Context
The 1st Edition of the West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO) will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on September 25-26, 2026 under the theme “Valuing Water to Transform West Africa”. The forum aims to assess the regional Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) process, evaluate the implementation of SDG 6 on water and sanitation, mobilize financing for the sector, and strengthen West Africa’s participation in international water debates.
Preparatory Meeting in Abuja
To ensure effective technical preparation, a meeting was held on April 24-25, 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. It brought together representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, AMCOW, the Regional Coordination Group (ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, GWP-WA), IUCN, and the Dakar Water Hub.
Key Outcomes
During this meeting, participants:
- Reviewed the interim reports of the four Thematic Working Groups (TWGs):
- Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus
- Financing of water infrastructure
- Gender, youth, and social inclusion
- Regional cooperation and hydro-diplomacy
- Validated the draft communication plan for FREAO
- Discussed and refined the provisional agenda of the forum
GWP-WA Participation
GWP-WA, leader of TWG3 “Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion,” was represented by its Executive Secretary and Regional Project Officer. Their contribution reinforced the inclusive and participatory dimension of the preparatory work.
Conclusion
This meeting marks an important milestone towards the successful organization of FREAO, which will serve as a major regional platform to promote integrated and sustainable water resources management, strengthen synergies among stakeholders, and amplify West Africa’s voice in global water debates.
