The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), will host the West and Central Africa Regional Workshop on Wastewater Surveillance for Environmental and Public Health from 21 to 23 January 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.
This workshop, part of UNEP’s Wastewater Surveillance for Africa (WWS) initiative, will bring together government officials, researchers, and key partners from West and Central Africa countries. Over three days, participants will explore how wastewater surveillance can serve as a powerful tool for public health protection, environmental management, and pandemic preparedness.
Through expert presentations, practical training, and group discussions, the workshop will focus on strengthening regional capacity, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration across countries. Key topics will include the development of national wastewater surveillance systems, harmonized approaches to monitoring, capacity-building in low-resource settings, and new opportunities for surveillance at airports, aircraft, and ports.
The workshop also aims to identify regional capacity needs, build stronger networks for data sharing, and develop a harmonized roadmap for scaling wastewater surveillance across Eastern Africa.
Supported by the European Union Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), the event will provide a crucial platform for knowledge exchange and coordinated action.
Participation is by invitation only.
