Saudi Arabia and Senegal have jointly called for enhanced international cooperation to tackle global water challenges, highlighting issues such as water scarcity, rising demand, and inadequate access to safe water. This appeal was made during a high-level event at the UN General Assembly, where Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi emphasized the importance of water security for international stability, economic growth, and community resilience.
Al-Rassi underscored that addressing the global water crisis requires more than just increasing water availability. He pointed to the necessity of improving governance, technology, accessibility, and fostering international cooperation. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategies in managing water scarcity, which include significant investments in desalination technologies and the implementation of its National Water Strategy 2030.
Senegal echoed the call for prioritizing water in international policymaking, noting the growing intersection between water challenges, climate change, economic development, and social stability. The discussions underscored the critical need for cooperation over shared water resources, with Senegal citing transboundary water management as a successful model for international collaboration on common issues.
Retno Marsudi, the UN’s special envoy on water, remarked on the slow progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on water and sanitation. She highlighted that millions globally still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, stressing the urgency of stronger collective efforts to address these deficiencies.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is set to host the 11th World Water Forum in March 2027. Senegal, in collaboration with the UAE, will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, further demonstrating the ongoing commitment to addressing global water challenges through international forums.
