Some forty participants attended the event, including experts from the Ministries of Water and Forests, Hydraulics, Agriculture, the Environment, Women and the Family, Fisheries, Energy and Mining, as well as representatives of technical and financial partners, notably UNEP, IOM, GIZ, ACF and UNICEF. Civil society organisations, particularly from the Gontougou and Boukani regions, were also present, demonstrating their collective commitment to the integrated and sustainable management of water resources and a concerted response to the environmental and socio-economic challenges facing Côte d'Ivoire.
Dr Koffi Ehui Bruno, Chair of the PNECI, welcomed the strong mobilisation of the partners and presented the challenges of this workshop dedicated to the establishment of the IWRM Platform. Mr Krizoua Léon, Project Coordinator and Representative of UNEP, expressed his enthusiasm for this workshop, underlining its importance for his institution, which has been carrying out IWRM activities in the Boukani region for some time. Mr David Preux, Head of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Abidjan, noted that IWRM represents a holistic approach to meeting water-related challenges. He also underlined IOM's commitment to supporting Côte d'Ivoire in integrating the migration dimension into the IWRM approach for a more inclusive and sustainable management of water resources.
Mr Djaha Antoine, Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Water and Forests, representing the Minister, welcomed the presence of experts from various state organisations and structures. He recalled that, faced with the challenges of climate change and water pollution, Côte d'Ivoire has initiated concrete solutions, notably through the adoption of the Water Code, of which the initiative of this platform is an integral part.
Discussions at the meeting focused on IWRM implementation indicators, interventions by technical and financial partners in the field, governance, synergy and the issue of political will, local governance and community involvement.
The collaborative platform initiative is seen as crucial for inclusive, sustainable water governance adapted to local realities, with a particular emphasis on transparency and consultation.
A declaration of commitment (in French) was made by the workshop participants. This meeting was facilitated by Mr Cyriaque ADJINACOU & George De Gooijer with the support of the GWP-WA Executive Secretariat.