The African Water Association (AfWA), formerly known as Union of African Water Suppliers (UAWS), is a professional association of establishments, enterprises and utilities operating in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and environment in Africa. The association has over 100 utilities members from over 40 countries across Africa. As part of the mechanisms to enhance the exchange of ideas and recent developments in the water and sanitation sector, AfWA holds an International Congress and Exhibition (ICE) every two years.
The overall theme of AfWA ICE2020 is “Breaking new grounds to accelerate access to safe water and sanitation for all in Africa”. This theme is particularly relevant to the water and sanitation sector in Africa as most of the African countries are now faced with immense water and sanitation challenges. Never before has the need to face the challenge – to share ideas and resources; to look for new alternatives and innovations; to cooperate between nations, between generations and between disciplines – been more urgent.
The last Congress (19th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition-ICE) was held in Bamako, Mali in February 2018. At that Bamako Congress, the AfWA Executive Board selected Kampala-Uganda as the host for the next AfWA ICE2020. The 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition which will be held from the 24th to the 27th of February 2020, in Kampala, Uganda.
AfWA ICE2020 has a number of key objectives:
- Bring together a diverse range of practitioners, scientists, development partners and industry representatives, working across different areas of water and sanitation sector across the world.
- Identify new breakthroughs (both research and good practices) in addressing water and sanitation challenges in Africa.
- Reflecting on Africa’s progress in achieving the SDGs and establishing new impetus to achieve water and sanitation for all. iv. Provide opportunities for translation of research to practise.
- Provide opportunities for translation of research to practise.
- Provide a forum for young water professions, students and early career researchers and practitioners to engage with international experts, thus helping to educate the next generation and emerging water leaders.
- Foster interactions with development partners, financing institutions, academic institutions and solution providers, and advocate the benefits of collaboration and support towards achieving water and sanitation for all in Africa.
- Contribute to the continuing development and expansion of the various international, regional and national partnerships and associations viii.Bridge the gap and enhance collaboration between service providers and the political leadership.
Who will exhibit? Exhibitors at the Water & Development Congress & Exhibition in Kampala will include the following among others:
- Technology solution providers
- Product manufacturers
- Service providers
- Water & Wastewater utilities
- Knowledge & Research institutes
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Consultants
- International organisations
- International, regional and local trade media
- The exhibition will host several country pavilions and will have various thematic pavilions (e.g. cities, emerging technologies, etc.).
Pre – Conference Workshops Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 February 2020
The program provides for pre-conference workshops which may be run by sponsors, exhibitors and other interested parties. Among the pre-conference events will include the Young Water Professions Forum, the Women in Water Forum and the Mayor’s forum.
The AfWA-International Congress Exhibition 2020 is set to be the primary networking arena for delegates, congress partners and exhibitors. The exhibition will run concurrently with the congress, as it will officially be launched on Monday, February 24 to run till Thursday, February 27, 2020. The exhibition will showcase the latest and best in water and sanitation products and services and will be the largest of its kind in the African region.
The African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWSA) will be unveiled as part of the activities of the meeting. The AWSA is a centre of excellence for improving the water and sanitation sector performance in Africa. Its primary purpose is to enhance the capacity of managers of water and sanitation companies and utilities, as well as decision makers in the sector in Africa in the various aspects of leadership and change management. This goal will be achieved by combining in an innovative way scientific, technical and governance of the water and sanitation sector as part of a specific African identity. AfWA will be celebrating 40 years of existence and positive impact on the water and sanitation sector in Africa. A number of activities are planned and the highlights of the celebrations will be the 40th Anniversary Dinner hosted by the AfWA President on Sunday, February 23, 2020.
The AfWA ICE2020 is organised by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) of Uganda on behalf of the Government of the country in association with local partners and the AfWA Executive Office. The Managing Director of NWSC who is also the current Vice President of AfWA for the Eastern Region is the Congress President.
Further information is available on the congress website: https://afwa2020.org/index.php/en/
Audrey CHOMGUI