Key issues concerning the implementation of the mar del plata action plan in Africa

Abstract

The United Nations Water Conference was held in Mar det plata in Argentina. A series of recommendations covering the entire spectrum of the management and development of water resources was made, and this became known as the Mar det plata Action Plan (MPAP). Periodic reports have been made to the Committee, on Natural Resources and to the Economic and Social Council on progress in the implementation of the Mar del plata Action Plan and on the international Drinking "Water Supply and Sanitation Decade”. The reports made in 1985 were based on a questionnaire transmitted to governments by the Secretary General. These reports conclude that, although significant progress had been made in many fields, much remained to be done and, in particular; progress had been slow in the African region where many of the problems and constraints were particularly acute. The key issues faced by African countries undoubtedly concern planning and management since there is a lack of recognition by the decision-makers of the importance of water development programs, a lack of feasible strategies which take into account the existing financial resources and a failure to communicate the consequences in the 1990s of the current trends.