His Excellency Mr. Jose Didier TONATO, received today, Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, Executive Secretary of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and Mrs. Khaoula Jaoui, Climate Department Director.
This meeting made it possible to examine the progress of the different joint initiatives for the sustainable management of natural resources, in particular the ITTAS project, which aims to improve the management, governance and conservation of the resources of the Niger River Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudéni/Tanezrouft aquifer systems. The two parties also discussed new regional initiatives aimed at improving climate resilience (RICOWAS: resilient rice farming project and BOUCLIER CLIMAT: integrated water resources management project).
A thorough discussion also took place and focused on the AdaptWAP project which aims at strengthening the climate resilience of the communities. This project has made significant progress thanks to the close collaboration between the three countries sharing the Complex, namely Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, and more particularly the Benin and OSS collaboration. Both parties stressed the importance of maintaining this momentum for the achievement of expected results and ensure sustainable benefits for local populations.
The OSS Executive Secretary also shared the success of the Multi-Risk Early Warning System official launch, which took place on May 7, 2024 in Cotonou, with the presence of the main technical partners of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. This system, designed to protect the W-Arly-Pendjari complex communities against extreme climate events, comes to prove Benin's commitment to the security and well-being of its citizens. The OSS welcomed this example of effective collaboration and technological innovation in the service of sustainable development.
The meeting also highlighted Benin's progress in other key areas of development, in particular, the significant progress that has been made in improving the living conditions of the populations, the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) measures and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra expressed his satisfaction with the level of collaboration achieved as well as the common efforts in the fight against environmental challenges and invited H.E. Mr. Jose Didier TONATO, to take part in the International Conference on Land Degradation, due on June 25-26, 2024 in Tunis. Both parties restated their willingness and commitment to work together for a more resilient and prosperous future for all.