President of Republic Calls for Action on Water To Secure Africa’s Future
On July 14, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Republic, delivered an important speech in N’Djamena before participants at the African Water Forum, in which he reviewed the various issues related to access to water in Africa.
The speech reads as follows:
“Your Excellency Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, my dear brothers,
Your Excellencies, Representatives of the invited Heads of State,
Your Excellencies, Ministers,
Your Excellencies, Heads of the Institutions of the Republic of Chad,
Your Excellency, Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank,
Your Excellency, Mr. Ousmane Diagana, Vice President of the World Bank Group,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives of our financial and technical partner institutions,
Allow me, distinguished participants, to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my friend and brother, His Excellency Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, President of the brotherly Republic of Chad, for inviting me to participate in this session of the African Water Forum, as well as for the warm hospitality and the many thoughtful courtesies extended to my delegation and me.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Water is our planet’s most precious resource. When it becomes scarce, development prospects, food security, the stability of our societies, and the hopes of our peoples are all put to the test.
I would like to commend the organizers of this important gathering, held under the theme “From Vision to Action: Water Forward,” which calls upon us to transform our commitments into concrete action.
Water security is not merely a sectoral issue; it is the foundation of economic transformation, human capital development, climate resilience, and lasting stability across our continent. It is therefore our responsibility to mobilize the partnerships, financing, and innovations needed to ensure sustainable access to this essential resource.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Water is indispensable to life and sustainable development. Yet the effects of climate change, rapid population growth, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient financing are placing increasing pressure on water resources, particularly in the Sahel region.
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is no exception. After decades of drought and desertification, Mauritania continues its efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water and to mobilize the resources needed to develop its agricultural and livestock sectors, both of which are essential to achieving food sovereignty.
With this objective in mind, we have adopted a new National Water Sector Strategy aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This strategy focuses on improving knowledge of our water resources, enhancing the efficiency of their management, developing climate-resilient infrastructure, modernizing irrigation systems, and securing adequate financing.
Our strategy also places strong emphasis on regional cooperation, particularly through the joint management of the waters of the Senegal River, our support for the Great Green Wall Initiative, our commitment to the Think Forward initiative, and the alignment of our National Pact with the Water Forward agenda.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Faced with a challenge that transcends national borders, no country can succeed alone.
We must strengthen cooperation, accelerate investment, foster innovation, and bring together the efforts of governments, regional institutions, technical and financial partners, and the private sector.
Investing in water means investing in health, agriculture, employment, peace, and the stability of our societies.
Mauritania reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its national efforts and to contributing actively, through the Think Forward initiative, to building the resilience of our region.
The challenge is no longer to acknowledge the urgency; the challenge is to act together with determination and solidarity.
Because preserving water means preserving life.
Investing in water means investing in peace.
Acting for water means building the future of Africa.
Thank you.”