Review of OSS participation in World Water Week 2024: promoting collaboration and advancing the management of shared water resources in Africa

Mr. Mohamedou SY and Mr. Haithem REJEB, representing the OSS at the World Water Week 2024 actively took part in various sessions and meetings with the aim of promoting collaboration and boosting the management of shared water resources in Africa. 

Present at the key session entitled "Cooperation on Transboundary Aquifers to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Africa", organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Mr. Mohamedou Sy, Water Department Director, shared the Organization's experience and highlighted the main achievements and lessons learned from the NWSAS, SMAS and ITTAS projects, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), namely:

• The importance of institutionalized cooperation and strong legal frameworks
• The crucial role of data collection and information sharing for informed decision-making.
• The need for a constant technical and financial commitment to ensure the success of the projects.
• The necessity of adopting an integrated approach for effective water resources management.
• The relevance of capacity building to empower local and regional actors, and 
• The benefit of adapting strategies to meet the climate change evolving challenges.

Not only do these insights highlight the successes of current projects, but they lay the foundation for future initiatives, including IWMI’s new initiative, “Groundwater for Advancing Resilience in Africa (G4DR in Africa)”, which aims to use these lessons to build stronger climate resilience across the continent.

Besides this session, the OSS representatives participated in several bilateral meetings with various partner institutions, looking for new opportunities for collaboration and strengthening existing partnerships. Meetings made it possible to stress the need for joint efforts in data acquisition, strengthening monitoring systems, and sharing best practices to address the urgent needs of vulnerable communities across Africa. These interactions reinforce the OSS commitment to working closely with its partners, such as UNESCO, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), as well as regional Organizations such as the Senegal River Development Organization (OMVS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Partnerships with global entities such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) are also a true driver of the OSS strategic efforts.