Proposed 20% budget increase for water security

It has been proposed that an additional US$2 billion per year can be mobilised from African governments through a 20% budget increase for water security and sanitation.The proposal was made by an international high-level panel on water investments for Africa.Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this at the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden."During the UN Water Conference, the African Union Commission and the high-level panel launched their landmark report, &#039;Africa’s Rising Investment Tide&#039;, which defines pathways for mobilising an additional US$30 billion per year to close the water investment gap in Africa through the Continental Africa water interment programme."Schlettwein said the investment plan will define specific actions needed to mobilise US$30 billion per year by 2030 in additional financing towards water supply security and sustainable sanitation in Africa.Three problems He said that while this ambitious plan is needed, the world is facing a three-faceted crisis."Firstly, we face the climate change crisis. The effects are now clearly visible with droughts and floods increased intensity, out-of season storms, intense wildfires and consequent flooding, unprecedented heat waves, glaciers melting, and rising ocean levels."Schlettwein said these climatic changes significantly impact the water supply cycle.He said shortfalls in the required funding to address climate change and related water cycle aspects remain significant."The proposal to step up domestic financial resources is pivotal, but by no means the silver bullet to solving everything. We are saving a global crisis that requires global solutions, including the financial needs for the water agenda."Schlettwein said the debt crisis, exchange trends and financial rules are fuelling inequality and threatening future prospects for developing economies. He said this is especially relevant for Africa, with its youthful population, where a conducive economic climate for quality economic growth and job creation is much needed to ensure the prosperity of young citizens.The minister said thirdly, “we are in a political crisis with political instability on the rise.”

Proposed 20% budget increase for water security

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

Please login to leave a comment

Proposed 20% budget increase for water security

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login