LocationsClimate Security in the Western Sahel: Concrete Progress and a Call for Collective Action
November 14, 2024
Development partners and agencies working on climate security gathered in Dakar for the inaugural Board Meeting of the Regional Climate Security Programme in the Western Sahel, which reviewed progress, adopted an ambitious 2025 roadmap, and strengthened regional cooperation to address interconnected environmental, security, and social challenges.
Hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the meeting brought together key regional organizations, including the Integrated Development Authority of the Liptako Gourma States (ALG) – representing territories in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region (CCRS), the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the CILSS-AGRHYMET, and the Embassy of Denmark, which is supporting the programme with a $6 million contribution.
“The Climate Security Programme is a multi-partner initiative from UNDP, offering a bold response to the Sahel’s complex challenges, where security, geopolitical, and climate issues converge in unprecedented ways,” said Njoya Tikum, Director of UNDP’s Sub-Regional Centre for West and Central Africa in Dakar.
Amid mounting tensions over natural resources and worsening humanitarian crises due to climate change, attendees reaffirmed their commitment to addressing these interconnected issues. “Climate security and social cohesion must be at the heart of our collective actions,” stated H.E. Issifi Boureima, Executive Secretary of the CCRS.
Community initiatives
Several practical initiatives were showcased, including the construction and rehabilitation of 14 potable water points in Mali’s Mopti and Bandiagara regions, benefiting 1,700 households. The project has reduced conflicts over access to water, a critical resource often linked to tensions.
Additionally, conflict-sensitive early warning systems are being implemented with support from the AGRHYMET Regional Center in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These systems aim to enhance the ability of communities to anticipate and respond to natural disasters effectively.
H.E. Issifi Boureima, Executive Secretary of the CCRS: “Cooperation is the foundation of our future success. By expanding partnerships, we can better address growing threats and build a sustainable future.”
Water: a cornerstone of regional cooperation
The critical role of water in fostering regional collaboration was underscored by Dominique Kabeya, Senior Programme Coordinator at the Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel, which called for stronger partnerships to address water management challenges amid climate change.
“Proactive risk management is essential for sustainable results,” emphasized Mame Bousso Faye, Coordinator of the Regional Climate Security Programme. She stressed the need for continuous updates to risk matrices and stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. A session led by Sophie Boutin, in charge of monitoring and evaluation at UNDP, then focused on identifying and managing emerging risks in the region, particularly those stemming from limited local capacities and coordination gaps between institutions.
Forward-looking 2025 roadmap
The meeting culminated in the adoption of a strategic 2025 roadmap prioritizing climate resilience, local governance, and social cohesion. H.E. Issifi Boureima highlighted the importance of regional collaboration: “Cooperation is the foundation of our future success. By expanding partnerships, we can better address growing threats and build a sustainable future.”
At the closing ceremony, co-chaired by UNDP, CCRS, and ALG, Nadine Rugwe, Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor at UNDP, emphasized the need for collective efforts to overcome the Sahel’s challenges. “Collective action is indispensable to ensure a resilient future in the face of multiple crises.”
The Board Meeting concluded with a resounding call for sustained mobilization and strengthened regional cooperation at a pivotal moment for the Sahel, where climate and security challenges intersect.
