Regional Forum in Dakar to Promote Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in West Africa
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Senegalese Ministry of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and the World Food Program (WFP), is organizing a regional forum in Dakar. The forum, titled “Promoting regional value chains and food security to strengthen regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa,” aims to enhance partnership and collaboration among intergovernmental organizations in West Africa.
Scheduled to take place on June 14 to 15, the forum seeks to strengthen the partnership for sustainable development between the United Nations entities represented by ECA, WFP, and other agencies, and West African intergovernmental organizations such as ECOWAS, UEMOA, and CILSS.
The forum has several specific objectives, including reviewing the progress of regional integration, discussing the findings of the ECA study on opportunities for regional value chains in West Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), assessing recent sub-regional macro-economic and food security trends, and discussing flagship initiatives undertaken by ECA, WFP, and other UN agencies and West African intergovernmental organizations.
Additionally, the forum aims to strengthen political dialogue on the growing threats of food insecurity in the West African sub-region, sensitize political and economic decision-makers to commit to immediate and structural responses, and explore prospects for strengthening the partnership between ECA, WFP, and other United Nations entities with intergovernmental organizations to better support the efforts of West African countries towards deepening regional integration and achieving sustainable development.
West Africa is home to an estimated population of 424.3 million in 2022, with 27.3% of the population living on less than $2.15 a day. The region’s Human Development Index (HDI) is the lowest on the continent, with thirteen out of fifteen countries classified as low human development countries. This poses a challenge to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. While progress has been made in certain areas such as reducing extreme poverty, access to drinking water, access to energy, and local development financing, there is still a significant gap in areas such as fighting hunger and food insecurity, access to quality health services, industrialization, economic diversification, improvement of living conditions in cities, and peace and good governance.
The forum will contribute to the ongoing efforts of the West African sub-region to deepen regional integration and effectively implement the AfCFTA. The United Nations aims to strengthen its partnership with ECOWAS and other intergovernmental organizations for better coordination of support aligned with the strategic priorities of sub-regional organizations and the achievement of the SDGs.
The regional forum in Dakar will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of promoting regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa.
regional value chains in africa
The role of regional value chains in promoting economic growth and diversification in West Africa, and to identify ways to enhance food security and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
The forum will bring together high-level representatives from governments, regional intergovernmental organizations, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector. They will engage in discussions, share experiences, and explore innovative approaches and strategies to promote regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa.
During the forum, participants will also have the opportunity to exchange best practices and lessons learned from successful initiatives and interventions in the region. They will discuss challenges and opportunities in the implementation of regional value chains, and propose recommendations for policy and programmatic interventions to foster sustainable development and economic growth in West Africa.
Furthermore, the forum will provide a platform for networking and collaboration among participants, fostering partnerships and synergies among different stakeholders. It will also serve as an avenue for showcasing innovative projects and initiatives that contribute to regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa.
The outcomes of the forum will contribute to ongoing efforts to advance regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa. The discussions and recommendations will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including governments, intergovernmental organizations, development partners, and civil society organizations, to inform policy-making and programming decisions at the regional and national levels.
Overall, the regional forum in Dakar is a crucial platform for promoting regional integration and sustainable development in West Africa. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share experiences, and develop collaborative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities in the region. Through enhanced partnership and collaboration, it aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
It’s encouraging to see West Africa’s sub-regional actors coming together to prioritize sustainable development. Collaborative efforts like these are essential for addressing the region’s challenges and harnessing its vast potential. Kudos to INTEGRATION for shedding light on this important initiative.
It’s encouraging to see West Africa’s sub-regional actors coming together to prioritize sustainable development. Collaboration and coordination are essential for achieving meaningful progress, and this proactive approach bodes well for the sub-region’s future.