ECOWAS, UEMOA AND CILSS CONVENE THE FIRST WEST AFRICA REGIONAL WATER FORUM IN ABIDJAN, ADOPT A SHARED REGIONAL WATER AGENDA AND DESIGNATE CABO VERDE TO HOST THE NEXT EDITION

ECOWAS, UEMOA AND CILSS CONVENE THE FIRST WEST AFRICA REGIONAL WATER FORUM IN ABIDJAN, ADOPT A SHARED REGIONAL WATER AGENDA AND DESIGNATE CABO VERDE TO HOST THE NEXT EDITION

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), convened the First West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO) in Port-Bouët, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 24 to 25 September 2026. Held under the theme “Valuing Water to Transform West Africa,” the Forum brought together Heads of Government, ministers, regional institutions, river basin organisations, development partners, academia, the private sector and civil society to advance a common regional agenda for water security, climate resilience, sustainable development and regional integration. The Forum concluded with the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration, a shared regional roadmap and the designation of Cabo Verde as host of the next edition.

Opening the Forum on behalf of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, Hon. Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé called for stronger cooperation in the management of shared water resources, describing water governance as a strategic political choice and a pillar of regional stability. Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President H.E. General Birame Diop, Hon. Commissioner Amin Amidu Sulemani characterised the Forum as a regional call to action to strengthen water security and climate resilience. AMCOW President and Senegal’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, H.E. Dr Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, linked the Forum to Africa’s broader water agenda and preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. Discussions focused on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), sustainable financing, climate resilience, water diplomacy and transboundary cooperation, with participants reaffirming water as a strategic driver of food security, economic transformation, environmental sustainability and regional integration across West Africa.