: The conclusion of the seventh Africa Sanitation and Hygiene Conference here on Friday marked a significant step towards addressing the critical issue of water and sanitation in Africa. The conference, which commenced on Monday, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by a significant portion of the African population in accessing safely managed sanitation and basic hygiene services.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the Swakopmund Declaration, titled ‘Accelerated Actions for Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Sanitation and Hygiene Services Delivery in Africa,’ was a key outcome of the conference. This declaration aims to elevate the importance of water and sanitation in national economic planning, emphasizing it as a vital element for attracting investment and improving domestic resource allocation in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.

AMCOW's Technical Advisory Committee Chair, Dr. Tahani Sileet, announced the declaration in Swakopmund. It includes commitments to mobilize funding for AMCOW initiatives, particularly for the Africa Water Facility, managed by the African Development Bank. Dr. Sileet underscored the importance of utilizing the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and resilient delivery of sanitation and hygiene services. This approach is particularly pertinent in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader impacts of climate change on public health and economic activities in Africa.

The conference also reaffirmed its dedication to achieving the goals set out in the Ngor Declaration, focusing on accelerated actions towards inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sanitation and hygiene services delivery across the continent.

In his closing remarks, Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, emphasized that the Swakopmund Declaration reflects the comprehensive discussions and diverse viewpoints presented during the conference. He noted that ministers and heads of delegation responsible for water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa are expected to incorporate the declaration’s strategies and measures into their national policies and implementation plans.