The Science and Technology Sector at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Organizing Committee of the 9^th World Water Forum held a meeting to discuss and evaluate the action plan and preparations for organizing the forum, due to be held in the Senegalese capital Dakar, in March 2022. The meeting explored the activities of the forum and the mechanisms of communication, promotion and mobilization in the countries of the Islamic World within the framework of the partnership between ICESCO, the Committee, and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation in Senegal.

During the videoconference meeting, held on Thursday, September 16, 2021, Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of ICESCO Science and Technology Sector, reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness on the success of the Forum, and its efforts to mobilize the countries of the Islamic World to participate in the Forum activities, especially the young people.  He also highlighted the necessity to build their capacities in using modern science and technology in water resources management, to achieve food security, and accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals related to water in the Islamic World and African countries.

He reviewed ICESCO’s role in promoting initiatives aimed at improving ecosystems and smart agriculture, in addition to the Organization’s program to improve water and sanitation services in 1,000 rural schools in several countries in the Islamic World, including Senegal.

Mr. Abdallah Seni, the Executive Secretary of the 9^th World Water Forum, commended the cooperation with ICESCO to organize the Forum and confirmed the preparations progress in terms of mobilizing partners and reaffirming the participation of more than 1,000 institutions from all over the world. He also expressed his aspiration to encourage the outstanding presence of the Islamic countries in the 9^th World Water Forum and to enhance the participation of young people, in particular, to benefit from its activities.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Foued El-Ayni and Dr. Ismaila Diallo, two experts in ICESCO’s Science and Technology Sector, and Dr. Mohamed Diatta, responsible for the Scientific Sector of the 9^th World Water Forum and other members of the Organizing Committee.