The Banjul City Council proudly highlights the participation of Her Worship, the Lord Mayoress of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, at a key session of the 2026 UN Water Conference, where she delivered a clear and principled call for inclusive, participatory, and action-oriented water governance. Representing Banjul and local governments worldwide, the Lord Mayoress emphasized that water governance is not only a global concern but a local responsibility, as cities remain on the frontlines of water delivery, public health, and accountability.
In her remarks, Her Worship stressed that meaningful participation must begin before conferences are convened, with local governments actively involved in shaping agendas from the outset rather than being engaged after decisions are made. She further underscored that participation must be directly linked to implementation, noting that cities are not merely implementers but decision-makers who confront the daily realities of ensuring access to safe and reliable water services. She also highlighted that true inclusion requires continuity and trust, calling for sustained engagement and follow-up mechanisms that translate global commitments into concrete local action.
Reaffirming that water is a human right, a public service, and a shared resource, the Lord Mayoress called for governance rooted in the public interest and anchored at the local level, where access, equity, and accountability are most directly experienced. She urged a shift from consultation to co-decision and from declarations to effective governance, reminding the global community that when water systems fail, it is local communities that bear the consequences first.
Banjul City Council remains committed to contributing meaningfully to this global dialogue and to advancing people-centred solutions that strengthen water governance and service delivery. Together, we can accelerate progress toward SDG 6 and ensure that global commitments result in real and lasting impact at the local level.
