Luanda:President João Lourenço emphasized the need for political and diplomatic measures to prevent and resolve water-related conflicts in Africa during the 4th Edition of the Luanda Biennale, a Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. He highlighted the importance of establishing cross-border river basin management committees and commissions to build mutual trust and support preventive diplomacy.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Lourenço urged African leaders and citizens to unite political will and technical capacity to achieve fair water governance, which he believes is essential for meeting the needs of the population and preventing tensions between neighboring countries. He expressed hope that the meeting would lead to concrete proposals for the Continental Pact on Water Governance and a roadmap for impactful actions on the continent.
President Lourenço linked water security to food security, stressing that food sovereignty cannot exist without water security. He warned of the severe consequences of climate change, such as droughts and floods, affecting living conditions across Africa, and called for national, regional, and continental measures to mitigate these effects. Angola's governance, he noted, is based on good neighborliness and equitable water use, in line with international commitments like the SADC Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses.
The President also advocated for unity among African nations to streamline international financial flows and secure fair climate change adaptation funding. He welcomed young African leaders and activists to the Biennale, highlighting their role in sustainable water management and conflict mediation. The dialogue, themed "Inclusive governance, uniting generations," aims to underscore the contributions of youth to water resource management.
President Lourenço acknowledged African women's roles in water management and their essential participation in decision-making and conflict prevention. He emphasized the importance of the union between women and youth to prevent conflicts.
The Biennale aligns with the African Union's 2026 theme, focusing on water governance as a tool for conflict prevention and sustainable development. The event features discussions on water diplomacy, regional integration, and community participation in governance, concluding with the Luanda Biennale 2026 Declaration and a joint communique from the African Union, UNESCO, and the Angolan Government.
