The 3rd Africa Water Week in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, was held under the theme: “Implementing the Africa Water Vision and meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target: Challenges and Opportunities in Water and Sanitation.” It was hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
NBD was represented at the weeklong meeting by the NBD Regional Manager, Abby Onencan, NBD Advocacy officer, East Nile (EN) sub-region “ Bethlehem Mengistu and two National Programme Coordinators for Ethiopia and Egypt“ Ayenew Tesera and Essam Nada.

This year´s event, demonstrated the commitment of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), to institutionalize the Annual Africa Water Week (AWW). With only five years away from the MDG target date of 2015, the 3AWW provided a unique occasion for taking a comprehensive stock of the challenges faced and progresses made across Africa towards achieving the MDG goals and targets on water and sanitation.

While opening the 3AWW, the President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, President Girma Woldegiorgis, called for wise use of African Water Resources which he said could have been achieved through competent political leadership and positive policy directions.

Also present was the Ethiopian Minister for Water and Energy, Ato Alemayahu Tegenu who urged African governments to prioritize investments in water if they hope to overcome persistent challenges like provision of clean water to their populations. The AMCOW President and South Africa’s Minister for Water and Environmental Affairs, Hon. Edna Molewa told participants that the summit provides the critical impetus for addressing pressing challenges in a continent where an estimated 340 million still lack access to portable water.
One the final day of the 3AWW, included among the recommendations made to AMCOW were: financing investments in water growth and development, water and urbanization, water, climate and development and institutional development and capacity building.

In conclusion, the Africa Water Atlas, a visual account of Africa´s endowment and use of water resources, revealed through 224 maps and 104 satellite images as well as 500 graphics and hundreds of compelling photos, was launched.