The forum, organised by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), with funding from UNICEF, is being held from September 1st to 3rd, 2026, at Mosses Lodge in Soma, Lower River Region.
Declaring the forum open, Permanent Secretary Buba Sanyang reminded that the validation reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding water as a critical resource for sustainable development, climate resilience, public health, food security, and economic growth.
“Water is at the centre of our national development plan,” PS Sanyang stated.
“It sustains households, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, energy, industry, ecosystems, and communities.”
He warned that water resources are increasingly threatened by climate variability and climate change, including changing rainfall patterns, droughts, floods, saltwater intrusion, catchment degradation, pollution, and rising demand from a growing population.
“These challenges call for a new way of planning, investing, coordinating, and managing water resources,” he said. “This climate-smart National Water Policy and Strategy must help us move beyond business as usual.”
PS Sanyang noted that the policy and strategy provide a national framework for strengthening institutions, clarifying roles, improving cross-sector coordination, mobilizing investment, and enhancing monitoring and accountability.
He added that they align with national priorities and international commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals and climate adaptation objectives.
The validation, he said, gives stakeholders the opportunity to review the proposed direction, confirm that it responds to national realities, identify gaps, and build ownership for implementation.
“The success of this policy and strategy will depend not only on adoption during this validation, but on continued collaboration, commitment, and accountability during implementation,” he added.
On behalf of the Hon. Minister and the Government of The Gambia, PS Sanyang expressed appreciation to UNICEF and all partners for supporting the process.
Other speakers at the opening included Amie Sarr, WASH Officer, UNICEF; Governor of Lower River Region Seedy Lamin Bah; Director of Water Resources Foday Conteh. The ceremony was chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary-Technical, Madam Fanta B.S. Manneh.
