On 4 and 5 December 2025, Cotonou brought together representatives from the nine coastal countries involved in the WACA ResIP 1 and 2 program, alongside the UEMOA Commission, the World Bank, IUCN, the Abidjan Convention, CSE, PRCM, RAMPAO, and other regional partners. This second annual meeting of the regional steering committee (RSC) strengthened political and technical coordination around key coastal resilience challenges in West Africa. 

Discussions focused on the review and approval of the 2025 progress report for the regional component, the assessment of progress achieved at national and regional levels, and the adoption of the 2026 annual work plan and budget (AWPB). Participants also reviewed progress under WACA ResIP 1, now in its final phase, and the implementation of ResIP 2, which extends the program’s reach to three additional countries: the Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau. 

Participants welcomed the strengthening of the regional governance framework, the gradual operationalization of the west African coastal observatory (ORLOA), the validation of new regional strategies, and legislative advances in several countries, notably Benin and Mauritania, in the field of integrated coastal zone management. The report presented in Cotonou highlighted tangible results: kilometers of coastline stabilized, thousands of hectares protected from flooding or restored, more than 12,000 jobs supported, and nearly 15,000 households with strengthened livelihoods. These results were further confirmed during field visits to transboundary sites between Benin and Togo. 

The meeting also featured high-level exchanges on emerging challenges, particularly the increasing intensity of swells, accelerated erosion, and growing pressure on coastal ecosystems. State representatives emphasized the importance of coordinated action based on science, innovation, and community engagement. As highlighted by several delegations, coastal countries face shared threats that require harmonized responses and strengthened transboundary cooperation. 

The Cotonou meeting underscored progress made in the capitalization of good practices, the application of nature-based solutions, and the growing importance of early warning systems, illustrated by ongoing projects in Togo and Mauritania. Advances in the regional communication strategy were also presented, reflecting increased visibility of the program and a stronger media presence. 

Looking ahead to 2026, countries expressed a strong commitment to accelerating investment implementation, strengthening technical capacities, and improving institutional coordination. Priority will be given to the finalization of ResIP 1, the project’s final evaluation, continued capitalization efforts, and the scaling up of high-impact initiatives, particularly those related to ecosystem restoration. 

The session concluded with a field visit highlighting the importance of collaborative work between neighboring countries and technical partners.