Mission report on the African water caucus and ECA exhibition at the world water forum : 17th to 23rd March 2000, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

The Africa Caucus took place on Saturday, March 18th, 2000 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. There were about 400 participants, and the Chairman for the occasion was the President of the African Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Omar Cabbaj. At the dawn of the new millennium Africa faces a number of serious socioeconomic problems that call for urgent remedial action if current trends towards endemic poverty and pervasive underdevelopment are to be turned around. The crucial role of water in accomplishing the needed socioeconomic development goals is widely recognized. On the face of it, water should not pose a constraint to such development. For Africa appears to have abundant water resources. It has large rivers, big lakes, vast wetlands and limited, but widespread ground water resources. Moreover, it has a high potential for hydroelectric power development.