New York – Africa faces persistent water insecurity amid rising climate risks. While the continent has made steady progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and African Union Agenda 2063 targets on water and sanitation, overall gains continue to fall short. Access to safe water and sanitation remains critical to Africa’s survival and development – underpinning health, energy, food systems, cities, industry and, ultimately, peace.
It is against this backdrop that the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS) 2026 brings together policymakers, civil society and youth to advance political commitment and practical pathways for the Strategic Asset Management approach to water and sanitation in Africa. The series runs from 4 to 29 May, with the theme ‘Water and Sanitation for Life: Harnessing Water Resources for the Africa We Want.’
The first three weeks of the ADS are virtual, with webinars and online activities targeting policymakers and youth. The series concludes with an in-person High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) at United Nations (UN) Headquarters on 29 May, culminating in a Call to Action to implement the recommendations of the dialogue.
The ADS is hosted annually, during Africa Month, by the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN. This year’s edition is delivered in partnership with UNICEF, UN Economic Commission for Africa, UN-Habitat, UNESCO, the African Union Development Agency, the African Development Bank and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
The ISS plays an active role in the third thematic week of the ADS, contributing to the sub-theme ‘Water and Sanitation for Peace, Energy and Food Security’ on 20 May. Drawing on its research on conflict drivers, natural resource governance and long-term development scenarios for Africa, the ISS brings an evidence-based security and futures perspective to the water–energy–food nexus.
Virtual webinars run from 4 to 28 May. Three thematic sessions will be held, each accompanied by a Youth Stage:
The HLPD takes place on 29 May (10h00–13h00 EDT) in Conference Room 4 at UN Headquarters, New York, and online via UN Web TV. Valid media accreditation is required for in-person attendance.
Confirmed speakers at the HLPD include:
- António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN
- Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission
- Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly
- Senior officials from the AU, UN, governments and civil society
The full programme and speaker list are available on the ADS 2026 website.
Media representatives wishing to attend the HLPD in person must hold a valid UN media accreditation. Applications – including a letter of assignment from a bona fide media organisation, samples of work and a government-issued ID – must be submitted before 27 May 2026 via the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU). There will be no on-site accreditation.
Missions and organisations enrolled in the e-Registration system may submit accreditation requests for delegation media, including journalists, photographers and videographers, through the e-deleGATE portal.
More information on the ADS 2026 is available at the OSAA website.
