Relaunch of the Regional Council on Water in West Africa

On the 10^th and 11^th of July 2025, Dakar hosted the 1^st extraordinary session of the Sub-Regional Water Resources Consultation Council (CRCRE), under the Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (CPCS) for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa.

The session brought together IWRM focal points from ECOWAS and UEMOA member states, representatives of basin organisations, local authorities, civil society organisations, technical and financial partners, and sub-regional institutions. Participants discussed several major initiatives, including:

• The ECOWAS Special Project on Drinking Water Supply;
• The West African Regional Water Forum (FREAO);
• Preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference;
• Innovative training and youth engagement programmes in the water sector.

A highlight was the election, by acclamation, of Dr. Boluwaji Onabolu, President of FEMinWASH (Nigeria), as head of the CRCRE for a two-year term. In her speech, she expressed her gratitude and called for a collective commitment to revitalise the Council and promote participatory water governance.

The work also focused on strengthening the participation of civil society organisations, with a particular emphasis on youth, gender, cross-border cooperation and sustainability.

In closing, Dr. Bakary FATY, representing the Senegalese Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, praised the quality of the discussions and reaffirmed the commitment of regional stakeholders to work together to address water challenges in West Africa.