Water is not only essential for Africa's socio-economic development but also plays a crucial role in sustaining natural ecosystems. However, the continent faces significant challenges in ensuring water security, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Gender equality and inclusion are recognized as vital for addressing these challenges and building climate resilience.
The Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership in West Africa (GWP-WA), the Pôle Eau de Dakar, the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and partners, is organizing a process to capitalize on innovative and successful good practices in the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the WAEMU region.
GWP-WA in collaboration with the WAEMU Commission, the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Sanitation of Burkina Faso, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Burkina Faso, Pôle Eau Dakar, the Secretariat of the Water Convention, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-DHI Centre on Water and the Environment and partners, is involved in a regional forum on the theme: "Capitalization and scaling up of IWRM best practices for water security and population resilience in the WAEMU Space" from November 28 to 30, 2023 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) is UN-Water's flagship report on water and sanitation issues. The 2024 edition, Water for Prosperity and Peace.
PRESASS 2024 was organized, from 22 to 26 April 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria, by the AGRHYMET Regional Climate Center for West Africa and the Sahel (AGRHYMET RCC-WAS) of CILSS, in collaboration with ACMAD, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (SNMHs), the WMO and West African River Basin Organizations.
Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources. This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 Member States, whose population in 2018, was estimated to be at 345.2 million, a rise from 336.9 million as of 2017. Rivers play a pivotal role in the region's socio-economic development, as evidenced by its reliance on these waterways. Southern Africa boasts of 15 major transboundary river basins, shared among neighbouring countries, with 13 basins entirely within the region's borders. However, the equitable distribution of water resources remains a challenge, exacerbated by climatic factors influencing rainfall patterns and the geographical distribution of river basins. While these rivers can spark conflicts, they also serve as conduits for peace and cooperation. Therefore, prioritizing transboundary water cooperation is not merely about economic prosperity but also essential for nurturing stability and harmony throughout the region.
The Regional Forum on Seasonal Forecasts of the agro-hydro-climatic characteristics of the rainy season for the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of West Africa and the Sahel (PRESASS), 2024 edition was held from 22 to 26 April 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The members of the Steering Committee (SC) of the Global Water Partnership in West Africa (GWP-WA) met online on October 20, 2023 to analyze the progress of the network and provide guidance in line with their mandate to manage the regional network between two Assemblies of Partners (AP).
