Climate Change and Water Vulnerability: strategies and Practices for Emerging Water Management and Governance Challenges: climate change and water vulnerability

Abstract

Statement by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the conference on Climate Change and Water Vulnerability: Strategies and Practices for Emerging Water Management and Governance Challenges. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, Water resources policy-making involves various actors with different interests, stakes and powers. From the local to the national and international levels, these include interest groups from civil society, private sector and governments. As interests often conflict among, and sometimes within, these groups, good governance and strong cooperation at all levels is key to effective and sustainable water resources management. Improving governance over water resources is essential to improving people’s livelihood opportunities, alleviating poverty and achieving sustainable development. Many countries in the arid and semi-arid parts of Africa face the double challenge of water shortage and governance. Progress in water policy development and governance in Africa is still uneven and considerable challenges remain. The African Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW) and the African Water Vision 2025 offer sound political and programmatic frameworks for the way forward in addressing these challenges.