Concerning the creation of an African Young Water and Sanitation Professionals Forum, the progressive setting up of the various national chapters is an encouraging illustration. The interest of our Young Professionals for this regrouping expects that the passage of the intergenerational baton will be made under good conditions.

The Water Operators’ Partnership for Africa (WOP-Africa) programme, which has already launched the first ten partnerships with the financial support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), is ensured to continue its mission of improvement of water utilities’ performances thanks to the USAID three million USD funding. In addition, our Scientific and Technical Council (STC) has started the setting up of a benchmarking database with the creation of a Task Forceduring its recent meetings held from last November 17th to 20th in Abidjan.

February of the New Year 2014 will mark the organization of our 17th Congress - from 17^th to 20^th - in the economic capital city of Cote d’Ivoire, Abidjan on the following Theme: “Mobilizing Resources and Governance of Water and Sanitation in Africa”. This biennial meeting that is organized to assess status, recent advances, and experiences in water, sanitation and environment sector in Africa is an expected platform of exchanges with a growing interest. As we say it "all things come in threes", after the exceptional success of the 15th and 16th Congress held respectively in Kampala in 2010 and in Marrakesh in 2012, the 17th Congress in Abidjan shall be without any doubt an organizational, festive and scientific success through the mobilization and participation of those who believed in the accuracy and relevance of the mission of our Association. We wait for your enriching and fruitful exchanges. Akwaba in Abidjan, the Perle des lagunes.

Happy New Year 2014.