Delegates from all over the world gathered in Dakar to kick start a six days world water forum under the theme “Water security for peace and development”.

During the opening of the forum president Macky Sall welcomed the delegates with stating that Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Senegal has remained steadfast in its willingness and commitment to host the world community in Dakar, in order to place water at the heart of multilateralism and international policies, to build effective response mechanisms to multifaceted crises and the construction of a resilient, prosperous and stable post-Covid-19 world.

Some of the numerous challenges mentioned at this year’s world water forum in Dakar were poor water quality and a lack of financing.

“There is every reason to believe that if nothing is done, the situation will get worse and worse, due in particular to strong demographic pressure, rapid urbanization and polluting industrial activities. This 9th World Water Forum gives us the opportunity to sound the alarm on the gravity of the situation, so that water issues remain at the heart of the international agenda.” President sall said.

Coastal countries leaders like Bissau Guinean President Embalo also stressed the particular fate of African countries highly dependent on the resource.

“Technology and the contribution of digital technology will not be enough, We must certainly innovate, innovate again, innovate always, pump, transfer, desalinate, recycle, and increase the amount of water available. But we also need to change our habits and behaviors, and only then will we be able to share water for people and water for nature.” Loic Fauchon stated.

The Senegalese president received during the opening ceremony a report o n the potential of ground water from Audrez Azouley, the Unesco Director-General. Groundwater accounts for 99% of liquid freshwater on Earth and is an unsuspected resource.

During the six-day forum, world leaders will look for solutions to ensure water access to all.