Climate change is a major global concern. Mali is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change for reasons that include, among others: the population's dependence on natural resources (agriculture and livestock being the two activities most practiced on a national scale), frequent droughts, deforestation, soil erosion, population growth and the pressure exerted on ecosystems.
During the preparation of the Danish-Swedish Support Programme (PADS) 2010-2014 to the Water and Sanitation Sector (Prosea), it became clear that the impact of climate change and anthropogenic pressure on the quantity and quality of resources and uses deserved an in-depth study with the aim of identifying specific actions to be included in the second phase of the IWRM PLAN (PAGIRE).
In response to this need, Mali, in partnership with the Kingdom of Sweden and the Netherlands, will conduct a study on the consequences of climate change and anthropogenic pressure on the quantity and quality of water resources and uses. The objective of this study is to take into account the impacts of climate change on the quantity and quality of water resources and uses in the integrated water resources management process underway in Mali.
A report on current scientific knowledge on the consequences of climate change on water resources in Mali, including an estimate of the effects on the various sectors of use will be produced. The results of the study will be included into the integrated version of the Integrated Water Resources Management and Action Plan (Pagire). The process will be led by the National Directorate for Hydraulics and financed by the Kingdom of Sweden and the Netherlands. The consulting firms BRL (France) and Cira (Mali) are responsible for the project.
This workshop was attended by the representative of the Swedish Embassy in Mali, Anna Tengnas, programmes officer, and Félix Hoogveld from the Embassy of The Netherlands, technical and financial partners from the Ministry of Energy and Water. They are convinced that the results of these studies will strengthen water resources management and governance in order to stem conflicts over water resources in Mali.
Navon Cissé, on behalf of the Minister, welcomed the holding of this meeting which brought together eminent researchers. He said that these studies are important to achieve sustainable development goals. The Minister's representative commended the consistent support of donors that has never been lacking.
The CWP-MALI was represented at this workshop by the communication officer, Mariam Diakité