The presentation made by Sidi COULIBALY, communications and knowledge manager highlighted important achievements including the signing of a framework cooperation agreement for the promotion of political dialogue for integrated water resources management in the basin between the three countries; the development of the Strategic Framework for Water Security (CaSSE), the implementation of training modules for scientists from research institutes in the three countries and regional institutions, the development of models as planning and decision-making tools, the purchase followed by the delivery of computer equipment to the scientific institutions of the three countries, to NBA and AGHRYMET with all the developed models installed as well as the elaboration of the Master Plan for Water Development and Management (SDAGE) of the Mekrou basin with its Programme of Measures and Investment Plan (PMPI).
Important progress were also notified in terms of culture of coordination and cooperation between the actors of the three countries and regional institutions, through a partnership framework that has fostered consensus; collaboration between scientists from the North and the South; the level and quality of scientific analyses allowing a good knowledge of the basin and allowing the establishment of planning and decision-making tools; and paths and connections established between scientists, policy makers and the development community.
At the end of the presentation, the participants' intervened among other things on the need to submit the results of Mekrou for approval by the NBA Council of Ministers, the need to inform the NBA of the main achievements of the project; the importance for the NBA to take into account the results, especially the tools developed, and to ensure that this is in harmony with those existing in the basin; the good appreciation of the fact that the ministers of the countries concerned have submitted letters of interest for a second phase of the Project.