Week 3
Water and Sanitation for Peace, Energy, and Food Security
In Focus
- Register for the third Webinar
- Register for the third Youth Stage
- Register to attend the High-level Policy Dialogue
ADS 2026 Programme
Day 1 – 18 May
The Africa Dialogue Series 2026 enters its third week, with discussions focused on the sub-theme: “Water and Sanitation for Peace, Energy, and Food Security.” The United Nations Children’s Fund (), the Institute for Security Studies () and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization () wrap up this month’s weekly activities with a curation of documentaries that highlight the impact of water on efforts to promote peace, enhance access to energy, and improve food security.
UNICEF presents
Water is?everything: Children and Community Voices
In this video, children and community members in Dialangou, Mali, express what water means to them following the installation of a new water pump, which improved access to water in the village.
Eritrea: water. Climate change and food security??
Eritrea grapples with the stark reality of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and altered rainfall patterns. Coastal areas are under threat from rising sea levels, exacerbating the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater sources. Communities are struggling to cope with diminishing groundwater levels and declining water quality. Insights from the 2014 IPCC report shed light on the escalating challenges in eastern Africa, with droughts and heavy rainfall intensifying over the past 30-60 years. These changes have far-reaching consequences on agriculture and food security.
The documentary shows the regional disparities, emphasising the impact on Eritrea's central highlands. It calls for urgent action and highlights initiatives needed to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change on water resources.
From sustainable water management practices to resilient agriculture, find out how Eritrea can build a climate-resilient future.
Ethiopia: Restoring social cohesion through access to water
In 2014, when thousands of refugees fled to Ethiopia’s Gambella region, access to water became a threat to stability. This video shows how an inclusive WASH water project contributed to restoring social cohesion between host and refugee communities.
Mali: A solar-powered water system is bringing health and hope to communities in Mopti
A solar-powered water system is bringing health and hope to communities in Mopti, in Mali.
Moussa Traore, Community Water Manager at explains how an influx in internally displaced people strained limited water resources, resulting in minor disputes and how they resolved the disagreements, ensuring equal access to water for all.
“In my view, without water there is no life; if there is no water, there is no life; once we saw it, it was over—we had to step in. Today we can say that things are really going well; there aren’t many disputes because everyone has access to water now. Everyone comes, gets their water, and leaves,” he says.
Access to water has resulted in peace and economic benefits as the community embarks on various livelihoods projects such as raising livestock and growing vegetables.
Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Africa presents
Can Africa lead the world on climate action?
With the US withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the global climate landscape has shifted. 2026 is Africa’s year to move beyond ambition and lead the world in securing a sustainable future.
For Africa, climate adaptation and resilience are key to economic stability and human security. Implementation needs climate finance, but the scale, predictability and accessibility of such finance are unreachable for most African countries. The funding for loss and damage is undercapitalised and private capital mobilisation is risk-averse and lacking.
Read more:
UNESCO presents
UNESCO DAKAR: THE REAL STORY – EPISODE 6
Are you familiar with the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme? For 50 years now, this initiative, established by UNESCO, has been driving progress in water science and the sustainable management of water resources. In addition to water science, UNESCO is committed to addressing issues related to climate and biodiversity, with a view to tackling environmental shocks, strengthening community resilience and promoting innovation. In 2025, the UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar continued this commitment through transformative actions that led, among other things, to: the designation of the first Biosphere Reserve in The Gambia, the Niumi Reserve; and the strengthening of partnerships in research and innovation with increased engagement of young people and women.
?? Find out how, in 2025, UNESCO-led initiatives helped to protect ecosystems, lives and economies in our region:
UNESCO DAKAR EN VRAI EPISODE 6
Connaissez-vous le Programme Hydrologique Intergouvernemental ? Déjà 50 ans que cette initiative, mise en place par l'UNESCO, permet de faire progresser la science de l'eau et la gestion durable des ressources en eau. En plus de la science de l'eau, l'UNESCO est engagée sur les questions liées au climat, à la biodiversité, afin de faire face aux chocs environnementaux, renforcer la résilience des populations et promouvoir l'innovation. En 2025, le Bureau régional de l’UNESCO à Dakar a poursuivi cet engagement à travers des actions structurantes qui ont permis entre autres : la reconnaissance de la première Réserve de biosphère en Gambie, la Réserve de Niumi, le renforcement des partenariats en matière de recherche et d'innovation avec un engagement accru des jeunes et des femmes.
?? Découvrez comment en 2025, les initiatives conduites par l'UNESCO ont contribué à protéger les écosystèmes, les vies et les économies dans notre région :