Working Together for Regional Integration

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WORKING TOGETHER FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION:

ECOWAS, UEMOA & CILSS IN THE SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA CLUB 2010 - 2015 SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA

Club Secretariat


CONTENTS A GENERATIONAL CONTRACT

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RESPONDING TO FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES

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• Improving crisis prevention and management • An alliance for food and nutrition resilience • Returning pastoralism to the top of the agenda • Broadening the spectrum of agricultural policies RESPONDING TO SECURITY RISKS

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• The ECOWAS Sahel Strategy: A joint approach with UEMOA and CILSS • Regional dimensions of the resolution of the crisis in Mali MAKING WEST AFRICA’S VOICE HEARD

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AND ALSO...

11 May 2016

What happens depends on us and those who come after us But if we think – and I am personally convinced this is so – that the future of humankind is not determined by space, energy or cultivable land but by the intelligent evolution of humanity, then we cannot and we must not be pessimistic. We must not be discouraged by temporary setbacks. Nothing is predetermined and everything is possible. What happens depends on us and those who come after us. History shows us that the reflections, judgements and choices of humankind all have a bearing on events. I would therefore suggest an act of faith: that we wager on the intelligent evolution of humanity that history has shown to be possible, and that we wager on the countries of the Sahel to follow this course of evolution with our help. We have no other choice. Anne de Lattre, founder of the Sahel and West Africa Club, 1992

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A GENERATIONAL CONTRACT For four decades, the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) has championed the cause of regional co-operation. The countries of the region are united by their histories, people, traditions, cultures, trade, social and geographical mobility – and, unfortunately, by shared afflictions associated with climate, epidemics and lack of security.

This is when the idea of a “generational contract” came into being: a long-term alliance between the region and its partners to ensure the convergence of policies and practices, to innovate and to adapt together in response to rapid change.

In 2010, two regional political and economic organisations – the Economic Community of West A frican States T he Clu b’s mission to (ECOWAS) and the West pr omot e c o - op er at ion A frican Econom ic and goes back to its origins. Monetary Union (UEMOA) Created by a joint decision joined the Club. Alongside of the countries of the Sahel CILSS, they renewed the and the Organisation for UEMOA gener at iona l cont r ac t , Econom ic Co-operation i nspi r i ng a de fac to and Development (OECD), reform of the Club’s goverthe Club grew alongside nance. Austria, Belgium, the Permanent Interstates France, Luxembourg, the Committee for Drought Netherlands, Switzerland Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and the United States both working on the same resolutely recom m it ted front for many years. The first large-scale food aid operations their support alongside ECOWAS, that followed the severe droughts of U EMOA and CI LSS and they s o on r ei n for c e d by the 1970s and 1980s were marked by wer e both generosity and disorder; the lack sig n i ficant suppor t f rom the of co-ordination was compounded by European Union towards achieving the absence of a longer-term vision. the Club’s objectives.

This booklet is not intended to tell the whole story. Its aim is to use a few examples to show how the Club has contributed over the past five years to the ambitions and policies of the regional organisations. Though the work is never entirely finished, in many respects the Sahel and West Africa region is showing the way to regional co-operation for the rest of Africa. The purpose of the Club is to accompany the region along its way. François-Xavier de Donnea, Président

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MAKING WEST AFRICA’S VOICE HEARD As food security is one of the Union’s top priorities, the UEMOA Commission was particularly pleased with the strong food security focus of the first Sahel and West Africa Week. I hope that our exchanges within the Club continue to be as open as possible and that the Club will act as a spokesperson on behalf of our region in OECD member countries and beyond. Cheikhe Hadjibou Soumaré, UEMOA Commission President Photo: ©SWAC, Julia Wanjiru

Over the past decade, West Africa’s regional organisations have soundly advanced the cause of regional co-operation and the interests of the Sahel and West Africa on the African and international stages. The leaders of these organisations are present and active in all forums that concern the region. The stakes are high. Even though recognition of the need for regional action is making headway in Africa, it is still often perceived as complex and difficult to implement. Yet it is absolutely necessary. How can a West African country working alone become integrated into the global economy or overcome transnational insecurity?

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©Pomilio Blumm/Senia Ferrante

©SWAC, Julia Wanjiru

The SWAC Secretariat: Provided communication support to ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS during their participation at COP 21. The Sahel and West Africa were the bestrepresented and most active African region at this exceptional global forum. Facilitated West Africa’s participation in the G20 discussions under the French Presidency in 2011; this led to the G20’s endorsement of the West Africa Regional Food Security Reserve (RFSR). Organises the annual Sahel and West Africa Week which brings together several hundred participants from diverse backgrounds. The Week has become a reference for the region’s development stakeholders and is a unique space to showcase regional action. In 2015, it was held as part of the Universal Exhibition in Milan. Produces a weekly NewsBrief in French and English focusing on West African regional issues and the work of the regional organisations.


RESPONDING TO FOOD AND NUTRITION CHALLENGES IMPROVING CRISIS PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Since 2010, ECOWAS and UEMOA and financial response decisions. have ensured the political leadership Recently, the organisations belonging of the Food Crisis Prevention Network to the UN system agreed to align their (RPCA), an instrument for the calls for humanitarian assistance for regional governance the region with the CHARTER FOR of food and nutrition Network’s outcomes. FOOD CRISIS PREVENTION secu rit y created AND MANAGEMENT IN THE SAHEL in 1984. ResponsiThe Network proRPCA A ND WEST AFRICA bility for technical vided the framework support is shared by for the negotiation of CILSS and the Club’s the Food Aid Charter Secret a r iat. T he in 1990 and, later, the Network is a unique Charter for Food Foreword gover na nce a nd Crisis Prevention 1 regional capacityand Management O b u i ld i ng body (PREGEC Charter), whose experience is adopted in 2011. A attracting interest tool of the Charter, and inspiring the the Ha r mon ised promotion of similar Framework (“Cadre models in other ha r mon isé” ) for parts of Africa. The the identification Network’s findings and analysis of and recommendations prov ide risk areas and vulnerable populavaluable input for regional and inter- tions, is used to assess the food national decision-making forums. and nutrition situation and make When the food and nutritional situation consensual projections. The Network requires, West African ministerial also supports the regional food meetings rely on the Network’s storage strategy – a key element of recommendations to design policy the Charter. n 10 February 1990, upon a proposal made by the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA), the member countries of the “Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel” (CILSS) and the donor members of the “Club du Sahel” adopted the Food Aid Charter. This code of good conduct intended to minimise the adverse effects of food aid and to ultimately phase-out the need for it.

Building upon an inclusive and participatory revision process conducted between 2007 and 2011, the revised Charter, renamed the Charter for Food Crisis Prevention and Management, was formally adopted by Ministers of Food and Agriculture from ECOWAS Member States as well as Chad and Mauritania on 17 November 2011 at a ministerial meeting held in Conakry (Guinea). It was approved by the 40 th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of States and Government Summit held on 16-17 February 2012. The parties concerned: governments1, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs)2; technical and fi nancial partners (TFPs)3. 1 The term “governments” refers to the governments of the 17 countries (15 ECOWAS member countries plus Mauritania and Chad). 2 The term “CSOs” includes farmer organisations, trade unions and employer federations, NGOs, professional associations, charities, grassroots organisations, organisations that involve citizens in local and municipal life, the private sector, etc. 3 TFPs include bilateral and multilateral donors and international organisations (UN system and other).

Original version: French

UEMOA

The SWAC Secretariat: Helped set-up the Network in 1984 together with CILSS. Facilitated the political involvement of ECOWAS and UEMOA in the Network. Stimulated regional deliberation on food storage systems by organising the International Forum on Regional Solidarity in Response to Food Crises in December 2010, which enabled the region to share its experience with other regions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Works closely with CILSS to organise the Network’s two annual meetings, oversee studies, support communication, and take part in other consultations within the PREGEC cycle. Is a member of the task force in charge of the West Africa Regional Food Security Reserve (RFSR) and facilitated the Reserve’s endorsement by the G20.

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ECOWAS welcomes the Club’s role in mobilising the international community around West Africa’s food and nutritional security agenda. AGIR is built on the priorities of the region and will help implement existing food and nutritional strategies. The Club plays a critical role in building this consensus. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, ECOWAS Commission President Photo: © ECOWAS

AN ALLIANCE FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION RESILIENCE West Africa is the first African region to adopt – within the RPCA – a regional policy framework on food and nutrition resilience. In December 2012, the Global Alliance for Resilience (AGIR) – Sahel and West Africa was formed in Ouagadougou, followed by the adoption in April 2013 of a regional roadmap. In late 2015, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Togo adopted their National Resilience Priorities (NRPs) after a thorough dialogue with all stakeholders. Cape Verde, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal are in the finalisation phase, and work continues in the other countries of the region. Supported politically and technically by ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS, AGIR represents a chance for the countries of the Sahel and West Africa and their international partners

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to build an integrated and multisectoral approach to food and nutrition issues and to improve co-ordination and effectiveness. The achievements of AGIR should enable these countries to ‘strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable populations’ in the very near future, as outlined in the National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs).

The SWAC Secretariat:

Photo : ©SWAC, Sibiri Jean Zoundi

Facilitated the political dialogue and strategic thinking that led to the launch of the Alliance. Provides methodological support to the AGIR Technical Unit set in place by the regional organisations, and carries out specific support, communication, advocacy and international lobbying work on behalf of the Alliance.


RETURNING PASTORALISM TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA Pastoralism is at the hear t of the U EMOA Agricultural Policy ( PAU ), the ECOWA S Com mon Ag ricu lt u ral Pol ic y ( ECOWA P) and the CI LSS Strateg ic Plan through 2020 — and yet it has long been comparat ively neglected. The emergence of insecurity and recurrent food and nutrition crises in Sahara-Sahel pastoral areas has recently enabled the regional organisations and their member states to return pastoralism to the top of the agenda both in terms of stabilisation and development.

Si nce 2015, CI LSS has been carrying out an important Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS) under the aegis of ECOWAS and UEMOA. This project is one component of the ECOWA S/ UEMOA /CILSS Sahel Strategy. At the same time, consultation is taking place on the development of a similar initiative focusing on coastal areas: the Regional Investment Programme for the Development of Livestock Farming in Coastal Areas (PRIDEC).

Pastoralism must be one of our top priorities. It is both a production system and a way of life; pastoralists and agropastoralists are particularly vulnerable to food crises, chronic nutritional insecurity and environmental problems.

The SWAC Secretariat: Helped formulate the ECOWAS action plan for the development and transformation of livestock farming in 2010, based on the conclusions of the consultations that took place in 2008 and 2009. Jointly organised — with the French Development Agency and the government of Chad — a regional symposium in May 2013 on the contribution of pastoral livestock farming to the development and security of the Sahara-Sahel area, the findings of which directly inspired the formulation of the PRAPS. Is a member of the PRAPS Technical and Steering Committee. Is a member of the task force responsible for PRIDEC.

Djimé Adoum, CILSS Executive Secretary Photo: ©SWAC

Photo : ©UNICEF, Andrew Esiebo

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BROADENING THE SPECTRUM OF AGRICULTURAL POLICIES The 10th anniversary of the ECOWAS Common Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) marked an opportunity to reflect on its adaptation to a very rapidly changing environment. In particular, the transformation of food systems is now a major

issue in West Africa. These systems need to adapt to changes in demand if the region is to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the size of its domestic market. Today, 45% of the West African population lives in cities, and this development calls for the adaptation of agricultural policies. Rapid urbanisation has led not just to an increase in the number of non-producing consumers, but also to qualitative changes in demand; together these two trends are becoming a powerful driver of agricultural transformation.

ECOWAP+10 Mutations de l’économie agro-alimentaire et implications

Secrétariat du

Club

DU SAHEL ET DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST

The SWAC Secretariat: Photo : ©SWAC, Julia Wanjiru

Led an innovative consultation process in 2011-2012 that linked urbanisation to the development of markets and food security, and then ensured that the conclusions were debated by policymakers. Contributed to the formulation of the roadmap of the Global Alliance for Resilience (AGIR) – Sahel and West Africa. Is contributing to discussions on the evaluation and prospects of the ECOWAS Common Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), with the aim of developing the next generation of National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) and their regional counterparts: the Regional Agricultural Investment Plans (RAIPs).

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RESPONDING TO SECURITY RISKS The SWAC Secretariat: THE ECOWAS SAHEL STRATEGY: A JOINT APPROACH WITH UEMOA AND CILSS Following an initial consultation on the Sahel in Washington, D.C. in October 2013, ECOWAS adopted a Sahel Strategy in 2014, based on extensive dialogue with UEMOA and CILSS. Benefiting from the political legitimacy, experience and expertise of the three regional organisations, this security strategy sets out an approach that is both original and realistic, characterised by: • Operational regional responses at relevant scales, regardless of institutional affiliation.

West African studies

DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

Conflict over Resources and Terrorism

This publication explores current global security issues, their development in West Africa and their potential impact on regional stability. It takes a close look at issues such as terrorism and trafficking, climate change, and the links between “security and development”. Some of these issues are still the object of heated debate. This book draws attention to the risk of oversimplified analyses and biased perceptions of security TWo FACeTs oFforinseCuRiTy risks. It also highlights the need coordinated policies and dialogue between West Africa, North Africa and OECD countries.

West African Studies

Global Security Risks and West Africa

Part I. Emergence of Criminal Global Networks in West Africa

DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

Chapter 1. Reversal of fortune: AQIM’s stalemate in Algeria and its new front in the Sahel Chapter 2. The security challenges of West Africa Part II. Climate Change and Security Chapter 3. The climate of the Sahel Chapter 4. The Sahel and the climate security debate Part III. The “Security and Development” Nexus Chapter 5. Climate change in the Sahel: A human security perspective Chapter 6. The securitisation of climate change in the European Union

OECD (2012), Global Security Risks and West Africa: Development Challenges, West African Studies, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264171848-en

ISBN 978-92-64-11066-3 44 2012 01 1 P

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DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

Please cite this publication as:

This work is published on the OECD iLibrary, which gathers all OECD books, periodicals and statistical databases. Visit www.oecd-ilibrary.org, and do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Global Security Risks and West Africa

027-6 01 1 P

TWo FACeTs oF inseCuRiTy

books, periodicals and

Global Security Risks and West Africa

Contents

Conflict over Resources and Terrorism

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West African Studies

West African Studies

ty in the region: conflict ses of these conflicts ponse tools. Secondly, nsecurity. It outlines on a comparative analysis holds that the congruence unprecedented risk unity.

West African studies

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• Mobilisation of all relevant regional technical institutions in the identified priority areas. • Enhanced inter-regional political dialogue with North and Central Africa; given that the security threat is common to these three regions (North, Central and West Africa), common solutions for stability and development need to be found.

Conducted a strategic discussion on security issues in 2011-12, which included the publication of two books and the organisation of a colloquium. Conducted an innovative discussion in 2013-14 on the prospects of the SaharaSahel, and ensured that the conclusions were debated by policymakers. Supported ECOWAS in the process that led to the formulation of the Sahel Strategy. Is a member of the Co-ordination Platform of the ECOWAS Sahel Strategy. Promotes the West African approach in numerous international forums on the stabilisation and development of the Sahel.

SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA

Club Secretariat 01-Feb-2012 2:45:28 PM

Secrétariat du

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DU SAHEL ET DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST

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REGIONAL DIMENSIONS OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS IN MALI The security crisis in Mali is a key focus of the ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILSS Sahel Strategy, which underlines the numerous regional dimensions of the crisis and sets out a number of transnational security and development responses. On 22 October 2015 at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, ECOWAS Commission President Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, UEMOA Commission President Cheikhe Hadjibou Soumaré and CILSS Executive Secretary Djimé Adoum participated actively in the International Conference for the Econom ic Recover y and Development of Mali, following the signing of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

Photos : ©SWAC, Julia Wanjiru

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les régions maliennes de Gao, Kidal et tombouctou PerSPeCtiveS nAtiOnAleS et rÉGiOnAleS

The SWAC Secretariat: Played a leading role in the preparations for the conference, together with the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD and the office of the Prime Minister of Mali. Promoted the participation and contributions of the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions and CILSS at the conference. Produced an analysis of the national and regional prospects for Mali’s three northern regions, and in particular promoting certain key points of the ECOWAS Sahel Strategy. These points were broadly endorsed by the Malian government in the strategy that was presented at the Paris conference.

Algérie

Kidal

Tombouctou

Mauritanie

Niger Gao

Koulikoro Kayes

Mopti Ségou

Sénégal

Burkina Faso

Sikasso

Guinée

Bamako

Côte d’Ivoire

Secrétariat du

Club

DU SAHEL ET DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST


AND ALSO... The regional organisations of the Sahel and West Africa have a variety of needs to meet in order to develop their knowledge and expertise. Designing and implementing common policies rely on the availability of comparative country data, regional maps and easy access to major i nternational Maps databases. & facts n°29 Dec 2015

SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA

Club Secretariat

Food and nutrition situation october-december 2015

June-august 2016

F

ood and nutrition vulnerability analysis, based on the cadre harmonisé (Harmonised Framework), reveals that about 8.1 million people are facing a crisis situation during the period from October to December 2015, including 5 million people in northern Nigeria due to the poor security situation. Nearly 910 000 people in chad, Mali, Niger and northern Nigeria currently find themselves in an emergency situation. During the next lean period from June to August 2016, it is estimated that about 10.8 million people could face crisis-level food insecurity, and some 980 000 people an emergency situation, if appropriate measures are not implemented. The cadre harmonisé was for the first time applied to all 17 Sahelian and West African countries.

Phases of food insecurity None or minimal Stressed Crisis Emergency Famine Not analysed

Africapolis: More and Bigger Cities

The SWAC Secretariat: Has developed a single online database of all West African cities (Africapolis). Makes hundreds of regional maps available online that have been produced in connection with its work over the past ten years. Gives regional organisations privileged access to iLibrary, the OECD online library of over 10  300 books, 116  590 tables and graphs, 4 800 working papers and 5 billion data points across 42 databases.

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© CILSS/Agrhymet Source: Regional analysis, PREGEC experts’ meeting, Niamey, Nov 2015 These maps are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.

We encourage the use of our maps! Please include the Club’s copyright, inform or contact us for specific requests: maps@westafricagateway.org

www.oecd.org/swac | www.westafricagateway.org

Postal address

E-mail

SWAC/OECD 2, rue André Pascal F–75775 Paris, Cedex 16 swac.contact@oecd.org

This is where the future awaits us Sub-regional and continental integration is an appropriate, if not essential response to the problems of underdevelopment. Without a doubt, this is where the future awaits us. What will happen when (…) Africa is unified, when the notion of borders gives way to that of cross-border areas, of areas to be knit and fused together, as President Konaré puts it (…)? Border areas liberated from the absurdities of colonial geometry will become spaces of movement and solidarity between peoples (…). The Outsider, erroneously identified as the enemy or the fraternal rival and held at distance behind a line of suspicion and danger, will prove to be our daily companion, friend, brother or partner.

2010 Source: OECD (2016)

Adame Ba Konaré, historian - 2001 Les Atlas de l’Afrique (2001), Atlas du Mali, Les Éditions J.A., Paris.

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SAHEL AND WEST AFRICA

Club Secretariat

MEMBERS Austria

Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs - Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA) Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation CILSS Executive Secretariat of the Permanent Interstates Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel ECOWAS Commission of the Economic Community of West African States France Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) UEMOA Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union United States U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) The European Union is an important partner and contributes to the financing of the SWAC programme of work, in particular activities linked to food security and resilience. As Observers, the African Union and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and the Network of Farmers’ Organisations and Agricultural Producers of West Africa (ROPPA) are closely associated with SWAC activities. www.oecd.org/swac

www.facebook.com/OECDSWAC

www.oecd.org/site/rpca

www.youtube.com/user/SWACoecd

swac.contact@oecd.org

www.flickr.com/photos/swac

@SWAC_OECD

The Sahel and West Africa Club blog

Receive our weekly NewsBrief to keep informed about the region’s trends: www.westafricagateway.org SWAC/OECD, 2, rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France

The Sahel and West Africa Club Working together for regional integration The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) is an international platform for policy dialogue and analysis devoted to regional issues in West Africa. Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness of regional action in the common and interdependent area composed of the 17 countries of ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS. Created in 1976, it is the only international entity entirely dedicated to regional co-operation in Africa. Some 100 stakeholders participate in the SWAC platform: governments of West African countries and OECD member countries, regional organisations, professional associations and civil society groups, bi- and multi-lateral development partners and research centres. Under the guidance of its Members, the Secretariat of the SWAC provides factual, innovative and forward-looking analysis; facilitates dialogue, information-sharing and consensus-building; and formulates policy recommendations. Based at the OECD, the Secretariat helps ensure West Africa’s presence in global fora.


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