ECOWAS COMMISSION JOINS GLOBAL COALITION TO STRENGTHEN CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCE

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has officially joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). By leveraging this global coalition, the    ECOWAS Commission is committed in its efforts to strengthen regional resilience to climate change and disaster risks across West Africa.

CDRI is a global partnership of national governments, United Nations agencies, multilateral       development banks, and key stakeholders dedicated to promoting resilient and sustainable       infrastructure systems. This membership aligns with ECOWAS Commission’s strategic objectives on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable infrastructure development.

The commemoration ceremony was held on 17 February 2026 at the High Commission of India in Abuja, Nigeria, with dignitaries including India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhishek Singh; the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, H.E. Professor Fatou Sow Sarr; Nigeria’s Minister for Housing and Urban Development, H.E. Ahmed Dangiwa (represented); the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar; and CDRI representatives, alongside ECOWAS ambassadors, diplomatic and development partners.

In his opening remarks, the High Commissioner of India to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Shri Abhishek Singh, expressed optimism that the occasion provided a timely opportunity to reaffirm India’s shared commitment to cooperation. He assured the gathering of his country’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria, ECOWAS, the African Union Commission, and other African partners to deepen engagement within CDRI.

The Ambsaador noted that. “when infrastructure systems fail, the impact extends far beyond immediate physical damage. Essential services are disrupted, livelihoods are undermined,                hard-earned development gains are reversed, and vulnerable communities bear a disproportionate burden. For many countries, the economic strain of rebuilding after disasters diverts precious resources away from long-term development priorities“.

Professor Fatou Sow Sarr expressed appreciation to India for its leadership and support to CDRI, and commended the Coalition’s technical partnership. She described ECOWAS’ membership in CDRI as a strategic step toward strengthening regional resilience.

Highlighting growing climate and disaster risks, such as floods, droughts, coastal erosion, epidemics, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. She stressed the need for coordinated, forward-looking investments in resilient infrastructure. She also called for the aligned implementation of key regional resilience frameworks, supported by UNDP under the Sweden-funded Sahel Resilience Project, as critical pillars for sustainable development in West Africa.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to promoted infrastructure resilience as a critical component of disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and sustainable                        development.

The Director General noted that the increasing frequency and intensity of hazards such as floods, droughts, coastal erosion and extreme weather events across West Africa and underscore the urgent need for proactive investments in resilient infrastructure, strengthen technical cooperation and risk-informed planning.

According to the Director General of CDRI, “We are honored to have ECOWAS Commission as a Member of the Coalition. This partnership advances our shared commitment to making                           infrastructure resilient to growing climate risks. We aim to work towards ensuring that critical infrastructure systems withstand extreme weather events and safeguard development gains and livelihoods of people across West Africa”.

During the event, CDRI showcased its key strategic roadmap and initiatives, notably the Resilient Infrastructure and Resilient Africa programmes. It also highlighted its growing achievements and impact within the ECOWAS region, including successful ongoing collaborations in Ghana.

The highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of a welcome letter to ECOWAS by CDRI. This symbolic gesture underscores the formalisation of the partnership and the shared commitment to advancing disaster resilient infrastructure across West Africa.