Dakar, 11 July 2025
ECOWAS Revives the Sub-Regional Consultation Council on Water Resources in Dakar
On 10–11 July 2025, Dakar hosted the 1st Extraordinary Session of the Sub-Regional Consultation Council on Water Resources (CRCRE) under the Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (CPCS) for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa. This meeting marks the official revival of the CRCRE, after several years of interruption, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation on water-related issues.
The session, chaired by Mr. Baboucar Mboundar NGOM, Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation of Senegal, brought together IWRM Focal Points from ECOWAS and UEMOA Member States, representatives of river basin organizations, local authorities, civil society organizations, technical and financial partners, as well as sub-regional institutions.
Participants discussed ongoing regional initiatives, including the ECOWAS Special Project on Drinking Water Supply, the West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO), preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, and innovative programs for youth engagement and training in the water sector.
A highlight of the session was the unanimous election of Dr. Boluwaji Onabolu, President of FEMinWASH (Nigeria), as Chair of the CRCRE for a two-year term. In her remarks, she expressed her gratitude and called for collective commitment to revitalize the Council and promote participatory water governance.
The deliberations also focused on ways to strengthen the involvement of civil society organizations in the regional IWRM process, with particular emphasis on youth, gender, transboundary cooperation, and the sustainability of actions.
The closing ceremony, chaired by Dr. Bakary FATY, representing the Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal, commended the quality of the discussions and reaffirmed the commitment of regional stakeholders to work together to address water challenges in West Africa.