Story by Memory Chamisa
LUSAKA ZAMBIA-THE African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), is convening the 3rd African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON3) in Lusaka, Zambia, bringing together key stakeholders to shape the future of water and sanitation on the continent.
Zimbabwe is being represented by a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zambia, Mrs Charity Charamba, said the gathering is a crucial platform for African Union member states and development partners to review the initial draft of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy Framework.
“The conference provides a vital opportunity for broad consultations with a view to refining the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and ensuring it is responsive to the continent’s unique needs and aspirations,” said Ambassador Charamba.
The document is expected to shape the continent’s water security and sanitation agenda in the context of peace, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
PANAFCON3 is being held under the theme: “Assuring Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sanitation for the Africa We Want.”
The meeting aims to ensure that political leaders across the continent are fully engaged in providing strategic guidance on the technical outcomes of the conference and on aligning future water governance policies with Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The deliberations in Lusaka come at a time when African nations, including Zimbabwe, are facing increasing water-related challenges due to climate change, rapid urbanisation, and growing population demands.
The conference is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and help build a more coordinated approach to sustainable water management on the continent.
