High Level Panel III: Sustainable Water Resources Management for a Food-secure Africa - raising the voice of agriculture and the blue bioeconomy

Water is life and critical enabler for sustainable socio-economic development, building resilience to climate change, and key driver for social change in Africa. Africa’s agriculture, largely rain-fed, depends heavily on reliable rainwater availability, yet climate change is intensifying droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall, undermining food production systems. This provides a basis for ongoing discussion of agricultural water and the regenerative blue bioeconomy priorities, justifying for more investment, innovation, and evidence-based decision making.

In this context, the High-Level Panel will advance global action on water resilience, sustainable food systems, and the rising importance of the regenerative blue bioeconomy. Amplifying Africa’s perspective on the urgent need to safeguard water resources in the face of climate change, population growth, and increasing food demand, the panel positions agriculture and regenerative blue bioeconomy at the center of international water governance. Specifically, the high-level panel translates innovative and sustainable water management solutions and regenerative blue bioeconomy into concrete investable actions, including the facilitation of blended finance, and technology transfer based on partnerships and collaboration to enhance resilience against disturbances and support sustainable development.