AFRICASAN PARTNERS

The African Development Bank

The ADB is a multilateral development bank whose shareholders comprise 53 African countries (RMCs) and 24 non-African countries $(non-regional member countries—non-RMCs). It was established in 1964 and officially began operations in 1967. It is headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; however, because of political instability in Côte d’Ivoire, the ADB Governors’ Consultative

Committee (GCC), at a meeting in February 2003 in Accra, Ghana, decided to move the Bank to its current temporary location in Tunis, Tunisia.

The Bank Group’s primary objective is to promote sustainable economic growth to reduce poverty in Africa. It achieves this objective by financing a broad range of development projects and programs through (i) public sector loans (including policy-based loans), private sector loans, and equity investments; (ii) technical assistance for institutional support projects and programs; (iii) public and private capital investment; (iv) assistance in coordinating RMC development policies and plans; and (v) grants of up to US$500,000 in emergency support.

The Bank prioritizes national and multinational projects and programs that promote regional economic cooperation and integration. The Agreement Establishing the African Development Bank (the Agreement) designates the Board of Governors as the institution’s highest policy-making organ, with one representative from each member country. The Board of Governors issues general directives on the Bank’s operations and approves amendments to the Agreement, the admission of new members, and increases to the Bank’s capital..

African Ministerial Council on Water – AMCOW 

The African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW). AMCOW was formally launched in Abuja, Nigeria on April 30, 2002 by African Ministers responsible for water being aware of the challenges posed by the Millennium Declaration and the regional intergovernmental responses essential for translating the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Water and Sanitation into reality in Africa.

The Mission of AMCOW is to provide political leadership, policy direction and advocacy in the provision, use and management of water resources for sustainable social and economic development and maintenance of African ecosystems and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation to address the water and sanitation issues in Africa.

Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council – WSSCC

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSC)
exists under a mandate from the United Nations. It is governed by
a multi-stakeholder steering committee elected by the Collaborative
 Council's members, combining the authority of the UN with the
flexibility of an NGO and the legitimacy of a membership organization.

WSSCC focuses exclusively on those people around the world who currently lack water and sanitation, with all its policies and work aimed only to serve those people. The Collaborative Council has a special interest in sanitation and hygiene and emphasizes the need to view water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as an inseparable trinity for development.

The WSSCC was formally created in 1990 through a United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/RES/45/181), to complete work left unfinished at the close of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990). The role of the Collaborative Council is to serve as an international coordinating body to enhance collaboration in the water supply and sanitation sector, specifically in order to attain universal coverage of water and sanitation services for poor people around the world.

United Nations Children’s Fund – UNICEF

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. The organization is active in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees.

UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.

UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children - victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities.

UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.

UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social, and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

The World Health Organisation – WHO

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.

All countries which are Members of the United Nations may become members of WHO by accepting its Constitution. Other countries may be admitted as members when their application has been approved by a simple majority vote of the World Health Assembly. Territories which are not responsible for the conduct of their international relations may be admitted as Associate Members upon application made on their behalf by the Member or other authority responsible for their international relations. Members of WHO are grouped according to regional distribution (193 Member States).

United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board – UNSGAB

The UNSG's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation is an independent body established in March 2004 by United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, to give him advice as well as to galvanize action on water and sanitation issues. At the 2006 World Water Forum in Mexico, UNSGAB put forward its Hashimoto Action plan, a concise document calling for specific actions to meet the water and sanitation  Millennium Development Goals.

Solving global water problems is central to eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development.

Chaired by His Royal Highness the Prince of the Netherlands, the Board is composed of a wide range of dignitaries, technical experts, and individuals with proven experience in providing inspiration, moving the machinery of government, as well as working with the media, the private sector and civil society

UNSGAB initiated the “International Year on Sanitation”

Water and Sanitation Program  – WSP

The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is a multi-donor partnership of The World Bank.  Its goal is to

help the poor gain sustained access to improved water supply and sanitation services (WSS). 

WSP works directly with client governments at the local and national level in 27 countries through 4 regional offices and in The World Bank headquarters, Washington D.C.  The program’s aim is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation by 2015.

For almost thirty years, WSP has led or supported many of the advances made within the water and sanitation sector. It is able to share best practices across regions and place a strong focus on capacity building by forming partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, governments at all levels, community organizations, private industry, and donors. 

Our challenge is to replicate successful approaches, continue targeted learning efforts, and support reforms that will ensure the adoption of sustainable investments in the sector that in real terms help people rise from poverty.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry - South Africa 

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is the custodian of South Africa's water and forestry resources. It is primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy governing these two sectors. It also has override responsibility for water services provided by local government.

While striving to ensure that all South Africans gain access to clean water and safe sanitation, the water sector also promotes effective and efficient water resources management to ensure sustainable economic and social development.

The forestry programme promotes the sustainable management of the country's natural forest resources and commercial forestry for the lasting benefit of the nation.

City of Durban

The Ethekwini Municipal Area stretches from Umkomaas in the south, including some tribal area in Umbumbulu, to Tongaat in the north, moving inland to some tribal area in Ndwedwe, and ends at Cato Ridge in the west, and includes the City of Durban.
It covers an area of 2297 square kilometres, with a population of approximately 3 million people.

The eThekwini Council has 200 councillors.

The Mayor of the municipality is Mr Obed Mlaba.

Durban was formerly known as Port Natal - A natural port that has grown into one of South Africa's best-known and most popular coastal resorts and commercial ports.