A regional consultation workshop in preparation for the United Nations conference on water scheduled for March 22 to 24 in New York has been held since March 13, 2023 in Lomé. This initiative of the Water Resources Management Center (CGRE) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is part of the implementation of axis 3 of the Regional Water Agency (PREAO). The meeting chaired by the Minister of Water and Hydraulics, Mr. Bolidja Tiem, is an opportunity not only to strengthen cooperation between stakeholders on water-related issues, but also to enable West African Regional Integration Institutions, as well as water basin organizations to prepare actively. This, with a view to a common and joint participation under the coordination and leadership of the ECOWAS Commission.
Officials and participants in a group photo.
From March 22 to 24, the conference on water will be held in New York in the United States under the theme ” water and sustainable development “. In order to make significant contributions and, above all, to enable ECOWAS countries to make concrete proposals for their benefit, the actors in charge of integrated water resources management, intergovernmental organizations in the water and of the climate, the organizations of the cross-border basins, take part, since March 13, 2023, in Lomé, in a regional consultation workshop.
For three days, the participants will discuss the issues of the organization of the conference on water, share the results of the African consultations. Stakeholders will also build their capacities on the formulation of clear commitments and needs, talk about West Africa’s expectations and priorities in terms of programs and projects. They will also define actions for strengthening regional cooperation and synergies, with a view to the effective implementation of integrated water resources management.
According to the Minister of Water and Hydraulics, Mr. Bolidja Tiem, access for all to drinking water, sanitation and the sustainable management of water resources remain a major challenge which must be translated into concrete actions in all countries. For him, many efforts have been made in West African countries and at the cross-border level. However, there is still a long way to go. ” It is by acting together, through regional and transboundary cooperation, that we will manage to better manage our water resources, which are increasingly affected by the effects of climate change. “, he underlined. According to Minister Tiem, this consultation is an opportunity to ensure water security and meet the challenges of easy access to water. Finally, he recalled the actions of the Togolese government in the field of water and sanitation, before reiterating Togo’s availability to work alongside brotherly countries for the happiness of all of Africa.
For the ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Mr. Sédiko Douka, drinking water and sanitation are the basis for poverty reduction, economic growth, health and the preservation of ecosystems. This is why he was delighted for the holding of this meeting which will make it possible to take stock of regional cooperation in the field of water. Also, he said that the challenges of water resources management persist. ” The progress of our region in achieving its objectives necessarily depends on the individual action taken by our Member States, but also on their capacities and those of our regional organizations to cooperate with the other stakeholders in the region”, he noted.
Clementine PANASSA
