The World Water Week was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from 26 to 31 August 2018 on the theme: Water, Ecosystems and Human Development. About 3,500 participants from more than 130 countries and government representatives, the private sector, multilateral organizations, the civil society, youths from around the world and universities gathered in the Swedish capital to seek solutions the global water challenge. The African Water Association (AfWA) was represented by four delegates from the Executive Office, led by the Executive Director, Sylvain Usher. In addition to participating in sessions of high scientific and technical value for the water sector, the AfWA team seized the opportunity of this event to hold B-to-B meetings with partners, including those of the BMGF, India's National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), AMCOW, Swiss Water Partnerships, Water Integrity Network, Nature Conservancy Funds to name just a few ... A real on-the-spot trip around the world in Stockholm.

The happy and immediate outcome of these meetings for the African Water Association was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between AfWA and THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, in which both parties pledge to promote the protection of catchment areas of water companies and the improved management of watersheds that feed cities and main towns in Africa. This will involve mobilizing governments, agencies, donors and private sector actors to raise the necessary resources to ensure the success of the desired work through the establishment of water funds.

Scientifically and technically, the participation of AfWA in this global event was made manifest by the participation of the Director of Programs, Dr KENFACK, in three sessions organized by TNC and the AfriAlliance consortium and AMCOW on the AfricaSan movement. During these sessions Dr. KENFACK presented the activities of the Association as a member of the AfricanSan International Task Force, with special focus on RASOP-Africa on the one hand, and the interest of AfWA in protecting water resources as part of its partnership with TNC on the other. Participants on both sides discovered how AfWA, through its Reinforcing Capacity of African Sanitation Operators on non-sewer and FSM Systems through peer-to-peer learning Partnerships (RASOP), is helping to improve living conditions and the environment of millions of people in Africa.

In conclusion, the participation of AfWA in the World Water Week was a success and augurs a promising future for the Pan-African Association.