His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, UNESCO Special Envoy for Water in Africa and Former President of the Republic of Kenya, made a statement read by H.E. Mr George Imbanga Godia, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO.

In his message, Mr Mwai Kibaki recalled that during his first two-year term as UNESCO Special Envoy for Water in Africa, he promoted many initiatives in Africa to strengthen cooperation between the various actors involved in the water sector in Africa. An ardent advocate of Water as a public good, Mr Mwai Kibaki spoke at many platforms of exchanges, including the 6th Africa Water Week to find sustainable solutions to the multifaceted challenges related to water.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, insisted on the fundamental role of UNESCO in this task.

“UNESCO has vocation to host this type of initiative, given the competence of the International Hydrological Program - a unique intergovernmental program devoted to the management of water resources as well as research, education, capabilities and cooperation in the field of water”, declared Ms Azoulay during her opening speech.

This year marks the beginning of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018-2028). The Decade was proclaimed to further improve international cooperation and mobilization in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mwai Kibaki was designated UNESCO Special Envoy for Water in Africa in April 2016. His designation came in recognition of his numerous efforts to highlight education as an important tool for the success of water-related projects and activities and to promote water management in a sustainable manner.