The Sahel and West Africa Club’s Policy Steering Group (PSG) convened in Paris, France, on June 4-5, 2024. The ECOWAS Commission was represented by Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. She was accompanied by Mr. Hemou P. Dedou, Permanent Representative of ECOWAS in Brussels; Mr. Alain Traore, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Mr. Diabate Bazoumana, Executive Assistant.
During the meeting, members reviewed the Sahel Club’s 2023 financial report, work program, and 2025-2026 budget. They also discussed issues related to intra-regional food trade and conflict networks in West and North Africa. The Policy Steering Group is a decision-making body that defines the strategic orientations and areas of intervention of the Sahel Club in alignment with the West African regional agenda and its members' priorities.
On the sidelines of the PSG meeting, representatives from regional organizations (ECOWAS, UEMOA, and CILSS) held working sessions on June 6, 2024, with OECD Ambassadors, the Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, and the Chairman of the Development Assistance Committee to strengthen cooperation between West African members of the Sahel Club and the OECD.
During these meetings, Commissioner Toure-Litse highlighted several challenges facing countries in the region: security issues, political instability, rapid urbanization impacting food and nutritional security adversely, and climate change leading to biodiversity loss. She urged OECD member countries to support efforts in finding global and coherent solutions to these challenges.
Alerts Sign-up