The Grand Opening Ceremony was attended by more than 2000 participants from all over the world. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal. In th presence of his counterparts from Ethiopia, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, the Vice-President of Gambia, the President of the World Water Council, Mr Loïc Fauchon, the President of the World Bank, the Director-General of UNESCO

The 9th World Water Forum took place in Dakar, Senegal from 21-26 March 2022, under the theme: 'Water Security for Peace and Development'.It is the first time that an international event of this magnitude has been organized in sub-Saharan Africa. The location was aptly chosen as Africa faces acute challenges of universal access to water and sanitation while also battling the challenges of poverty and growing pressures related to climate change, rapid population growth, uncontrolled urbanization, pollution, etc.

The Grand Opening Ceremony was attended by more than 2000 participants from all over the world. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal. In the presence of his counterparts from Ethiopia, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, the Vice-President of Gambia, the President of the World Water Council, Mr Loïc Fauchon, the President of the World Bank, the Director-General of UNESCO and other participants from the water community all over the world. The Forum was opened by H.E. Macky Sall, he noted that water is at the beginning and at the end of life and is important for peace, development and security in Africa, as well as globally. The Presidentinvited the international community to pay attention to water issues and asked participants to do everything to meet the expectations of the forum. Mr Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council and co-organizer of the Forum spoke at the opening ceremony and reiterated calls for all to work together to combat global water challenges and to adopt dialogue and cooperation to bring an end to water conflicts. He also called for the international community to set up a blue fund to help prevent the extreme shocks imposed by climate change. The opening ceremony also had speeches from

One of the most prestigious and globally recognized prizes 'The Hassan II World Water Prize' was given to the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS). It contributes to creating global awareness and taking concrete measures to promote the cause of water.

India's Footprint at the World Water Forum

The Indian Government participated in a big way at the 9th World Water Forum. The Prime Minister was represented by a high-level delegation under the honourable Minister of Jal Shakti Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat including officials from the ministry, Wapcos Ltd, a Government of India undertaking, state governments like Meghalaya sending a high-level delegation, more than 100 delegates attended from India like members of world water council, other states and agencies. The Jal Shakti Ministry showcased India's successful initiatives including, inter alia, success stories of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, projects between India and Africa, via a country pavilion which was organised by Wapcos Ltd. The pavilion was visited by the President H.E. Macky Sall himself and was appreciated.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, gave a presentation on 'Water for Peace and Development'. He talked about India's challenges in the water sector and explained how India has dealt with it through programmes like the Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission envisioned by PM Narendra Modi. Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Additional secretary, Jal Shakti ministry also spoke during the Forum on water supply and sanitation where she showcased India's successful endeavours to improve the water supply and sanitation situation in the country.

As a cherry on the cake for India, The Kyoto World Water Grand Prize worth 2 million Yen has been awarded to an Indian structure called 'Pragati'. The Kyoto World Water Grand Prize is jointly organised by the Japan Water Forum and the World Water Council.

India Water Foundation at the World Water Forum

India Water Foundation (IWF) had a big presence at the 9th World Water Forum. As Governor on the board of World Water Council,

Dr Arvind Kumar organised and contributed to various high-level panels and sessions.

Dr. Arvind Kumar spoke as a panellist in the session on 'Participatory governance for rural water supply and sanitation' one of the thematic sessions of Rural Development' Participatory governance for rural water supply and #sanitation'. Dr Arvind Kumar, elaborated "If the services of watersupply and sanitation are up to the acceptable standard then even the ruralcommunities would pay to avail them because paying for this is better than to incur the medical expense in lieu of these services. The session was organized by Mr Programme Solidarite Eau at the 9th World Water Forum on 21st March 2022.

Dr Arvind Kumar also spoke as a panellist in the thematic session on Localizing Multi-stakeholders partnership for Sustainable Resilient and Inclusive Water Resources Management in Africa and Asia. During his panel discussion he elaborated how we must encompass an integrated approach incorporating 'Transversal' shift interlinking vertical linkages between water- food-energy nexus with horizontal indicators like Heath, Education, Agriculture, Gender etc. must be weighed against efficiency, effectiveness and equity if we have to realize 2030 agenda.  The thematic session was 'organized by #JapanWaterForum and #OECD on 23rd March 2022.

Ms. Shweta Tyagi, Chief Functionary of IWF was part of a high-level panel discussion in the session on 'Systems approach to deliver water to people'. The objective of this session was to present a preliminary vision Systems Approach to Deliver Water to People and to solicit feedback from the broad water community on the vision. During the session Ms. Tyagi elaborated on how adopting an integrated approach instead of a sectoral approach for achieving and implementing SDGs and also stressed on how cooperation and coordination among various agencies is imperative to deliver water and sanitation facilities to all. The session was organized by the WorldWaterCouncil.

To commemorate India Water Foundation's founding day, IWF organized a special session on 'Ecosystem based Adaptation for Complete Water Security' at the World Water Council boot at the Forum.The session was moderated by Mr. Atul Bagai, Head, UNEP India Office, other speakers in the session were Mr. Lifeleng Li, Director, FAO Land and Water Division, Mr. Piyush Dogra, Consultant World Bank and DrArvind Kumar President, IndiaWater Foundation. During the session Mr. AibanshngainSwer, OSD of MBDA MeghalayaGovernment presented the case study of Meghalaya during the session. The session was inspired by the latest book of DrArvind Kumar with Elsevier publications on Ecosystembasedadaptation.

Looking to the Future

The 9th World Water Forum concluded with the release of The Dakar Declaration- A 'Blue Deal' for Water Security and Sanitation for Peace and Development aimed at guaranteeing access to water and sanitation for all, ensuring adequate financing and inclusive governance, and strengthening cooperation. Through this declaration in four main areas, the aim is to accelerate the implementation of the right to drinking water and sanitation for all by providing appropriate legislative frameworks, said Abdoulaye Sène, Executive Secretary of the 9th World Forum. The declaration also emphasizes the need to mobilize all stakeholders through integrated and inclusive strategies. The Forum had a footfall of over 30,000 participants with over 3000 projects launched and 5000 contributions made. The Dakar 2022 has shown initiative, imagination, and dedication in placing various countries on the path leading to the improvement of the various indicators relating to water. This Forum has made the horizon clear and the road well marked towards the 10th World Water Forum which will be hosted by the Republic of Indonesia in 2024.

About Dr. Arvind Kumar

Dr Arvind Kumar is Governor, World Water Council and President, Founder of India Water Foundation, a non-profit organization and think tank established for generating a heightened public awareness at national level in India and sub-regional level in Asia, regarding water and its impact on human health, economic growth and environmental sustainability, Special Consultative Status with UN-ECOSOC, Observer Status Governing Body of UNEA, Observer Status with UNFCCC, Observer Status with UNCCD, CTCN membership for Southern Asia, member IUCN and member South Asia Network for Sustainable Development (SANS) platform of the SSWA office of UNESCAP.

He is a strategist and key-influencer in development sector with more than 26 years of experience, author, columnist, Water activist, and specializes in ecosystem-based adaptation, water-energy-food nexus, with specific emphasis on inter-linkages between water, environment and SDGs. He has published over 400+ research articles and is a Ph.D. Defense Studies. He jointly edited a publication with SAC Dhaka titled “SAARC Outlook on Water-Energy-Food Nexus in SAARC Region”. Author of recently published book 'United Nations: 75 and Beyond' to commemorate 75 years of service of UN, and “Ecosystem Based Adaptation: Approaches to Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources” a publication with Elsevier. Upcoming publication “India @75 and Beyond” releasing in April 2022.

He is member of the 'National Wetlands Committee, MoEF&CC, GOI, member Technical Advisory Committee for India's Third National Communication and Biennial Update Reports to UNFCCC, member of the Meghalaya State Water Resources Council and Meghalaya council for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Member of the General Body of CAPART, Member Working Group on Water Resources Development, Management and Efficient utilization to seek inputs for development agenda for New India @75, NITI Aayog, GOI.

Conferred with the Achievers Award for his exemplary contribution and commitment for protecting environment by India Eye IHRO in collaboration with UNIC for India & Bhutan on the occasion of World Environment Day 2017 in New Delhi, Water Digest Water Awards “Water Warriors - United for Water!” 2017-18 under the Category “BEST WATER NGO - WATER EDUCATION”.