Saïdou Diaoune attends the United Nations 2026 Water Preparatory Conference in Dakar, Senegal

From January 23 to January 28, St. Lawrence student Saïdou Diaoune participated in the High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations 2026 Water Conference held in Dakar, Senegal, as a youth representative for the Montreal-based International Secretariat for Water (ISW). This conference aimed to reposition water “as a vector of cooperation, peace, justice, and equitable socio-economic development,” which is why it was essential for the voices of young people, such as Saïdou’s, to be heard. It is the preparatory conference for the UN 2026 Water Conference to be held in the United Arab Emirates in December 2026.

Saïdou is a key member of St. Lawrence’s Model United Nations Club, where he has developed a strong foundation in diplomacy and global affairs. His involvement in the club sparked his initial interest in the Dakar conference, helped him with the selection process, and provided invaluable practical experience that enriched his participation.

For Saïdou, the experience in Dakar was rewarding on many fronts. First, he described it as an instance of meaningful international cooperation, especially at a time of increasing uncertainty. He also mentioned that it underscored the importance of the United Nations, despite its flaws, as a forum for multilateralism and an agent of compassion. Second, he found that it was a space where young people’s voices could really be heard, which is central to the mission of the ISW that “remains firmly committed to intergenerational, intersectoral, and transboundary cooperation. Dakar represents a critical moment to ensure that youth and civil society are not only heard, but recognized as co-architects of global water governance.” Third, it really gave Saïdou an insight into the importance of water, how it needs to be protected, and that its weaponization needs to be prevented, something it is so easy to forget in water-rich Québec. Finally, a real highlight for him was a speech given by an Indigenous youth representative from Guatemala who spoke out against the pollution of water sources by multinational corporations in his village.

What are the next steps? At the end of March, Saïdou will be attending the National Model United Nations conference in New York where he will discuss issues of sustainable transport and food security with delegates from colleges and universities from around the world. He is now an ambassador for the International Secretariat for Water and hopes to attend the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Saïdou’s participation was supported by LOGIQ (Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec).

For more information on the International Secretariat for Water: https://www.sie-see.org/en

Publication on the Dakar Conference: https://www.sie-see.org/en/article/news/2026-un-water-conference-youth-and-civil-society-mobilize-in-dakar-for-the-preparatory-high-level-meeting/