The document outlines the development of a Central African Regional Water Policy by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to address the lack of an official water policy and harmonize development towards economic goals. It identifies key objectives such as satisfying water demands sustainably, effectively developing water resources for economic gains, and improving water management frameworks. The Global Water Partnership for Central Africa (GWP-CAf) played a role in developing the policy through workshops and studies. Priority actions include meeting potable water needs and developing water resources for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, industry and energy. Experts validated the policy which heads of state will adopt, and it will be implemented starting in November 2009 with funding from the African Water

1. Development of a Central African Regional Water Policy Chi Christopher Tamu (Coordinator) Consulting Partners Meeting (15 August 2009)

2. Background Need for ECCAS to close existing gap Lack of official water policy document Build coherence from NEPAD and AMCOW initiatives Need for a harmonious development towards economic goals Firm basis for the management of shared waters Water demands out of ECCAS region Legal frameworks: International, African and regional conventions and engagements.

3. Development process Diagnostic analysis of the water sector Identification of challenges Formulation of objectives/principles Drawing up of strategic policy orientations Definition of strategic interventions on cross-sectoral issues Drawing up of an action plan for implementation Sensitisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation

4. Main Objectives Water for all, water by all! To satisfy ever growing demands for potable water and sanitation in a sustainable manner To effectively develop water resources for economic gains To effectively manage aquatic ecosystems for the benefit of the region To improve upon water management frameworks and water governance

5. The role of GWP-CAf Preliminary situation analysis of the water sector; Identification of a regional authority (ECCAS); Meetings with ECCAS to promote IWRM; Partnership with UCC-Water, workshops; With financing by UNEP's IWRM programme, GWP-CAf elaborated a regional water policy and an institutional framework for its implementation; GWP-CAf has done part of the reviewing process towards adoption; Funding request (African Water Facility to finance the implementation of the policy).

6. Priority actions Activities would be geared towards meeting potable water needs Developing water resources for irrigated agriculture , livestock and fisheries Developing water resources for economic purposes including industry, energy, transport and tourism development

7. Implementation Experts met in December 2007 and in March 2009 Validation by Ministers in charge of water in April 2009 Institutional framework (within ECCAS) for implementation is being finalized Heads of States to adopt in October 2009 Implementation project elaborated Evaluated by AfWF of the AfDB Total cost: 2.3 million Euros, to be contributed by AfWF, NEPAD and ECCAS Implementation as from November 2009

8. THANK YOU