Guinea: Conakry is getting prepared to host the 22nd AfWASA International Congress on water and Sanitation
For the first time in over 40 years, Guinea is hosting the 22nd AfWASA Congress on water and Sanitation. Thousands of delegates from African countries and around the world are expected to attend the congress, which will be held from 18 to 22 February 2024 in the capital, Conakry.
Guinea was chosen to host the event following the signing on 07 July of an agreement between the Société des Eaux de Guinée “SEG” (in English, the Guinean Water Company) and the African Water and Sanitation Association AfWASA, of which the country has been a member since its creation in 1980.
This high-level meeting is being prepared on the theme of «Promoting human development in Africa through investment in the water and sanitation sector».
This is a subject that is relevant to the various challenges facing Guinea, and around which discussions will be held on the crucial issues relating to access to drinking water and sanitation in the African region.
Mr André Young HABA of SEG pointed out that this 22nd Afwsa congress is in line with the vision of the Head of State, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, who is working hard to ensure that Guinea achieves the Sustainable Development Goals in all sectors.
He went on to stress that the meeting would be an opportunity for the country to showcase its potential, and to encourage initiatives to improve access to drinking water.
It will also provide an opportunity to encourage investment in the installation of water and sanitation infrastructure, and open up prospects for skills development for professionals in the sector.
The Minister of Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons, Aly Seydouba Soumah, for his part, promised to strengthen Guinea’s position in the concert of nations in resolving global challenges relating to water and sanitation.
The Société des Eaux de Guinée (SEG), under the leadership of its Managing Director, Aboubacar Camara, is spearheading this commitment, he said.
He pledged to offer the best organisation in the history of the congresses of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), and called for the involvement of all players in the sector to ensure the success of the 22nd AfWASA congress in Conakry.
Preparations are due to get under way on 6 September at the “Palais du peuple”.
Neil Camara
