West African water ministers have adopted strategic resolutions in Abidjan to consolidate regional water governance, strengthen transboundary cooperation and accelerate the transition to a more resilient, water-secure and climate-adaptive region.
The decisions were taken at the 6th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), held in Abidjan under the auspices of ECOWAS, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).
The ministers reaffirmed their collective commitment to IWRM and framed water as a strategic asset for regional integration, economic transformation, human security and sustainable development, according to a statement from the Economic Community of West African States.
In opening remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Hon. Amin Amidu Sulemani, pointed to water’s centrality to regional stability, food security, energy production and socio-economic transformation.
He said the increasing frequency of climate-related shocks, alongside environmental degradation, demographic pressures and competing demands on water resources, requires a strengthened framework for collective action and deeper regional solidarity in managing shared water systems.
Chairing the session, H.E. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Water and Sanitation and President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), described water governance as a strategic imperative for resilience, sovereignty and regional integration.
He called for renewed commitment to implementation, accountability and results, and urged Member States to articulate a common regional voice in advancing the African Water Vision 2063 and in preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
Regional institutions, technical and financial partners and stakeholder representatives also contributed. On behalf of the WAEMU Commission, participants reiterated the importance of aligning regional water governance with broader development and integration objectives.
Speaking for technical and financial partners, H.E. Jacques Somda of IUCN highlighted the need to scale up investments, strengthen innovative financing mechanisms and promote nature-based solutions capable of enhancing resilience while protecting ecosystems and livelihoods.
Dr. Boluwaji Onobolu, Chairperson of the Sub-Regional Consultative Council on Water Resources, advocated stronger stakeholder engagement and called for enhanced participation of women, youth and civil society actors in shaping the future of water governance across the region.
Building on recommendations submitted by the 13th Ordinary Session of the Technical Experts Committee, ministers endorsed strategic actions covering the revision of the West African Water Resources Policy, the operationalisation of the African Water Vision 2063 at regional level, the strengthening of water information and knowledge systems, the promotion of sustainable financing mechanisms, the institutionalisation of the West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO) and the reinforcement of regional cooperation to address transboundary water pollution and other emerging environmental challenges affecting shared river basins.
The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of evidence-based decision-making, stronger accountability mechanisms and enhanced coordination among Member States, river basin organisations, regional institutions and development partners, with the stated aim of ensuring that regional commitments translate into tangible and measurable outcomes for communities across West Africa.
The ministerial deliberations followed the 13th Ordinary Session of the Technical Experts Committee, held from 21 to 22 September 2026, during which experts, national focal points, basin organisations and development partners reviewed progress in implementing the regional IWRM agenda and formulated recommendations for ministerial consideration.
The outcomes of both meetings will inform deliberations at the First West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO), scheduled for 24–25 September 2026 in Abidjan under the theme “Valuing Water to Transform West Africa.”
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