Indo-Africa Roundtable on WASH Held as part of Second India International WASH Conference During 9th IIWW 2026
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, convened a high-level Indo-Africa Roundtable on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Held as part of the Second India International WASH Conference during the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026, the event brought together representatives from 22 African countries, Indian officials, and international organisations to share experiences and explore cooperation in water and sanitation.
Why It Matters
This is relevant for competitive exam aspirants tracking India's international relations, South-South cooperation, and major developmental initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin.
In Simple Words
The Ministry of Jal Shakti hosted an Indo-Africa Roundtable on WASH in New Delhi during the 9th India International Water Week 2026. Ambassadors from 22 African countries, Indian officials, and global bodies like the World Bank and WHO discussed shared water and sanitation challenges and cooperation opportunities.
Indian officials highlighted milestones under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, emphasizing community participation, women's empowerment, digital public infrastructure like Sujalam Bharat, and decentralized governance. African delegates and international partners discussed sustainable financing, climate resilience, and technology transfer.
Key Points
- The Indo-Africa Roundtable on WASH was convened at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- It was held as part of the Second India International WASH Conference during the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026.
- The event was organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Ambassadors and representatives from 22 African countries participated in the roundtable.
- Tap-water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission increased from 32.4 million rural households in 2019 to over 159.4 million households.
- More than 120 million household toilets have been constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin since 2014.
- Over 2.48 million women have been trained in using Field Testing Kits for water-quality surveillance.
- International organizations like the World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, SWA, and BISAG-N participated in the discussions.
Exam Angle
A. 22 African countries
Source: Press Information Bureau