Luanda - The African Union (AU) Commissioner, the Angolan Josefa Correia Sacko, was honoured with the "Africa Sanitation Award" Monday in Nairobi, Kenya, for her leadership of the continental strategy, during the meeting of the African Water Ministerial Council.
The awardee considers it of great importance, as it represents and expresses that working together is an important key to success.
"I also owe this award to the African Heads of State and Government who have given me the opportunity to serve our continent as Commissioner responsible for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, which also deals with Water and Sanitation," she said.
Water and sanitation situation in Africa, she said, is at the centre of the African Union Commission's priorities at the highest level.
"The water and sanitation agenda is a priority for the AU Heads of State and Government. For example, the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) was launched by the AU Heads of State and Government to sort out the investment gap in the water sector by mobilising 30 billion dollars a year for Africa," she disclosed.
Ms Sacko added that another challenge facing Africa is the impact of climate change on water security and sanitation services.
"I am pleased to tell you that in 2022, we developed the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032). This is providing inputs for building the climate resilience of our water systems and sanitation services on the continent, among others," she said.
The AU Commissioner took the opportunity to call for the development of an African water and sanitation policy or continental strategic framework after 2025.
She concluded saying that "I would like to remind you that if we unite and work together, we can help our people and our continent to realise the Africa we all want, Agenda 2063',"
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