Mr. Kabiné Komara, Former Prime Minister of Guinea, chaired yesterday, July 27, the virtual meeting on water security towards peace and development in the Islamic world. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the meeting in cooperation with the Moroccan National Office of Electricity and Water (ONEE) and the Secretariat of the 9th World Water Forum (Dakar 2021).

The meeting witnessed high-caliber participation, including Mr. Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, and several prominent international water experts, as well as the international institutions and organizations.

The participants in the meeting, held in preparation for next year’s 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal, stressed the need for joint action to ensure water security, which is the basis of sustainable development in Muslim countries and around the globe. They also called for developing a roadmap beyond the 9th World Water Forum to achieve this vital objective.

During the opening session, Mr. Serigne Mbaye Thiam expressed his country’s honor for hosting the 9th World Water Forum (Dakar 2021) for the first time in a sub-Saharan country. He added that it constitutes a big challenge that his country will strive to fulfill through cooperation to achieve the Forum’s objectives.

In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO’s Director-General, reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting the 9th World Water Forum. “It is a privilege for ICESCO to sign a framework partnership with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal. We are confident that the Forum will be an opportunity to discuss the innovative ideas and practical solutions for water resources issues, and integrate peace, security and sustainable development,” he added.

During the working sessions, the participants explored the scope of water issues and their impact on various fields and sustainable development. In this regard, Dr. Ahmet Mete Saatçi, President of the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN), made a presentation on the water situation in the Islamic world and cooperation opportunities, while underscoring the irrational use of water resources and the possibility of eradicating many diseases through water processing.

On her part, Dr. Lalla Asma El Kasmi, Director of Cooperation and Communication at ONEE, Vice-President of the World Water Council, explored international cooperation and water diplomacy to achieve water-related sustainable development goals worldwide.

Mr. Francis Bougaire, Head of Water Coordination and Partnership Department at the African Development Bank, then tackled water security and development in African countries. Mr. Abdoulaye Sene, Executive Secretary of the 9th World Water Forum, made a presentation on the Forum and the various preparation phases and ways of participation.

Mr. Kabiné Komara stated that yesterday’s meeting gives impetus to joint action in water security and the need for more progress. In his closing address, Dr. AlMalik thanked the participants for the fruitful discussions while hoping that this meeting would be a start to exploring water security issues and provide practical solutions for countries.