On the sidelines of the Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Water Conference held on 27 January 2026 in Dakar, the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Center (WRMC) participated in a high-level side event titled: “Enhancing Peace, Security, and Development in West Africa through Transboundary Water Cooperation.”
The session was organized by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) as part of its mandate to promote preventive diplomacy and support peace efforts in the region.
Mr. Alexis KOUASSI, Director of WRMC, joined representatives from six major river basin organizations: the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), the Volta Basin Authority (VBA), the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), the Senegal River Development Organization (OMVS), the Gambia River Development Organization (OMVG), and the Mano River Union Secretariat.
The panel discussions highlighted:
-
practical experiences in transboundary water cooperation,
-
joint planning initiatives,
-
hydrological data-sharing mechanisms,
-
and approaches to prevent water-related intercommunity tensions amid climate shocks, political crises, armed conflict, and humanitarian needs.
Speakers emphasized that strengthened water governance is a key driver of regional stability, climate resilience, and sustainable development. They also identified institutional and financial gaps limiting progress, calling for stronger ECOWAS support to harmonize water policies and reinforce the role of basin organizations in fostering peace and cooperation.
In his remarks, the WRMC Director reiterated the importance of water diplomacy as a tool for solidarity, crisis prevention, and shared sustainable development for West African populations.