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The President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), Dr Cheikh Tidiane Diéye, has called for stronger political commitment, continental solidarity and international cooperation to advance Africa’s water priorities, urging the continent to speak with one voice at major global water platforms.
Speaking at Cairo Water Week 2026, Dr Diéye stressed that Africa must translate its shared water ambitions into concrete action through sustained political leadership, increased investment and stronger institutional support.
He underscored the importance of Africa’s Water Vision 2063 as a strategic framework for addressing the continent’s water and sanitation challenges and advancing the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The AMCOW President emphasised that water must be recognised not only as a development priority but also as an instrument for peace, stability and shared prosperity. Drawing on Senegal’s experience with transboundary river cooperation, he highlighted how joint infrastructure, investment and equitable benefit-sharing can build trust among neighbouring countries.
Key messages from Senegal at Cairo Water Week 2026 highlighted three priorities:
• Water as a foundation for prosperity and lasting peace: Africa must mobilise the political commitment and investment needed to turn Water Vision 2063 into action. The Third United Nations Conference on Water, co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, must deliver concrete decisions, stronger international cooperation and tangible results for people and the planet.
• Water as a force for unity and solidarity: For Senegal, water connects peoples and must remain a force for unity and solidarity.
• Water cooperation as preventive diplomacy: Preventive diplomacy must be strengthened, with water cooperation given its rightful place in international efforts to prevent conflict.
Looking ahead to the Third United Nations Conference on Water, scheduled for 8–10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, Dr Diéye highlighted the importance of a coordinated African position in shaping global water commitments and priorities.
He noted that Africa is mobilising to speak with one voice, advance its strategic interests and contribute meaningfully to a more ambitious, equitable and action-oriented global water agenda.
This collective approach is equally important as preparations advance towards the 11th World Water Forum, providing another opportunity to strengthen Africa’s visibility, articulate its priorities and promote water security as a foundation for the continent’s sustainable development.
For AMCOW, Africa’s unified engagement in these international processes is critical to ensuring that the continent’s priorities are reflected in global decisions, partnerships and financing commitments.
As Africa advances its Water Vision 2063, the priority remains clear: translate political commitments into tangible results, strengthen cooperation among Member States and secure the investments needed to expand access to water and sanitation services across the continent.
One Africa. One Water Vision. One Collective Voice for Water Security.
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