World Water Day in Mali: the Association of Young Water and Sanitation Professionals takes part in the national mobilization

A Major National Celebration
On March 23, 2025, Mali commemorated the 33rd edition of World Water Day at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB). Aligned with the global theme of glacier preservation, this edition highlighted two critical national concerns: “The Effects of Glacier Melting on the Water Cycle in Mali” and “The Challenge of Water Pollution.”

This high-profile event brought together all key stakeholders in the water sector: government officials, technical and financial partners, civil society organizations, and youth representatives including the Association of Young Water and Sanitation Professionals of Mali (AJPEA-Mali). The opening ceremony was held under the high patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister, in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Water.

Powerful Messages for the Future
In their speeches, national authorities and development partners reaffirmed the vital importance of access to safe drinking water currently estimated at 72% in Mali—and emphasized the urgency of increasing investment in the sector. The civil society representative called for better alignment of the national budget with prior commitments, advocating for a minimum allocation of 5% to the water sector.

The Minister of Energy and Water warned of the severe consequences of glacier retreat on climate stability and water availability, while condemning harmful practices such as illegal river dredging. He stressed the need for collective and civic awareness to address pressing environmental challenges.

An Inter-University Hackathon Driving Innovation
Alongside the official proceedings, an inter-university hackathon engaged three academic institutions in developing innovative solutions to Mali’s water-related challenges:

• Bazo University: development of a water storage system for the Niger River using recycled plastic, for agricultural irrigation (Timbuktu);
• Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of Bamako: AquaPUR, a water purification system based on moringa and solar radiation (Mopti);
• University of Ségou: My Smart Tap, an intelligent faucet designed to optimize household water consumption (Bamako and Ségou).

The FST of Bamako was awarded both the People’s Choice Award and the Jury Prize, reflecting the creativity and commitment of Malian youth in developing tangible, sustainable solutions.

Scientific Dialogue for Sustainable Water Governance
A high-level expert panel addressed the persistent threats to water resources, including pollution from artisanal gold mining, overuse of pesticides, biomedical waste, and the uncontrolled discharge of wastewater into the Niger River. The panel also highlighted the inadequate enforcement of existing legal frameworks, particularly the Water Code.

Several key solutions were proposed:

• Effective implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM);
• Strict enforcement of regulatory standards;
• Enhanced environmental awareness campaigns;
• Strengthening of environmental oversight, particularly through the establishment of water police mechanisms.

Structured Recommendations for Concrete Action
The main recommendations emerging from the discussions focused on three strategic priorities:

• Enhancing community participation in water governance;
• Promoting youth engagement and greater inclusion of women in decision-making processes;
• Improving the enforcement of existing legal provisions to ensure more robust protection of water resources.

A Collective Call to Safeguard the Future
This 2025 edition of World Water Day succeeded in uniting stakeholders across sectors around a shared ambition: ensuring the sustainable and equitable preservation of water resources. As the Director of the National Water Laboratory aptly remarked:

“If water is life, then the quality of that water will define the quality of our future.”

The active involvement of young professionals and the academic community reflects a promising momentum rooted in innovation, collective responsibility, and a determination to build a sustainable future for generations to come