Featured: African leaders unite to tackle water, sanitation, and climate crisis

Ministers and government leaders from across Africa will gather in Madrid, Spain, on October 22–23, 2025, for the Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), a global summit focused on integrating water, sanitation, and climate action. Co-hosted by the Government of Spain, UNICEF, and Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), the meeting will bring together officials responsible for water, sanitation, environment, climate, and finance from over 60 countries. ALSO READ: Africa sharpens its voice on climate The event aims to discuss the continent’s growing water and climate challenges by promoting political cooperation, sharing progress, and strengthening accountability systems. With the theme “Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water, Sanitation and Climate Action,” the summit will address the growing impact of droughts, floods, and water shortages across Africa, and will provide a platform for countries to share progress, build partnerships, and agree on measurable commitments to strengthen resilience and access to basic services. ALSO READ: African leaders should act on climate change now Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), Muyatwa Sitali, emphasised that strong political leadership combined with effective partnerships leads to real progress. “The Sector Ministers’ Meeting is where global promises are matched with on-the-ground action, and Africa’s role will be essential in driving lasting solutions,” he said. Nearly 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe drinking water, and over 700 million live without safely managed sanitation, according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. ALSO READ: African leaders adopt Addis Ababa Declaration on climate, peace, and justice At the same time, climate change is worsening these challenges, with prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa, frequent flooding in the Sahel, and growing water scarcity in Southern Africa, all of which threaten public health, food security, education, and economic development. The 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting is expected to deliver several key outcomes, including a High-Level Leaders’ Pact on Water Security and Resilience, a set of measurable commitments from governments to improve access and strengthen climate resilience. A new Mutual Accountability Mechanism will also be introduced to track progress and promote transparency among governments, donors, and civil society. In addition, outcomes from the meeting will contribute to major global processes like COP30 in Brazil and the UN 2026 Water Conference, ensuring African perspectives shape international climate and water policy.

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Featured: African leaders unite to tackle water, sanitation, and climate crisis