The Senegalese capital, on January 26 and 27, hosted the UN preparatory meeting ahead of the Global Water Summit scheduled for December 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
At the gathering in Diamnadio, delegates from UN member states, representatives of local and international NGOs, researchers, scientists, climate experts and CSOs, who altogether agreed that there must be a shift from commitment to actions to address the Water Crisis.
While 176.6 million people needed urgent water and sanitation assistance in 2024, only 48 million were reached.
Deprived of water, civilians are trapped in a daily fight for survival, a cycle that can only be broken through strong humanitarian action and firm political commitment.
Meanwhile, in conflict zones, water has become a weapon of war, sharply worsening humanitarian crises.