From 6 to 10 July 2026, Abidjan is hosting the first annual meeting of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) of the WACA projects. Just months before the closure of WACA ResIP1 and at the midpoint of WACA ResIP2, this strategic meeting brings together representatives from the nine beneficiary countries, regional organizations, and technical and financial partners to review the Programme's progress, define priorities for the coming months, and lay the groundwork for WACA+, the next phase of the regional initiative to strengthen the resilience of West Africa's coastal areas.

Organized by the UEMOA Commission in collaboration with the Ivorian authorities, the session focuses on reviewing and approving the progress reports of the national and regional components, assessing achievements made during the first half of 2026, preparing for the closure of WACA ResIP1, and conducting the mid-term review of WACA ResIP2. Participants are also discussing the activities of the WACA Platform, which will play a central role in the Programme's next phase.

The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Abou Bamba, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, and Mahamadou Gado, UEMOA Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment. The ceremony was attended by Jeanne Akakpo, Minister-Counsellor in charge of Infrastructure and Living Environment of the Republic of Benin, Prince Berengere, representative of the World Bank, as well as representatives of Member States and regional partner institutions.

In his opening remarks, Mahamadou Gado commended the commitment of Member States and reaffirmed the importance of stronger regional cooperation in addressing shared coastal challenges.

"It is our responsibility to continue, in a spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, our collective efforts to strengthen regional integration and cooperation among coastal countries."

In his address, Minister Abou Bamba thanked the UEMOA Commission for selecting Côte d'Ivoire to host the meeting. He also conveyed the congratulations and encouragement of President Alassane Ouattara to all stakeholders involved in implementing the WACA Programme before officially declaring the first annual meeting of the Regional Steering Committee open.

The RSC session was preceded by two days of technical meetings, held on 6 and 7 July, during which experts reviewed the implementation of decisions adopted at previous Steering Committee meetings, assessed the status of ongoing activities, and prepared the documentation submitted for consideration by Committee members.

As the strategic decision-making body of the WACA ResIP projects, the Regional Steering Committee meets twice a year to provide strategic guidance, oversee project implementation, and strengthen coordination among countries and partners. The outcomes of this meeting will help consolidate the Programme's achievements while paving the way for WACA+, which aims to scale up investments in the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems across West Africa.