Many actions have been undertaken and are being implemented by Member States and the ECOWAS Commission to adapt to climate change and contribute to the reduction of green-house gas emissions. To date, the results are still very limited. The climate change projections for the future reveal even more disastrous effects both for the international community and for the most vulnerable African states, including West Africa and the Sahel.

In addition, Africa’s expectations in terms of adaptation financing have so far not been met by successive Conferences of the Parties including the very recent 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) on climate change held in Glasgow (United Kingdom). This reinforces the idea that we do not wait any longer, and that a strong commitment be made by the High Authorities of our countries to mobilize all actors and partners to tackle climate change issues more effectively in West Africa and the Sahel.

This is why and on the instruction of the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and President of the Republic of Ghana, a draft Declaration on climate change will be submitted for adoption at the next Summit scheduled for December 12, 2021, in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.