The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in partnership with the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Water Resources, is organizing these two events in Abuja, Nigeria, from 27 February to 2 March 2006 in order to strengthen Africa's regional capabilities as well as the cohesive implementation of IHP programmes.



These events will provide a platform for the African countries to prepare activities within the 7th Phase of IHP (IHP-VII; 2008-2013), to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region and to undertake specific actions in the framework of the UN International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' (2005-2015) and the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).



The Conference will also serve as a forum to attract attention on a worldwide scale to water-related issues in Africa. Recommendations from these two events as well as a report will be presented at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico in March 2006.