n 23 May 2018, Chad officially became the first country outside the pan-European region to accede to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) which is serviced by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Chad's accession represents a very important development in the globalization process of the Water Convention.
Chad's accession offers new prospects for strengthening transboundary cooperation in Africa, for conflict prevention and regional stability. Moreover, these prospects are enhanced by the interest of various riparian States sharing Chad's water resources in joining the framework of the Convention. To that end, Chad and the Water Convention Secretariat (UNECE), in partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany and the African Development Bank, with the support of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, organized a series of events in N’Djamena on 19-21 November 2018 to highlight this important development for transboundary cooperation in Africa:
I- Training Workshop on the Preparation of Bankable Projects for Financing Adaptation to Climate Change and Transboundary Cooperation (Segment 1, 19-20 November)
The main objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of experts to deal with climate change and other risks related to transboundary water governance in the region through the preparation of well-designed bankable projects. (Programme)
| Presentations | ENG | FRE |
|---|---|---|
| Designing a Bankable Project Mr. Francis Daniel Bougaire, African Development Bank |
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| Designing a Bankable Climate Resilience Project Mr. David Hebart-Coleman, African Water Facility |
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| Déterminer conjointement des mesures d’adaptation au sein des bassins transfrontièrs et mobiliser des fonds Ms. Sonja Koeppel, UNECE Secretariat |
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| Expérience de la CBLT en matière d'élaboration des projets bancables Mr. Ali Abdoulaye Traore, Lake Chad Basin Commission |
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| The Global Climate Finance Architecture and AfDB’s Role in Mobilizing, Structuring and Deploying Financial Instruments Mr. Leandro Azevedo, African Development Bank |
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| Expérience de l’ABN en matière d’élaboration de programme bancable Mr. Abdou Ramani Traore, Niger Basin Authority |
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| Preparing and Presenting your Projects Mr. David Hebart-Coleman African Water Facility |
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| Principes du droit international en question Mr. Komlan Sangbana, UNECE Secretariat |
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| Problèmes transfrontaliers dans le financement climatique Mr. Francis Daniel Bougaire, African Development Bank |
II- Official ceremony to celebrate Chad's accession to the Water Convention (Segment 2, 21 November morning)
The official ceremony aimed to celebrate Chad's accession and discuss next steps to promote the implementation of the Convention. (Programme)
| Statements | ENG | FRE |
|---|---|---|
| Opening address Ministry of Environment, Water and Fisheries of Chad Mr. Mahamat Alifa Moussa, General Director |
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| Statement Ms. Ebeling, Chargée d'affaires, Embassy of Germany |
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| UNECE Secretariat Ms. Francesca Bernardini, Secretary to the Water Convention |
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| Ministry of Environment, Water and Fisheries of Chad H.E. Mr. Gayang Souaré, Minister |
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| Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) | ||
| African Development Bank Mr. Ali Lamine Zeine, Resident Representative |
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| Embassy of France in Chad H.E. Mr. Philippe Lacoste, Ambassador |
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| European Union H.E. Mr. Soret, Ambassador |
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| Challenges and history of Chad's accession to the Water Convention Mr. Younane Nelngar, Ministry of Environment, Water and Fisheries of Chad |
III- Workshop on the Convention on Water and the Role of International Law in Transboundary Cooperation (Segment 3, 21 November afternoon)
The purpose of this workshop was to demonstrate the benefits of transboundary cooperation for the peaceful and sustainable management of transboundary basins through respect for the principles of international law. Special attention was given to the presentation of the Water Convention and its role as a tool for promoting transboundary water governance and the accession process. (Programme)
| Presentations | ENG | FRE |
|---|---|---|
| Challenges for cooperation in Central Africa and how can the Water Convention contribute Mr. Désiré Ndmazagoa-Backotta, CEEAC |
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| Challenges for cooperation in the Lake Chad Basin and how can the Water Convention contribute Mr. Mohammed Bila, CBLT |
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| Challenges for cooperation in the Niger Basin and how can the Water Convention contribute Mr. Abdou Ramani Traore, ABN |
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| General introduction to the Water Convention, including links with the 2030 Agenda Ms. Francesca Bernardini, UNECE Secretariat |
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| Institutional framework and activities of the Water Convention: How the Convention promotes cooperation, including the practical operation of the institutional framework Mr. Komlan Sangbana, Ms. Sonja Koeppel, UNECE Secretariat |
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| Opening statement on Chad's accession process: History and lessons learned Mr. Mahamat Abderaman Troumba, General Director |