AquaFed is the International Federation of Private Water Operators. We represent private companies that deliver water supply or sanitation services under the direction of public authorities.

Our members are companies of all sizes, operating in around 40 countries, as both locally and internationally owned businesses. These companies operate through PPP contracts or licenses to supply drinking water and provide sanitation services to the public and commercial and industrial users. They work in urban, peri-urban and rural settings around the world.

What is AquaFed?

By joining AquaFed, you will be part of an international federation of companies based all over the world.

You will be able to connect with and network with other members and with the other organisations across the international water sector. You will also be able to connect via AquaFed to UN organisations, other intra-national bodies like the Sanitation and Water for All Partnership and national governments.

Join us

Private operators and public-private partnerships as an option for operating water and sanitation services for public authorities and consumers.

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How private water operators contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and the solutions for achieving these rights so no-one is left behind.

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with partners to improve the water sector and solve issues by sharing our members’ expertise and work.

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AquaFed has set out critical factors to African finance ministers on how to mobilise more finance for utilities ahead of a crucial meeting on water and sanitation being organised by the Sanitation and Water for All Partnership (SWA).

[The Finance Ministers Meeting ](https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/2023-finance-ministers-meeting-0#about )will focus on how ministers of finance together with other government and development partners can transform access to water and sanitation in their country and unleash economic and social benefits.

In a[ letter](https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/news/how-swa-partners-are-preparing-2023-africa-finance-ministers-meeting#comment-3416) from AquaFed President, Fred Van Heems, he has urged finance ministers to focus on the building blocks of a strong national WASH system. In particular, he highlights the need for strong control from public authorities – but calls on ministers to help ensure officials are given the skills and capabilities to do the job. 

On utilities specifically, Mr Van Heems also urged renewed focus on the ‘fundamentals’ – using existing knowledge and tried and tested programmes to support utilities to be more credit-worthy and make progress towards being able to recover costs.

At the SWA meeting, participants will be presented with inspiring and aspirational examples of countries that have benefited from prioritizing water and sanitation to achieve their development and climate goals. 

The examples will show how investing in water and sanitation supports economic development, sustainable climate action, and effective public health preparedness, building from the discussions held in 2022 at the [SWA Sector Ministers' Meeting.](https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/2022-sector-ministers-meeting) 

Mr Van Heems will also address the ministers at the meeting next week, during a discussion on how private operators can help mobilise domestic finance.


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Message to African finance ministers ahead of crucial summit

AquaFed members have elected a new President and Vice-President to lead the Federation at its annual meeting today (29 September).

●	Frederic Van Heems (left of picture), President and CEO of Veolia North America, is elected President of AquaFed. 

●	Cyril Courjaret, Senior Vice President Business Development and Key Accounts, Suez Group, is AquaFed Vice-President.


At the AquaFed Annual Meeting in Paris, they gave a joint message that private operators have solutions to help public authorities and the industrial and agricultural sectors adapt to climate change and mitigate the impacts on water and sanitation services.

They restated the Federation’s mission which is to ensure governments and public authorities are fully informed about what private operators can do and the role of PPPs, before they make a choice on how to deliver public services.
	
They also declared the Federation will collaborate even more closely in partnership with international stakeholders to protect the environment, people’s health and drive the achievement of the human right to water and sanitation for all.

Mr Van Heems replaces Mamadou Dia, Director of Water and Sanitation, Eranove, who was first elected AquaFed President in 2015.

Mr Van Heems said: “It is a huge honour to be elected as AquaFed President and I am grateful to the Federation’s members for giving me this opportunity.  

“This is an incredibly exciting role but also a massive challenge. The planet is in huge danger from climate change impacts and there is already a global water and sanitation crisis.

“But private operators have proven solutions. Through AquaFed, we will collectively work even harder to demonstrate these solutions, contribute to global efforts, promote strong governance and ensure public authorities can make informed choices.

“On behalf of all our members, I want to say a huge thank you to my predecessor, Mamadou Dia. He has steered AquaFed through many challenges and maintained the Federation’s effectiveness.”

Mr Courjaret said that whilst members believe firmly in agility, fair competition, and transparency it is also essential they speak with one clear voice on the biggest issue facing the sector.

He said: “We have a renewed spirit of partnership at AquaFed and the leadership team is focused on ensuring we give our members maximum value.

“We are the forum for operators and stakeholders to speak and work with each other, whether it is on policy or on technical detail. We aim to show all private operators the value of being part of the Federation and for much more closer and formalised partnerships with our stakeholders.”

Mr Dia, said: "I was thrilled to be AquaFed president for eight years and hand over an agile and efficient organisation with a strong reputation, to the new leadership team.  I think AquaFed is a major asset for its members, and more importantly, for the international community."

For more information, contact:

Neil Dhot

Executive Director

AquaFed

info@aquafed.org


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New leadership team brings renewed partnership spirit to AquaFed

Research commissioned by AquaFed reveals a stark warning about the treatment of young potential and current employees, particularly in the global south.

We have found a generation of young, bright, talented people with immense hunger to drive change, but they are being systemically let down. A lack of equal opportunities to enter the sector and little or no capacity among managers to nurture young people, seriously undermines the future sustainability of water and sanitation services.

At all levels, the sector is genuinely making efforts to support young people, but the research shows the talking and platitudes have to stop, and that it is time for action.

The research shows:


•	Water supply and sanitation services are at risk because providers are failing to attract and leverage the potential of young people.

•	Water supply and sanitation providers need to remove barriers to young professionals’ employment.

•	The WSS sector is not providing enough training and development opportunities for young people.

•	WSS service providers are not attracting the best young talent, and must do much more to appeal to young professionals


But there are also great examples of good practise and we have highlighted these in our summary. 

In the next phase of our work, we aim to produce practical guidance for utility and service managers to help overcome the issues in the report.

The research was carried out for us independently by the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN).

The summary of the research is in this [Briefing Note](https://admin.aquafed.org//uploads/Career_guidance_research_final_pdf_ae75694df4.pdf). This is based on the results of two separate surveys – one for [young people](https://admin.aquafed.org//uploads/youth_cd2e997378.pdf) and the other for [employers.](https://admin.aquafed.org//uploads/WSS_Employers_results_FINAL_0a87bac943.pdf)


Latest news

Message to African finance ministers ahead of crucial summit

New leadership team brings renewed partnership spirit to AquaFed

Huge inequalities for young water and sanitation sector employees revealed

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