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Dakar has established itself as a major hub for global water diplomacy.

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On Monday, at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD), the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Mr Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, presided over the opening ceremony of the High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next December.

Organised jointly by the Government of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the United Nations and several international partners, this strategic meeting, held on 26 and 27 January 2026, marks a decisive step in the preparation of the next World Water Conference. It aims to strengthen political and technical commitments in the face of intensifying water and climate crises worldwide.

Among the actors involved, Wetlands International, faithful to its mission of conserving natural resources and wetlands, actively contributed to the proceedings through its participation in the plenary session entitled ‘Water for the Planet,’ chaired by Dr Musonda Mumba, Executive Secretary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

On this occasion, Ms Paola Martinelli, representative of Wetlands International, spoke on the theme of freshwater ecosystems. She highlighted the alarming conclusions of recent reports:

water and water insecurity are increasingly affecting regions facing prolonged droughts, placing them in a state described as ‘water bankruptcy’. “These situations are not temporary shocks, but irreversible losses, resulting in the inability of ecosystems to regenerate. Until healthy rivers and connected hydrological systems are made a priority, efforts will remain insufficient in terms of climate resilience, biodiversity and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms Paola Martinelli
Freshwater challenge initiative Manager

In his opening address, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye emphasised that water is a fundamental issue of human dignity, public health, social stability and shared prosperity. ‘The water crisis is a global reality that is morally unacceptable. As long as it persists, our collective responsibility remains,’ he said.

The Head of State also pointed out that 40% of Africans do not have access to drinking water and that more than 70% are deprived of basic sanitation services, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.

This momentum is part of a strong continental context, with the African Union proclaiming 2026 as the ‘Year of Water in Africa’, in line with the forthcoming adoption of the new African Water Vision, led by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), currently chaired by Senegal.

By hosting this high-level preparatory meeting, Senegal is reaffirming its commitment to global water governance, multilateralism and international solidarity, actively contributing to the development of sustainable solutions for present and future generations.