ECOWAS Trains Environmental Experts and Analysts from National Centres for The Coordination of Response Mechanisms (NCCRM) To Tackle Climate Change and Environmental Challenges

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is organising a Sectoral Thematic Workshop on Climate Change and the Environment 2024 from 3 to 5 June in Abuja, Nigeria.

Organised by the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, the workshop brings together stakeholders, experts and analysts with the aim of facilitating the exchange of knowledge and skills among analysts from Member States and equipping them with advanced analytical skills to develop effective strategies to combat environmental degradation and the effects of climate change, which threaten the ecological well-being of ECOWAS citizens.

In her opening speech, the Acting Director of the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, Dr Onyin-ye Onwuka, welcomed all the participants, and emphasised the key role of the ECOWAS Early Warning System (EWS) in strengthening peace and stability through its robust data collection, analysis and alert communication mechanisms.

Recognising the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, participants will engage in insightful discussions aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and proposing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Workshop will also provide a platform for analysing existing environmental policies and regional dynamics, with the aim of halting environmental degradation and mitigating potential catastrophes.

Dr Onyinye Onwuka, expressed her confidence in the debates and the expected results of the three-day event. “The participation of esteemed analysts, sister directorates, and experts will facilitate knowledge and experience sharing, strengthening coordination between the regional and national actors in insuring peace and stability in west Africa”.

The programme officer of the Early Warning Directorate’s office, Alice Kola-Solomon, reiterated that the seminar is expected to include a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of climate change, food security, insecurity, terrorism, transhumance conflict and illegal mining.

Emphasis is being placed on the importance of stakeholder involvement and the adoption of sustainable, evidence-based recommendations to sustainably and comprehensively address climate challenges.

It is recalled that the ECOWAS Early Warning System (EWS)  under the Office of the Vice President of the Commission,  is based on Article 8 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993 and the 1999 Conflict Prevention Mechanism,  includes 77 field monitors, regional staff and partnerships with the National Coordination Centres for Response Mechanisms (NCCRMs) and the West Africa Network of Peacebuilders (WANEP).