In late January 2026, international water leaders, civil society groups, policymakers, and experts gathered in Dakar, Senegal for a one-day strategic meeting designed to strengthen global cooperation on water and sanitation ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
This meeting, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was themed “Enhancing Action Through Collaboration.” Its central aim was to build consensus on priority actions that can meaningfully accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — clean water and sanitation for all.
Why This Meeting Matters
With over 250 participants from more than 150 organizations, the gathering highlighted a clear global message: inclusive, multi-stakeholder cooperation is essential to solve water challenges that affect billions of people.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water Retno Marsudi emphasized that giving all voices a seat at the table — especially those from marginalized communities, youth groups, and Indigenous Peoples — is critical to shaping outcomes that are equitable, actionable, and sustainable.
Key Themes Discussed
Participants broke out into discussion groups focused on six core dimensions of water and sustainable development. These themes are expected to inform discussions at the 2026 UN Water Conference and help guide practical action between now and then:
1. Water for People
Emphasizing the human right to water and sanitation, especially for vulnerable groups, including people in low-income settings and rural areas.
2. Water for Prosperity
Addressing the water-energy-food nexus, improving water use efficiency, and integrating sustainable water management into economic planning.
3. Water for the Planet
Protecting ecosystems, building climate resilience, and mitigating disaster risk by safeguarding freshwater systems.
4. Water for Cooperation
Promoting transboundary water governance, scientific exchange, and inclusive institutional frameworks.
5. Water in Multilateral Processes
Strengthening links between SDG 6 and the broader Sustainable Development Agenda and global water initiatives.
6. Investments for Water
Mobilizing finance, technology innovation, and capacity building to support water infrastructure and scalable solutions.
What Stakeholders Want: More Than Talk
A major outcome of the meeting was a call for moving beyond declarations toward concrete, results-driven action. While participants celebrated the importance of pledges and frameworks, they also acknowledged persistent challenges:
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Gaps in participation — not all communities are meaningfully represented.
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Tension between economic priorities and rights-based approaches, especially in regions where water scarcity intersects with development imperatives.
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The risk that water discussions can become insular or disconnected from on-the-ground needs without clear mechanisms for implementation.
To bridge these gaps, the report released after the meeting urged continuous engagement between now and the 2026 UN Water Conference, expanded coalitions, and greater focus on people-centered outcomes.
The Road Ahead
As the global community prepares for a pivotal water summit in 2026, the Dakar stakeholder meeting serves two strategic purposes:
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Aligning diverse voices from governments, civil society, and the private sector.
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Building momentum for implementation, not just discussion.
By focusing on collaboration, meaningful inclusion, and practical solutions, stakeholders hope to inject energy and direction into global efforts to achieve universal access to clean water and sanitation — an essential foundation for health, equity, and sustainable development.
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