The 18th Congress and International Exhibition of the African Water Association, which began on Monday, February 22nd, 2016, ended this Thursday, February 25th, 2016 in the Nairobi Kenyatta International Convention Center, in Kenya. The main theme of the event: “Sustainable Access to Water and Sanitation in Africa”, was dealt with through a symposium, four plenary sessions, 55 general sessions in which more than 130 paper presentations were made. For over 4 days, water and sanitation professionals thought about sector related issues and proposed solutions to make up the large deficits, which the continent is faced with as regards quality drinkable water supply and sanitation services provision as well.

The work was opened by the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta who was assisted by the Secretary of Cabinet in charge of Water and Irrigation, Eugene Wamalwa. The closing ceremony was chaired by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Fishing, Wylliam Bett, representing the Vice-President. The Ghanaian former President, John Kufuor, addressed a video message to the participants, to express his support and his hope that this work will help to make Africa progress.

In prelude to the Congress, several activities were carried out on Saturday 20th and Sunday, February 21st, 2016, namely the meeting of the Executive Board followed by the General Assembly during which important decisions were ratified, in particular the selection of Morocco to assure the presidency of AfWA for the next two years, and the name of Mali as organizing country of the Next Congress, in 2018. There was also a Forum of the Young African Water and Sanitation Professionals, and the very first Forum of the Network of Professional Women of Water and Sanitation in Africa, and finally the Roundtable of donors on the reduction of Non-Revenue Water.

The event was attended by about 1,500 delegates from 81 countries of the 5 continents, and 500 Exhibitors representing 120 countries on a surface of stands of 1,400 m2. All the participants left satisfied, taking rendezvous in 2018 Bamako.