At a high-level event during the United Nations General Assembly, Saudi Arabia and Senegal urged the global community to enhance international cooperation to tackle pressing water challenges. These challenges include water scarcity, increasing demand, and limited access to safe water, which are becoming critical issues worldwide.
Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, emphasized the importance of treating water security as a key element for international security, economic growth, and community resilience. Al-Rassi highlighted that addressing the global water crisis requires more than just boosting water availability; it necessitates improved governance, advanced technology, better accessibility, and stronger international collaboration. He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s initiatives in managing water scarcity through desalination, technological investments, and its National Water Strategy 2030 as examples of effective measures.
Senegal echoed the call for prioritizing water in international policymaking, especially as water issues increasingly intersect with climate change, economic development, and social stability. The discussions also underscored the significance of cooperation over shared water resources, with Senegal citing transboundary water management as a successful model of international collaboration in addressing common water-related challenges.
Retno Marsudi, the UN’s special envoy on water, expressed concern over the slow progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on water and sanitation. She highlighted that millions worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, stressing the urgent need for more robust collective actions.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is set to host the 11th World Water Forum in March 2027, while Senegal and the United Arab Emirates will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. These events will provide platforms for further discussions and actions aimed at addressing global water challenges.