Why is Africa playing a key role in the 2026 UN Water Conference?

The holding of the High-Level Preparatory Meeting in Dakar symbolizes Africa’s growing importance in global water discussions. The continent, although home to significant water resources, faces major challenges: climate vulnerability, rapid population growth, fast-paced urbanization, and still-insufficient infrastructure.

Africa at the center of global priorities

• Forty percent of the world’s population without access to safe drinking water lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Repeated droughts threaten food security and livelihoods.

• African states promote an ambitious vision of resource pooling, cross-border cooperation, and local innovation.

Senegal’s contribution

As host country, Senegal brings:

• its experience in water governance,

• its diplomatic role in West Africa,

• a vision centered on equity, resilience, and sustainability.

The 2026 Conference represents a unique opportunity to elevate African priorities to the highest level, mobilize financing, and accelerate the implementation of inclusive water policies in Africa and around the world.