Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, led a delegation to the Conference of African Ministers in charge of Environment in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from August 30 to September 6, 2024.
The conference is organized annually under the aegis of the African Union and in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme to review environmental concerns in Africa and agree on relevant resolutions to be brought to the attention of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The meeting is being held against the backdrop of the Conferences of the Parties to the three Rio Conventions on the Environment—namely Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Combating Desertification—and the fourth session of negotiations to establish a binding instrument to combat plastic pollution, which are scheduled to take place between now and the end of 2024.
The aim of the Conference of Ministers is to prepare for these Conferences by defining common positions to be defended during forthcoming negotiations. Like other regional economic communities, ECOWAS is participating in discussions to better present regional concerns and incorporate results from this work, ensuring effective participation in upcoming Conferences related to the Rio Conventions.
On the sidelines of the Conference of African Ministers, Commissioner TOURE-LITSE held working sessions with partners including representatives from UNEP, UNCCD, UNECA, and AUC.
Together with Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, Regional Director for Africa at UNEP's Africa Office, Commissioner TOURE-LITSE discussed renewing their Memorandum of Understanding as well as collaboration on certain priority programs. These include integrated management efforts for Fouta Djallon Massif and initiatives related to a regional carbon market.
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