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2020 Finance Ministers’ Meetings

3 virtual Regional Finance Ministers' Meetings

 

Built on the previous SWA Finance Ministers’ Meetings, and adapted to the unexpected COVID-19 times in 2020, SWA organized three virtual Regional Finance Ministers’ Meetings (FMMs). These meetings took place in November and December. The FMMs were livestreamed and simultaneous translated in English, French and Spanish. 

The SWA partnership has been convening regular High-level Meetings (HLMs) of ministers and other high-level representatives of SWA partners, since 2009, fostering an on-going high-level political dialogue. This dialogue was especially important when governments needed solutions to ensure water, sanitation and hygiene for all, including to improve economies, spare health systems, and protect populations from COVID-19 and future public health pandemics. Ministers of finance were critical decision-makers and leaders in creating and maintaining the links and partnerships necessary to effectively integrate water, sanitation and hygiene into the economic and health recovery needed to manage and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Africa

Latin America and Caribbean

Asia and the Pacific

The FMMs brought together ministers of Finance at the regional level with the objective of:

Developing and strengthening partnerships with finance ministers for smart investments in water, sanitation and hygiene.

These partnerships are especially important given the central role this sector can play in national economic and health recovery; delivering improved resilience, employment opportunities, health benefits, and access to innovative finance – allowing the country to build forward better. 

This objective was achieved by presenting evidence and practical experience of successful investments in the sector, and by fostering an active dialogue and partnership between ministers and leaders from development agencies, including development banks, bilateral and multilateral partners, civil society, private sector, research and learning, and UN agencies.

The meetings were co-convened with two SWA global partners - UNICEF and the World Bank Water Global Practice - as well as key regional partners for each of the three regions, including regional development banks and organizations. For Africa, the African Development Bank and African Ministers' Council on Water. For Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank, and for Asia, the Asian Development Bank.

 

SWA Report on the 2020 Finance Ministers’ Meetings

Key takeaways from the meetings

Finance ministers took center stage to answer questions on how and why they financed water, sanitation and hygiene. Sector ministers partners, including external support agencies, civil society, research and learning institutions, and the private sector also highlighted their collaboration and contributions.

Ideas and suggestions for follow-up at country level

There is a higher chance of progress if the momentum, outcomes, and results of the Finance Ministers' Meetings are incorporated and taken forward by ministers, other leaders, and all partners through their collaboration at all levels.

To support in this effort, SWA has published a set of ideas and suggestions as follow-up actions to the FMMs, and ways the Secretariat and other partners can support national follow-up processes. 

The follow-up document is available in English, French and Spanish.

Co-conveners

Global co-conveners

UNICEF logo

WB logo

Regional co-conveners

AfDB

AMCOW

ADB

IDB

Water and Sanitation - How to make public investment work

A Handbook for Finance Ministers

The FMMs will also draw on examples from the Finance Handbook. The Handbook provides practical financing approaches to achieve the water, sanitation and hygiene targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The FMM lasting effect 

The 2020 FMMs are part of, and contribute to, an ongoing cycle of activities jointly implemented by SWA partners. The discussions in each of the regions were key for partners to build a closer and ongoing relationship with finance ministers at the national level. 

They also guide, and facilitate progress towards, the achievement of national and global commitments tabled under the Mutual Accountability Mechanism. The main conclusions and key messages of the Meetings contributed to the ongoing SWA High-level Political Dialogue including the 2021 Sector Ministers’ Meeting.

The preparatory process

SWA partners engaged in a dedicated preparatory process to strengthen and catalyze in-country dialogue and action and prepared ministers of finance for their participation at the FMMs. The 2020 preparatory process: 

  • Demonstrated and highlighted the economic opportunities and benefits offered by the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in generating employment, contributing to a healthy workforce, strengthening social and economic development for all and GDP growth and protecting and preparing populations for climate change
  • Mobilized political leaders to identify and agreed on areas for SMART investments in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector during and after COVID-19,
  • Developed and strengthened partnerships that supported ministers responsible for finance, sanitation, water, hygiene and health to work together in achieving the necessary reforms, attracting additional resources and delivering at-scale services for all, especially for the marginalized and the vulnerable populations,
  • Secured long-term engagement from participants and concrete results through the SWA Mutual Accountability Mechanism by tabling and reviewing SMART commitments made through government-led multi-stakeholder national planning processes to reach the desired water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and positive economic outcomes.

The primary output of the preparatory process was a country summary document – the Country Overview - which synthesizes the economic opportunities in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector for economic; options for investments and economic and social development and commitments of government and partners to support national priorities. All country overviews can be accessed on the SWA website under each respective country page. 

The Country Overview was also used as a briefing for the finance ministers who attended the Meetings. Sector ministers also used the Country Overview in inter-ministerial discussions with their counterparts responsible for finance, economic development and planning. The Country Overview was an output of the national multi-stakeholder dialogue and contributed to broader sector reviews such as joint sector reviews. Throughout the preparatory process, the Secretariat organized a series of webinars to facilitate mobilization and sharing of experiences among partners.

COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT

Spread the word!

 

SWA has put together communication materials and messaging to help partners, actors in the sector, and outside the sector to use to amplify the messages around the urgency for increased financing for the sector, and around the SWA 2020 virtual Regional Finance Ministers’ Meetings.

 

Follow the 2020 FMMs on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

 

 

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BLOG: How SWA Partners are preparing for 2020 Finance Ministers' Meetings

Our team is capturing updates from partners across all five SWA constituencies and all three regions and updating a dedicated blog on SWA's website.

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Photos for editorial use

SWA Secretariat has compiled high-quality photos for editorial use by journalists. Photo credit must be given to UNICEF.

 

Download Communication Toolkit

Join us in communicating around the water, sanitation and hygiene financing. 

Webinars

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Asia and the Pacific FMM: A Learning and Exchange Workshop on Finance Advocacy

Asia and the Pacific FMM: A Learning and Exchange Workshop on Finance Advocacy

As part of the preparatory process for Asia and the Pacific Finance Ministers' Meeting, SWA organized a learning and exchange...
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SWA 2020 Africa Finance Ministers' Meeting

SWA 2020 Africa Finance Ministers' Meeting

The first SWA Africa Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) held virtually on 4 November, built on previous global Finance...
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SWA Civil Society Partners: A learning and Exchange Workshop on Finance Advocacy

SWA Civil Society Partners: A learning and Exchange Workshop on Finance Advocacy

Ahead of the Africa Finance Ministers' Meeting, SWA has organized a learning and exchange workshop for SWA civil society...
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Asia and the Pacific Final FMM preparatory webinar: Smart partnerships with Finance Ministers

Asia and the Pacific Final FMM preparatory webinar: Smart partnerships with Finance Ministers

On 19 November, SWA Secretariat organized the final Asia and the Pacific FMM webinar entitled “Smart Partnerships with...
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Latin America and the Caribbean Final FMM preparatory webinar: Smart partnerships with finance ministers

Latin America and the Caribbean Final FMM preparatory webinar: Smart partnerships with finance ministers

Latin America and the Caribbean Friday, 6 November 10:00 NY | 9:00 Mexico City As the Finance Ministers’ Meetings (FMM)...
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Documents

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Key documents Type
SWA Report on the 2020 Finance Ministers’ Meetings
2020 Finance Ministers' Meetings: Ideas and suggestions for follow-up at country level
2020 Country Overview: Mexico
2020 Country Overview: Sudan
2020 Country Overview: Bangladesh
2020 Country Overview: Vietnam
2020 Country Overview: Nepal
2020 Country Overview: Lao PDR
2020 Country Overview: Indonesia
Country Overview: Bhutan

News

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