International Organisations

The SWAC works in close collaboration with many other international organisations and their West African field offices. The most important international partner organisations are presented in alphabetical order:

FAO - www.fao.org

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays an important role in international endeavours to combat hunger. In West Africa, the SWAC works in close collaboration with the FAO, notably within the framework of the FCPN’s activities and other initiatives related to food security. In 2006, the FAO and the SWAC co-produced a publication on “Rural Environment in West Africa”, a working document which will soon be synthesised and presented as a chapter in the Atlas on Regional Integration in West Africa. The FAO will also be involved in the production of two Atlas chapters on water resources and climate change. The SWAC will continue to work with the FAO and other regional partners with a view to promoting dialogue on policy coherence and natural resources management in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. This partnership established with the FAO and the OECD Directorate responsible for fisheries places particular emphasis on the valorisation of South-South co-operation between regional actors and those of Asian countries.
Contact: giews1@fao.org
Also see: Global Information & Early Warning System: www.fao.org/giews

IFAD - www.ifad.org

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a United Nations specialised structure, was created as an international financing institution in 1977 in order to help reduce poverty among the rural population. IFAD collaborates with the SWAC, in partnership with the FAO and the WFP within the framework of the “Sahel Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative (SARDI)”. IFAD and the SWAC are both members of the Steering Committee of this regional initiative promoting sustainable food security in West Africa. In order to promote agricultural innovation at the regional level, IFAD and the SWAC are co-organising the “Innovations in West and Central Africa Fair”, a regional initiative envisaged for the last quarter of 2007.

UNDP - www.undp.org

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its country offices in Burkina Faso and Mali, has been a partner in the SWAC’s work on cross-border co-operation since 2005. The UNDP offices in these two countries finance the Sikasso-Korhogo-Bobo-Dioulasso pilot operation of the ECOWAS Cross-Border Initiatives Programme (CIP). In 2006, UNDP Niger has become a key partner in the work on cross-border co-operation and food security in the Kano-Katsina-Maradi area (Nigeria-Niger). UNDP Niger is co-financing a cross-border workshop in Katsina (Nigeria). The UNDP Nigeria office is also engaged in this initiative. UNDP will also contribute to the production of the Atlas chapters on health and population. A co-operation framework to deepen UNDP’s and SWAC’s close collaboration is underway.

World Bank - www.worldbank.org

The SWAC participates in the Advisory Committee of the RuralStruc programme, a World Bank initiative on “Agriculture for Development”, aiming to analyse the structural implications of liberalisation on agriculture and rural development. In 2007, the SWAC envisages strengthening its collaboration with the World Bank within the framework of the implementation of the joint initiative on “Transformation of the Rural Environment by 2025”, involving the CILSS, ECOWAS, ROPPA, UEMOA and the Hub.
Contact: Mr. Bruno Losch: blosch@worldbank.org

WFP - www.wfp.org

The World Food Programme (WFP) is involved in SWAC activities related to food security. In 2006, the WFP participated in a mission with the SWAC within the framework of the initiative “Cross-Border Co-operation and Food Security in the Kano – Katsina – Maradi (K²M) zone” between Niger and Nigeria. The joint mission report analyses the impact of cross-border livestock and cereal trade on food security as well as the feasibility of a Niger-Nigerian cross-border cooperation process. The WFP also participates as an active member to the activities of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA).

Contact: Mr. Pierre Lucas : pierre.lucas@wfp.org