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Resilient sanitation and water services - how African cities and utilities are driving towards the Sdgs

Mohamed Nbou Nbou

Moderator

date November 6, 2024 | 11:00 - 12:30
place
SDGs in Action - room A
organization
International Water and Sanitation Centre IRC
country
Netherlands
language
English
Reference: 
SDG-A 7

Summary

Our session will convene WUF participants to discuss the critical role of water and sanitation services in African cities - delivering progress against multiple sustainable development goals, strengthening water security and furthering climate action. We will draw on upon existing partnerships and key initiatives to bring together speakers and panelists representing multi-stakeholder perspectives, and use the latest research to share inspiring examples and evidence that provokes critical debate.

It will be engaging interactive session for both in-person and online participants structured around 4 parts: 1) an inspiring introduction from a local leader (of a utility/local government); 2) presentation and discussion of cases from cities in Africa hearing different local voices and using a visually engaging format and whiteboard type tool or polls to facilitate audience interaction both online and in person; 3) a talkshow style discussion framed to debate key challenges and solutions in the context of urban growth and climate change with a small panel of talk show guests with voices representing national government, local authorities, water utilities and citizens, chaired by a dynamic, professional (tv talkshow style) moderator; 4) A closing section will focus on synthesis and follow-up beyond the WUF. Live polls and the opportunity to ask questions will engage the in-person and online audience.

Objectives

Drawing upon leadership and progress shown by governments, authorities and utilities in Africa, the session has 4 objectives:
1) to share inspiring examples of change, resilient water and sanitation service provision and its impacts in African Cities. Using these cases, the event aims to identify potentially replicable models, best practices and pathways for scale.
2) to further discussion among stakeholders of innovative approaches to overcome existing barriers and unlock the potential for wider service delivery, including innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships for water and sanitation infrastructure development. This could include public-private partnerships, impact investing, and leveraging climate finance mechanisms.
3) To foster collaboration and parterships between participating national governments, local authorities, utilities and communities in achieving SDG6 and other SDGs through the catalytic impacts of better sanitation and water services.
4) to develop actionable recommendations to accelerate progress towards resilient sanitation and water services in Africa. These recommendations will be directed towards specific initiatives including amongst others the Mayor’s Action Plan on Water Security (OECD/ UCLGA), UN-Habitat’s program for scaling city-wide inclusive sanitation services, the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) systems and implementation of the OECD Principles-Based Action Plan on Water Governance for Improved Water Security

Session panelists

Panelist
Role
Organization
Country
Mr. Juste Nansi
Africa Region, Director
IRC WASH
Ms. Alice Wahome
Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Lands Public Works Housing and Urban Development
Mr. Grace Ananda
Manager
Habitat for Humanity