The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, participated as a guest speaker at a high-level side event organized by the German International Cooperation Agency (GiZ) during the 61st annual Munich Security Conference from February 14 to 16, 2025. The event focused on "utilising the Water—Energy—Food Nexus as an effective catalyst for conflict prevention and resolution."
H.E. Tchintchibidja discussed ECOWAS's perspective on how their Early Warning System expertise and data in areas such as environment, health, food security, climate change, and transhumance can contribute to securing populations when accessing or sharing natural resources in volatile environments.
"The ECOWAS region, with its enormous natural resources, has significant potential for economic growth and prosperity," stated H.E. Tchintchibidja. She highlighted challenges related to resource access and sharing that affect regional stability and security. Issues include limited water access, cattle encroachment on farmlands, land ownership disputes, climate change impacts on pastoralist communities, and increased competition for dwindling resources.
ECOWAS has adopted robust strategies and mechanisms to address human security concerns linked to the Water-Energy-Food nexus to prevent or mitigate conflicts while promoting sustainability and security.
The Munich Conference on Security is an annual international security policy conference held in Munich since 1963. It serves as a significant independent forum for international security policy decision-makers.
During her visit, H.E. Tchintchibidja met with H.E. Svenja Shulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to discuss common interests between the German Government and ECOWAS Commission.
Additionally, she co-chaired the 8th Steering Committee of the ECOWAS Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD) on February 17 at the BMZ Office in Bonn with Mr. Christoph Rauh from BMZ. The meeting reviewed progress and challenges of ongoing activities in The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Benin, and Togo.
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