OiEAU ANNUAL REPORT - 2019

On the Way to the 9 th World Water Forum (WWF), in Dakar in 2021... Every 3 years, the World Water Forum gathers stakeholders from the sector, under the leadership of the World Water Council. This 9 th forum will be held in Senegal from 22 to 27 March 2021. Mr. Abdoulaye SENE, Co- President of the International Preparation Committee, presents some of the challenges of this great event. Water security for peace and development will be the central theme of the WWF, why this choice? This world needs peace. Otherwise, the future of Humanity is at risk. We therefore wanted to focus on water security, which is a key issue in many countries around the world. We wanted to emphasize the conflicting potential of sharing and protecting the resource, multi-level governance or, merely, access to water. In connection with the challenges of climate change, this issue must help us build peace, and above all ensure development. This is what motivated Senegal to propose this theme. The International Preparatory Committee for next WWF requires an innovative approach in its preparation. What is it? This Forum will remain a global forum, but with an African key. We are going to create an exchange platform on some themes, with a great diversity of stakeholders who will be able to dialogue in working groups focused on specific issues. Up to this date, the political, citizen and thematic processes have been parallel. We think that this was not necessarily the right way to build adapted responses, in a collaborative way. Why did you plan to hold a Summit of Heads of State and International Institutions, on the occasion of the WWF? Until now, the Forum had not the legitimacy that allowed reporting results internationally. This time, we want the WWF to have a Summit of Heads of State. This will lead to a very strong political declaration that will commit States and international organizations to concrete measures. Senegal will be able to bring these results to the United Nations, and make sure that these collectively constructed results can enrich the Global Agenda. What is the Dakar 2021 Initiative, another WWF innovation? We hope that development projects can be issued before the Forum to produce positive effects as close as possible to the populations. In Africa, water needs are urgent and above all multiple. We want the dynamics of preparation for the WWF to lead to concrete field results. Interview made during INBO GA (See p. 32) in Marrakech (Morocco) – October 2019 OiEau and the WWF "Senegal has requested France’s partnership and its President has identified OiEau as one of the French institutions that can organize and ensure France’s participation in the WWF. In addition, the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) has signed a strategic partnership with Senegal. Together, we have adopted the principle that OiEau supports it scientifically and technically, to fully assume the responsibilities and missions expected from it. Thanks to its expertise and commitment, OiEau is therefore a major stakeholder for us." © Riad TABIBEN - INBO 43