Communiqué of the African Ministers' Council on Water (Amcow)
Meeting at the Conrad Hotel, Cairo, the Arab Republic of
Egypt on 5th - 6th February, 2003

The meeting of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) was held on 05^th and 06th February, 2003 at the Conrad Hotel, Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt. Honorable Ministers responsible for water and representatives from 32 African countries attended the meeting. Delegates from several international organizations attended the meeting from within and outside the region.

The Guest of Honour, His Excellency Dr. Atef Obeed, the Prime Minister remarked on the key challenges facing the African Water sector and further invited member countries and beyond to share from Egypt's experience in water resources management acquired over five millennia.

In his address, H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, welcomed participants to Cairo. The Honourable Minister went on to acknowledge that the strong linkage between AMCOW and NEPAD is understood as a holistic response to African water scarcity and environmental degradation problems. He called upon all development partners to support AMCOW. The Chair of AMCOW, H.E. Alhaji Muhtari Shehu Shagari, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressed appreciation to the President, Government and people of Egypt for their wonderful hospitality. He highlighted the African water situation to underscore the task of AMCOW and NEPAD thus calling for courage and, steadfastness, and advocating for meaningful partnership for AMCOW.

The Council welcomed remarks by representatives of NEP AD, African Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union, the African Water Task Force, UNECA and World Water Assessment Program, FAO, WMO, Water Society of Marsielles and World Water Council, UNDESA and the Nile Basin Initiative. AMCOW noted the encouragement by the development partners to give higher priority to water and sanitation issues and welcomed their commitment to collaborate with Africa towards the achievement of agreed goals.

A number of issues were deliberated upon including the AMCOW Statement to the 3^rd World Water Forum, African Water Facility, proposed AMCOW response to the EU offer on trans-boundary Basins, Africa-San, UN Water-Africa and Future activities of AMCOW.

At the end of the deliberations the meeting made the following resolutions:

• The Council considered and adopted the AMCOW Statement to the WWF3

• The Council resolved to establish a technical Advisory committee comprising of three experts from each of the five sub regions

• The Council resolved that the proposed facility for shared waters be reviewed by the AMCOW-TAC and reported for consideration by AMCOW.

• The Council noted with appreciation developments on the African Water Facility including the agreement to host it by AfDB and resolved that AMCOW-TAC meet with AFWTF to review all issues and to have further discussion with the EU/EC and report to the Council for consideration of appropriate response.

• The Council directed that the translations of the constitution into the relevant languages be circulated for consideration by member countries.

• The Council adopted the recommendation of the African Sanitation Conference Report to use AFRICASAN as a source of support for accelerating sanitation and hygiene delivery in Africa and its promotion at the WWF3.

• The Council resolved to collaborate with the UN Water -Africa towards the Pan African Water Conference. Towards this end AMCOW-TAC is to work closely with the UN Water - Africa.

• The African Ministers' Council On Water (AMCOW) expresses deep appreciation to the President, Government and People of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the very warm hospitality and all the support given to make the meeting a success.