The three-day parliamentary seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra ended Wednesday, with a call for urgent and coordinated action to address the growing impact of climate change on the region’s environment, populations and security.
Members states were reminded that the region could no longer afford to delay action on climate change.
Delivering her closing remarks, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, highlighted the urgency of the climate challenge facing the region today.
She cited intensifying droughts and floods, receding coastlines and the disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations.
Hadja Ibrahima said the national climate impact experiences shared during the seminar demonstrated how political will, innovation and regional cooperation could help transform these challenges into opportunities.
“Among the recommendations emerging from the deliberations were the establishment of a Regional Climate Resilience Fund, the strengthening of early-warning systems, and the promotion of agroforestry and renewable energy,” she said.
Equitable access to climate finance
The Speaker also called for inclusive climate policies, equitable access to climate finance and stronger parliamentary oversight of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions and regional commitments.
“The time has come for action,” Ms Ibrahima declared, urging members of Parliament to take the lessons and recommendations of the seminar back to their respective countries and advocate for their implementation.
Reaffirming the ECOWAS Parliament’s commitment to regional integration, climate resilience and collective security, the Speaker assured participants that the seminar’s conclusions would be transmitted to the competent authorities and subjected to rigorous follow-up.
She called for sustained regional cooperation to build a peaceful, resilient and prosperous West Africa, in line with the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Country climate presentations
The event was held on the theme: “Climate change as a driver of environmental degradation, population displacement and growing insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
It brought together parliamentarians and stakeholders to examine the environmental, humanitarian, developmental and security consequences of climate change and explore practical measures to strengthen the region’s resilience.
The final day of the seminar featured a documentary highlighting the impact of climate change across various sectors, followed by country reports from five ECOWAS member states — Côte d’Ivoire, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Togo and Nigeria.
The country presentations provided national perspectives on climate-related challenges and responses, enriching discussions on the need for coordinated regional action to tackle the growing threats posed by climate change.
