First African Water Week

The main objective of the First African Water Week, whose theme was "Accelerating Water Security for Socio-Economic Development of Africa", was to create a forum for African water sector professionals, stakeholders and partners to discuss opportunities and challenges of achieving water security for Africa's socio-economic development; as well as to formulate concrete policies, strategies and actions to accelerate water resources development and provision of services taking into consideration challenges and impact.

The African Water Week is to serve as a platform to prepare for a number of continental and global water events, including the 2008 International Year of Sanitation, the proposed 2008 African Summit of Heads of States and Governments on water and sanitation, and the 5^th World Water Forum in March 2009, which serves as a stepping-stone towards global collaboration on water problems. This event contributes to strengthen the African Regional Process that will present its outputs in Istanbul next year.

For updates on the presentations and outcomes of the week, as well as press releases, interviews and videos from the week, please visit the African Water Week.

His Royal Highness, Prince of Orange, The Netherlands and GWP Patron provided a keynote speech on the year of sanitation during the week.