L'AQUILA, Italy, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Eight industrialized nations and poverty-ridden African countries agreed Friday to establish a stronger G8-Africa Partnership on Water and Sanitation, according to a statement issued after their meeting.

Leaders or representatives from the G8 industrialized countries, other invited countries and world organizations attend the Working Session on Food Security in L'Aquila, Italy, July 10, 2009, the last day of the 2009 G8 summit and its related meetings. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi) Photo Gallery>>>

    The growing scarcity of water resources and a dramatic lack of sustainable access to water and sanitation in many African countries seriously impedes development, wealth creation and the eradication of poverty, the document said.

    "We are determined to build a stronger partnership between African and G8 countries to increase access to water and sanitation, based on the principles of shared responsibility and mutual accountability," the statement said.

    The statement came after a meeting between G8 leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Russia and the United States, and their counterparts of Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, plus the African Union Commission.

U.S. President Barack Obama walks to the venue of the Working Session on Food Security, part of the Group of Eight (G8) meetings, in L'Aquila, Italy, July 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Through the joint political weight of the G8 and the AU, we will ensure adequate momentum and commitment on water and sanitation improvements at national and international levels, for concrete results on the ground," the document said.

    The document said that under the partnership, African countries, led by the AU, would continue working to make water-related Millenium Development Goals a top development priority.

    To support the implementation of the African commitments, the G8 countries would assist the building of capacity in African countries to develop and implement national water and sanitation plans, the document said.

    The countries pledged to continue working to consolidate and develop their cooperation with a view to present a strengthened Africa-G8 Partnership on Water and Sanitation by the end of 2009.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown attend the Working Session on Food Security, part of the Group of Eight (G8) meetings, in L'Aquila, Italy, July 10, 2009.(Xinhua/Zeng Yi) Photo Gallery>>>

    "The Africa Water Week due to take place in November in South Africa might provide an opportunity for tangible progress toward our common goal of meeting our water and sanitation challenges," the statement said.

Special Report: President Hu attends G8 - emerging economies dialogue