Annually, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partners convene Finance Ministers across the globe where issues pertaining the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) are discussed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 SWA FMMs will be virtual and livestreamed in three regions namely: Africa, Latin American & Caribbean and Asia & the Pacific. Africa’s FMM has been scheduled for Wednesday 4th November 2020 while the others will hold theirs on 18 November and 2 December respectively. The meeting will build on the previous FMMs since 2010.
Being a SWA partner, WES Network has for the past months been facilitating a couple of meetings to prepare the Malawi Minister for the FMM. Willies Mwandira who is also WES Network’s National Coordinator and UNICEF the Chair for the Donor Partnership (DP) met the Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources Honorable Nancy Tembo, the Finance Minister Honourable Felix Mlusu and also the Director for Economic Affairs Dr. McDonald Ma
discussions with Hon. Mlusu and Tembo
Among the issues discussed was the objective of the SWA Africa FMM which is to develop and strengthen partnerships with finance ministers in the region for smart investments in water, sanitation and hygiene. The crucial role of water, sanitation and hygiene to the African economy, population and environment during and after COVID-19.
Mwandira said, the team have had productive meetings and with the government and Malawi’s WASH sector can greatly positively contribute to the economy of the country if we can walk the talk.
Mwandira stressing a point
The SWA partnership regards Ministers of finance as critical decision-makers and leaders in creating and maintaining the links and partnerships necessary to effectively integrate water, sanitation and hygiene into the economies.
SWA key players with Hon. Tembo
WES Network will today brief the Minister for Health Honorable Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda of the outcomes and way forward of the meetings. So far, 20 Ministers have registered.