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Sector Ministers' Meeting

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Report of the 2022 Sector Ministers' Meeting

The 2022 Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), hosted by the Government of Indonesia, took place on 18-19 May 2022, in Jakarta.

Building on previous SWA High-level Meetings (HLMs), the 2022 SMM was a critical opportunity to link with other sectors, with a view towards increasing the prioritization of water, sanitation, and hygiene across national policies. 

Theme: Building Forward Better for Recovery and Resilience

For the first time in an SWA High-level Meeting, the 2022 SMM brought together ministers of water, sanitation, and hygiene, and their counterparts responsible for climate, environment, health, and the economy. It provided a space for leaders around the world to meet and find innovative ways to work together to increase the political prioritization of water, sanitation, and hygiene and ensure the integration of these services in national climate, health, and economic policies and strategies. Delegations from the different SWA constituencies also joined the discussions.

The 2022 SMM was preceded by a 6-month-long preparatory process composed of discussions at national and regional levels, during which partners jointly analyze progress, identify bottlenecks and successes, and agree on joint future actions.

The meeting was an important occasion to ensure alignment across sectoral policies, using the SWA Framework, and Mutual Accountability Mechanism as tools for stakeholders to come together and jointly review commitments and progress.

Read Press Release  Download Outcome Document

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Videos of Ministers and Leaders

The 2022 SMM preparatory process

Every SWA High-level Meeting is preceded by a 6-month-long preparatory process. It is composed of discussions at national and regional levels, during which partners jointly analyze progress, identify bottlenecks, successes, and agree on joint future actions. Through these multi-stakeholder dialogues, partners build a closer and ongoing relationship with ministers and professionals from across the interlinked sectors at national level. National and regional activities are complemented by a webinar series, that facilitates mobilization and the sharing of experiences among partners.

This also guides, and facilitates progress towards, the achievement of national and global commitments, including those made in the context of the COP, and those tabled under the SWA Mutual Accountability Mechanism

The primary outputs of this preparatory process are the Country Overviews, prepared by the key actors in each country and used as a brief for the ministers attending the SMM. Sector ministers will use the Country Overview in inter-ministerial discussions with their relevant counterparts, prior to, during, and after the meeting. They also contribute to broader sector activities, such as joint sector reviews.

The SMM’s main conclusions, key messages, and commitments resulting will also contribute to the preparatory process of the UN Conference on the Water Action Decade Conference to be convened in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023, and the 2023 Finance Ministers’ Meeting.

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Webinars

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From Solutions to Actions (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

From Solutions to Actions (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

SWA convened the fourth and last webinar of the preparatory process for the 2022 SWA Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM). As part...
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From Solutions to Actions (English and French)

From Solutions to Actions (English and French)

SWA convened the fourth and last webinar of the preparatory process for the 2022 SWA Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM). As part...
View more
BUILD FORWARD BETTER: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Solutions for Sustainable Recovery from the Triple Crises (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

BUILD FORWARD BETTER: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Solutions for Sustainable Recovery from the Triple Crises (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

SWA convened the third webinar of the preparatory process for the 2022 SWA Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM). As countries...
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BUILD FORWARD BETTER: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Solutions for Sustainable Recovery from the Triple Crises (English and French)

BUILD FORWARD BETTER: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Solutions for Sustainable Recovery from the Triple Crises (English and French)

SWA convened the third webinar of the preparatory process for the 2022 SWA Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM). As countries...
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From dialogue to action: Integrating water and sanitation in Climate Planning and Financing - 2022 SMM Preparatory Process (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

From dialogue to action: Integrating water and sanitation in Climate Planning and Financing - 2022 SMM Preparatory Process (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

SWA convened the second webinar of the preparatory process for the 2022 SWA Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), titled From...
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Constituency-specific preparatory meeting

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Civil Society Organizations: 10-15 February

  • Asia-Pacific Civil Society Working Session: 10th February, 9 am GMT

  • Northern Civil Society Working Session: 10th February, 2:30 pm GMT

  • Latin America Civil Society Working Session: 11th February, 4:30 pm GMT

  • Africa Anglophone Civil Society Working Session: 14th February, 10 am GMT
     
  • Africa Francophone Civil Society Working Session: 15th February, 11 am GMT

Please get in touch with Anjani Kapoor for more information

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Private Sector: 25 January

On 22 January 2022, the SWA private sector partners held two virtual meetings to discuss their role in the upcoming Sector Ministers’ Meeting and its preparatory process and align efforts at national and global levels.

Partners discussed the key messages and asks the constituency will bring to the event and the preparatory process, mainly:

  • Their support to countries in setting up systems and business models that contribute to achieving SDG 6 by 2030, e.g., the knowledge of the private sector can bring to collaborations with governments and other partners, and their strong focus on the human rights to water and sanitation.
  • Their response to water and sanitation needs by offering and implementing “best in class” solutions, ranging from disruptive technology ideas to competitive and sustainable products and services while assuming the risk and the bulk of the investment to test and scale new concepts.

Partners also raised the importance of how they can only operate effectively in countries with clear, predictable, and stable legislative frameworks, that are focused on improving service levels, instead of focusing on who delivers the service. Their main request for governments is to work towards creating an environment that enables cooperation with the private sector. 

Please get in touch with Joao Grilo for more information

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Research and Learning: 20 January

On 18 February 2022, as part of the 2022 Sector Ministers Meeting (SMM) preparatory process, the SWA Research and Learning (R&L) partners held a virtual meeting concerning their role in the event.  

Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, SWA CEO, highlighted the role of the constituency in strengthening intersectoral work by sharing evidence of the role of the benefit of an integrated approach to tackle the triple crisis (economic, health, and climate). She also mentioned the importance of the constituency in supporting governments and ministers preparing for the event, organizing Weeks of Action, and tabling and reviewing commitments.

Following the discussion about the SMM, Prof. Mohamed Kamara from KMRI, Kenya, Dr. Mohamad Mova from CRPG, Indonesia, and Dr. Tej Karki, NPRC from Nepal, presented the activities, challenges, and opportunities on leveraging the MAM catalytic fund in their countries. They have organized workshops to discuss the status of SDG 6 in their countries and agree on how to streamline progress in a multi-stakeholder way, leveraging the MAM. They both agreed that the SMM is an opportunity to magnify political commitment.  

The meeting concluded with Dr. Sarah Dickin of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and representative of the R&L constituency in the SWA Steering Committee, sharing an update on the R&L joint statement by the constituency being prepared ahead of the SMM. The document will focus on climate action and touches topics such as the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene for societal resilience, the vulnerability of services to climate change, and how to deliver climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene. 

Please get in touch with Joao Grilo for more information

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External Support Agencies: 18 January

On 24 January 2022, SWA external support agencies partners (UN agencies, donors, financial institutions, etc.) held a virtual meeting to discuss and align efforts in supporting the SMM at global and national levels. The agenda of the meeting covered the SMM objectives and plan, and the role of the constituency in the event and the preparatory process.

Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque opened the meeting and invited them to attend the SMM. She highlighted the importance of the constituency during the preparatory process, in particular around supporting governments in writing country overviews, organizing Weeks of Action, and tabling and reviewing commitments. Ms. de Albuquerque also encourages partners to link the SMM to other important meetings they are working on, such as the G20 in Indonesia, COP27 in Egypt, and the 2023 UN-Water Decade Conference in the US.

Mr. Paul Deverill of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the UK added that the constituency can collaborate with other SWA partners at national and regional levels by 1) convening, hosting, coordinating, or participating in multi-stakeholder discussions, 2) initiating or supporting work on the country overviews, including by identifying case-studies, 3) work towards SMART, government-led commitments supported by its partners, 4) encouraging and preparing ministers to participate in the SMM, and 5)  bringing partners and other relevant sectors together post-SMM for follow up plans and actions. 

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene, which needs to quadruple to achieve SDG 6 by 2030 – even more in the least developed countries and fragile and conflict-affected states. Partners also discussed how the SMM can make support the nexus between water, sanitation, and hygiene and the climate agenda, by analyzing the outcomes of the COP26 and preparing for the COP27. 

Please get in touch with Joao Grilo for more information

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Utilities and Regulators: 27 January

SWA Utilities & Regulators partners recently held a virtual meeting to discuss their role in the upcoming SMM in Indonesia.  

Partners discussed their constituency’s key messages and discussed the support they can provide to governments in scoping and identifying policy needs and “best in class” examples of water, sanitation, and hygiene frameworks that enable progress in the sector. The constituency, given their mandate and proximity to the population, are excellent partners for governments around the world.  

The discussion also covered the importance to request ministers attending the SMM to focus on producing sound policy and strategies for the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. Such strategies should include mid-term targets, incentives, monitoring mechanisms, governance enablers, and risk assessment tools. Such policies constitute the cornerstone of the activities of utilities and regulators, dictating their mandate, and providing strategic direction. 

One example from CRA Colombia was included in the constituency’s messages. Colombia has a regulatory framework in place with elements that foster the rational use of water resources and tariffs that include the “environmental” cost of water, this encloses the triple-crises theme that will be the basis of the SMM. 

Please get in touch with Joao Grilo for more information

Documents

View all Key documents
Key documents Type
Report of the 2022 Sector Ministers' Meeting
Zimbabwe 2022 SMM Country Overview
Uganda 2022 SMM Country Overview
Timor Leste 2022 SMM Country Overview
Tanzania 2022 SMM Country Overview

Participants

This section will be updated as we receive confirmations from participants

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Total Ministers
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Total Countries
Kefentse Mzwinila- Botswana

Hon. Kefentse Mzwinila

Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Botswana

Speaker

José Antonio Matos-Dominica

H.E. José Antonio Matos

Deputy Minister of Public Quality Assurance Dominican Republic View country commitment
Oscar Rojas-Ecuador

H.E. Oscar Rojas

Vice-Minister of Water Ecuador
Ruben Alemán- El Salvador

Distinguido Rubén Salvador Alemán Chavéz

President of the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA) El Salvador View country commitment

Speaker

Jone Usamate

Hon. Jone Usamate

Minister for Infrastructure and Meteorological Services and Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Fiji View country commitment
Nery Martín Méndez

H.E. Nery Martin Méndez Méndez

Deputy Minister of Water Guatemala
Leslie Samayoa Jerez de Hermosilla-Guatemala

H.E. Leslie Samayoa Jerez de Hermosilla

Deputy Technical Minister Guatemala
Indonesia

Hon. Josaphat Rizal Primana

Acting Deputy Minister of Facilities and Infrastructure Indonesia View country commitment
Moses Malindane Vilakati-Eswatini

Hon. Moses Malindane Vilakati

Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Kingdom of Eswatini View country commitment
Jabulani C Mabuza-Eswatini

Hon. Jabulani Mabuza

Acting Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Kingdom of Eswatini View country commitment
Amb. Bobby Whitfield-Liberia

Hon. Amb. Bobby Whitfield

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission Liberia View country commitment
participant

Distinguido Rodolfo José Lacayo Ubau

Executive Director of the National Water Authority (ANA) Nicaragua View country commitment
Minister Osvaldo Cravid Abreu Sao Tome

H.E. Osvaldo Cravid Viegas d'Abreu

Minister for Infrastructure and Natural Resources São Tomé e Príncipe View country commitment
Desmond Tan - Singapore

Hon. Desmond Tan

Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Singapore
David Abiamofo-Suriname

H.E. David Abiamofo

Minister of Natural Resources Suriname
Anxious Jongwe Masuka-Zimbabwe

Hon. Anxious Jongwe Masuka

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zimbabwe View country commitment
Hon. Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga

Hon. Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga

Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe View country commitment

We continue to navigate the uncertainty imposed by COVID-19, and at the same time, climate change increases the number of extreme weather events, putting pressure on limited economic resources. This is known as the ‘triple crisis’, of health, climate, and economic development.

Health: Healthcare is far more than medical care. Water and sanitation are a critical first line of defense and prevention in dealing with health threats, such as the current pandemic and waterborne diseases. Building resilience and the management of multiple risks are essential for securing investments to build sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Without access to safe services, everyone becomes vulnerable; no one is immune.

Climate: Building climate resilience for water, sanitation, and hygiene is not just a crucial response to the crisis. It also holds the promise of being a key solution for both climate change adaptation (community resilience to climate change) and contributor to mitigation (avoiding and reducing global warming and its related events).

Economy: Investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene contributes significantly to economic growth and the eradication of poverty. The benefits are immediate and long-term, including averted health costs, time savings associated with water and sanitation facilities close to home, less illness, higher productivity at work, and higher school attendance.

Communication toolkit

Spread the word!

SWA put together communication materials and key messages to help partners and other stakeholders in their communication outreach around the common thread between access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, climate, health and the economy, and around the SWA 2022 Sector Ministers’ Meeting.

Follow the #2022SMM on :

GIF 1

Water, sanitation and hygiene. The basis of resilient communities and sustainable development. #2022SMM

GIF 2 - SMM

The ambition of the #2022SMM is to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and become a milestone in global efforts towards building forward better, guaranteeing resilience to future crises. #2022SMM

GIF 3 - SMM

Investing in water, sanitation and hygiene = healthier populations, stronger economies, and climate-resilient societies. #2022SMM

Social media card 1 - SMM

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene has the potential to prevent pandemics, increase resilience to climate change, and boost economic development. #2022SMM

Your Voice at the SMM

We made sure that your voice was heard at the SMM, by the 100 ministers responsible for water, sanitation and hygiene, climate and the environment, health, economic development, and other heads of delegations.

Through the use of the #2022SMM hashtag, your water-related concerns, demands, and messages, were shared with participants.

Live Blog

Live Blog

Live Blog: How SWA partners are preparing for the 2022 Sector Ministers' Meeting

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Also lending their voices to the SMM discussions were SWA’s youth representatives – Nicki Becker and Kenneth Alfaro Alvarado – who are keen to remind policymakers that young people are eager to partner on the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene for all. 

To that end, SWA youth representatives from different regions joined a workshop to prepare an SMM Youth Statement, which calls on government leaders to fully and meaningfully include young leaders in decision-making processes.

"Today, there're ministers of water and sanitation, environment, health and the economy, and leaders. We can solve the climate crisis and guarantee the rights to water and sanitation for all if you all take the right action and bold decisions."

Nicole Becker, SWA Youth Champion

"We call on you to prioritize and invest in water, sanitation, and hygiene, recognizing these rights as crucial for peace, security, and economic recovery. Don’t just let us be heard. Allow us to lead."

Kenneth Alfaro Alvarado, Regional Coordinator, Red de Jóvenes por el Agua Centroamérica.

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