Celebrated on March 22 each year since 1993 by the international community, World Water Day is an initiative of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) adopted by a resolution of the General Assembly of United Nations. This day makes it possible to celebrate water as a resource at the heart of life and development by highlighting the progress made and the major challenges to be met in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the number 6, “GUARANTEEING ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL AND ENSURE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES”. For this year, this day is celebrated through a challenging theme entitled: “ACCELERATE CHANGE TO RESOLVE THE WATER AND SANITATION CRISIS”.
This topic is of particular interest to our country. Indeed, it is questioning vis-à-vis the efforts and innovations to be deployed on the one hand to satisfy the different uses in a context marked by security challenges, climate change, population growth, strong urbanization, a demand increasing use of water in agricultural, pastoral, industrial production, etc. and on the other hand to preserve health and human dignity.
As a reminder, despite the many security challenges, the efforts of the Burkinabè State and its partners have made it possible to contribute significantly to the implementation of SDG6. Between 2016 and 2022, Burkina Faso's efforts in the implementation of SDG6 translate into:
An increase in the Rate of Access to Drinking Water by 3.8 points (72.4 to 76.20);
An increase in the Sanitation Access Rate of 7.7 points (19.8 to 27.5);
An increase in the proportion of villages and sectors declared “End of Open Defecation (ODF)” by 8.2 points (0.2 to 8.4);
An increase in the Degree of implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by 3 points (63 to 66).
These performances, although mixed, indicate the firm will of Burkina Faso to work tirelessly despite the significant security challenges to the implementation of the SDG6 dear to all humanity.
In addition, apart from these indicators, Burkina Faso has worked to improve the mobilization and management of water resources by developing five (5) related development programs and by adopting a National Water Strategy and a National strategy for the maintenance and safety of dams.
On the occasion of this World Water Day, the State of Burkina Faso on the own initiative of his Excellency the President of the Transition, launched this Tuesday, March 21, 2023, a vast program called "The Battle of Water". in the village of Wavoussé, Central Plateau region. The primary objective of this program, which fits perfectly with the theme of this day, is to support actions to secure the country with urgent actions that guarantee access to water and sanitation for the entire population of Burkina Faso in through innovative and sustainable systems.
I remain convinced that achieving universal access to water and sanitation by 2030 is a great challenge and a very ambitious goal, but this goal is far from being a utopia. Everything depends on the commitment of all the players.
To achieve this, I invite in the name of his Excellency the President of the Transition, all the daughters and sons of the country and all of all the friends and partners of Burkina Faso, to a general mobilization on the various sites of " The Battle of Water”. “The Battle of Water” being a battle for our life and a battle for the preservation of human dignity. Giving water is simply giving life and building a latrine is trivially helping to preserve the dignity and increase the security of each individual in society, especially the most vulnerable people, women, children and people with reduced mobility.
"The Battle of Water" also consists in deploying relevant efforts in the knowledge and protection of water resources through the operationalization of the National Water Information System, research and development activities, the improvement of the legal and institutional framework and the establishment of a financing mechanism. Undoubtedly, this will increase our efficiency and effectiveness in the mobilization and sustainable management of water resources.
While hoping that "The Battle of Water" and that which will make it possible to secure the entire territory will be shared challenges for the entire Burkinabe nation and its partners and friends, I solemnly dedicate this World Water Day to the all the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) fallen on the construction sites of the security of the country, to the IDPs and to all those who have been hard hit, in particular children orphans of terrorism and widows.
Source: Burkina Information Agency