Kampala, Uganda – Resilient40 was honoured to participate in the National High-Level Dialogue on Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services in Uganda, convened by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with UNICEF Uganda. The dialogue brought together government leaders, development partners, civil society, academia and youth representatives to strengthen Uganda’s pathway towards climate-resilient and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems.
Representing youth voices, Resilient40 contributed to discussions on the strategic importance of aligning Uganda’s national priorities with emerging continental and global water agendas. Our intervention highlighted the need to meaningfully engage young people as partners in shaping and implementing resilient WASH policies, recognizing that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population must be central to designing solutions for a changing climate.
A key focus of our contribution was the African Continental WASH Strategy and Policy, recently endorsed by African Heads of States in Addis Ababa. The Strategy provides a unified continental framework for strengthening water security, sanitation, hygiene, climate resilience and sustainable development across Africa. We emphasized that successful implementation will require stronger youth leadership, increased investment in locally driven innovation and cross-sector collaboration that places communities at the centre of decision-making.
Resilient40 also highlighted the significance of Africa Water Vision 2063, which envisions an Africa where water resources are sustainably managed and equitably shared to drive economic transformation, public health, environmental sustainability and social prosperity. We reiterated that achieving this vision requires moving beyond traditional approaches to water governance and embracing integrated solutions that connect water with climate action, food systems, health, education, energy, urban development, biodiversity and economic growth.
Looking ahead to the upcoming United Nations Water Conference, Resilient40 underscored the importance of Africa presenting a unified continental position that reflects the priorities articulated through the African Continental WASH Strategy and Africa Water Vision 2063. We welcomed the growing continental call to “bring water outside the water box” recognizing that water is not merely a sector but a foundational enabler of sustainable development across every aspect of society.
From a youth perspective, this means ensuring that water governance is integrated into climate adaptation and resilience planning, empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs, supporting nature-based solutions, strengthening financing for community-led initiatives, and embedding youth participation within national, regional and continental decision-making processes.
The dialogue reaffirmed that building climate-resilient water and sanitation systems requires partnerships that bridge governments, communities, civil society, development partners, academia and young leaders. As Africa advances towards Agenda 2063 and prepares its collective voice for the global water agenda, young people must not simply be beneficiaries of policy – they must be recognised as co-creators of solutions.
Resilient40 extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Water and Environment and UNICEF Uganda for convening this important national dialogue and for creating meaningful space for youth engagement. We remain committed to advancing climate justice, water security and resilient communities by supporting the implementation of the African Continental WASH Strategy, Africa Water Vision 2063 and Africa’s collective ambitions on the global stage.
Together, we can build a water-secure, climate-resilient, and prosperous Africa – where water is recognized not only as a resource, but as the foundation for sustainable development, peace and intergenerational prosperity.
Our global WASH Advocacy co-leadership role: https://www.washcluster.net/advocacy-working-group
