Cote d’Ivoire to Host Inaugural Regional Water Forum

Cote d’Ivoire is set to host the first Regional Water Forum, themed to adopt a regional roadmap for the sustainable management and development of water resources. Alexis Kouassi, the director of the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, stated that the initiative aims to unite stakeholders and transcend national boundaries for effective water resource management.

Jacques Assahore Konan, the Ivorian Minister of Water and Forests, highlighted that West Africa shares transboundary river basins covering nearly 90 percent of its territory, making regional cooperation essential. He asserted that water should be viewed as a catalyst for transformation in agriculture, energy, industry, and social sectors.

Konan also noted that Cote d’Ivoire has prioritized integrated water resources management within its environmental policy framework. The two-day forum will convene policymakers, experts, technical and financial partners, and representatives from civil society and the private sector to discuss these critical issues.