Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) participated in the Dakar Water Diplomacy Symposium held in Dakar, Senegal, January24,2026, with Eswatini represented by INMACOM Executive Secretary Sindy Mthimkhulu as global water leaders gathered to advance inclusive dialogue on water cooperation, peace, and security ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
The high-level symposium brought together approximately 100 water diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from across the world. It formed part of a coordinated lead-up to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) stakeholder consultation scheduled for January 25, as well as the High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference taking place from January 26 to 27.
Discussions during the symposium focused on strengthening the role of women in water diplomacy while supporting the UN Water Conference’s central theme, “Water for Cooperation.” Participants shared knowledge and experiences on the management of shared water resources, conflict prevention, and the promotion of sustainable and peaceful water governance in the context of climate change and increasing water demand.
A key objective of the meeting was to elevate the voices of women, Indigenous leaders, and young water professionals, with particular emphasis on African water diplomacy. Organisers stressed that inclusive leadership and locally grounded expertise were essential for shaping effective regional and global water policies.
The symposium also piloted artificial intelligence-powered real-time speech translation and live captioning in 10 languages. This innovation enhanced accessibility and participation, enabling delegates from diverse linguistic backgrounds to engage meaningfully in discussions and setting a new benchmark for inclusivity in international policy forums.
The event was convened by the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Skat Foundation, Bridging Waters Advisory, and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), with support from Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
INMACOM’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to cooperative, inclusive, and gender-responsive approaches to transboundary water governance.
Through its engagement in the Dakar symposium, the commission contributed to shaping perspectives and outcomes that will inform preparations for the UN Water Conference 2026 and strengthen water cooperation across shared river basins.
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