West Africa Water InitiativeSecretary Colin L. PowellWashington, DC August 20, 2002
As we draw closer to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 26 through September 4, it gives me great pleasure to recognize activities that support partnerships to address sustainable development -- government and non-governmental actors working together to reduce poverty and foster sustainable development. One of the greatest sustainable development challenges we face worldwide is access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Today, the United States Agency for International Development and the Conrad N. Hilton foundation announced the "West Africa Water Initiative" -- a $40 million public-private partnership to provide potable water and sanitation to rural villages in Ghana, Mali and Niger. This is an integral part of a larger water initiative that the United States will bring to Johannesburg. By working together, we hope to leverage the resources and expertise of all stakeholders and accomplish more than what we might do separately. I want to commend the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the other partners -- UNICEF, World Vision, WaterAid, the Lions Club International Foundation, Desert Research Institute, Winrock International, and Cornell University. These are the types of innovative partnerships that we hope to advance at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, and beyond, to improve human health and promote economic development. Released on August 20, 2002 |
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