A crucial three-day national workshop has commenced in N’Djamena, dedicated to bolstering the governance of groundwater resources. This gathering, which began on June 16, 2026, brings together approximately fifty participants from various sectors, including public institutions, technical and financial partners, civil society organizations, and water user groups. The primary objective is to forge a consensual and multi-stakeholder action plan designed to enhance groundwater management and address critical risks associated with both its quantity and quality.

Groundwater holds immense importance for Chad’s water security, serving as a vital source for potable water supply, agricultural irrigation, pastoral systems, and urban expansion. This is particularly true in regions grappling with climate stress and dwindling surface water availability. Recognizing this critical role, the national three-day workshop was convened specifically to develop a comprehensive and collaborative action plan. This initiative aims to fortify the governance of groundwater, directly tackling the priority risks concerning the volume and purity of this indispensable resource.

During the opening remarks, Natascha Paddison, the UNICEF representative, underscored the collective responsibility to ensure every child has equitable access to essential services, including clean drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation. She emphasized that every technical decision concerning groundwater directly impacts human lives, affecting health, education, human capital development, and overall dignity.

Paddison urged participants to utilize the three days to exchange insights, compare experiences, pinpoint priority risks, and collaboratively devise tangible solutions. She further highlighted that groundwater resources should serve as a safeguard for public health rather than a hazard, and a catalyst for development instead of a potential source of conflict, all while safeguarding the interests of future generations.

The UNICEF representative reiterated her organization’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Chadian government and all partners throughout this critical endeavor. She also expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom, specifically its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose crucial backing facilitated the successful organization of this vital workshop.

Meanwhile, Fatimé Hassan, Director General of Water Resources, clarified that the primary goal of this gathering is to formulate a cohesive action plan aimed at enhancing groundwater governance across Chad. She detailed that the workshop proceedings would foster a shared understanding of the nation’s groundwater status, pinpoint key governance challenges affecting its management, and outline the necessary activities for implementing agreed-upon actions. Hassan noted that the workshop’s outcomes would be documented in a comprehensive report detailing major discussion points, alongside a technical guidance note incorporating findings from the 2026 national exploratory assessment on groundwater-related risks.

The workshop has convened approximately fifty participants, representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders including national water authorities, various sectoral ministries, regional organizations, technical and financial partners, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, user groups, and academic experts. These discussions are expected to culminate in concrete recommendations for more effective, inclusive, and sustainable groundwater management within Chad.