Water and sanitation for peace, energy and food security

Equitable access to water and sanitation is inseparable from Africa’s prospects for stability, energy and food production.

Date: 2026-05-20

Time: 15:00 to 17:00

Venue: Online via Zoom

Without urgent action on water security, Africa’s prospects for peace, food and energy stability remain at risk. While the continent has made steady progress towards SDG and AU Agenda 2063 targets, overall gains continue to fall short – and the consequences reach far beyond the water sector, touching conflict, food systems, energy and long-term development.

This webinar is part of the 2026 Africa Dialogue Series, which brings together policymakers, civil society and youth to advance practical pathways for water and sanitation in Africa.

This event is co-hosted by the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the African Development Bank (AfDB), UNESCO and UNICEF.

Moderator: Diane Arjoon, Principal Rural Water Security Officer, African Water Facility, AfDB

Opening remarks:

Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, OSAA
Abou Amani, Assistant Director-General for Sciences a.i. and Secretary, Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, UNESCO
Evariste Kouassi Komlan, Global WASH Director, UNICEF
Dhesigen Naidoo, Senior Research Associate, ISS

Panel discussion:

Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Mohamedou Baba Sy, Director, Water Department, Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel
Betty Chinyamunyamu, Chief Executive Officer, National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi
Eric Oyare, Africa Freshwater Lead, World Wildlife Fund
Bassem Saadallaoui, Chief WASH Mali, UNICEF
Victor Ochen, Founder and Executive Director, African Youth Initiative Network

Closing remarks: HE Ambassador Mohamed Edrees, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations