The ECOWAS Parliament has concluded its Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar in Accra with a strong call for concerted regional action to address the growing impact of climate change across West Africa.
The three-day seminar, held under the theme “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region,” brought together parliamentarians and stakeholders to examine the environmental, humanitarian, development and security consequences of climate change.
The final day of the seminar featured a documentary highlighting the effects of climate change across different sectors, followed by country reports from five ECOWAS Member States — Côte d’Ivoire, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Togo and Nigeria.
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The country presentations provided national perspectives on climate-related challenges and responses, enriching discussions on how West African countries can strengthen their collective response to environmental and climate threats.
Delivering her closing remarks, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, H.E. Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, underscored the urgency of the climate challenge confronting the region.
She pointed to intensifying droughts and floods, receding coastlines and the disproportionate impact of climate-related challenges on vulnerable populations.
According to the Speaker, the experiences shared by Member States during the seminar showed that political will, innovation, and regional cooperation could help countries turn climate challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
Several recommendations emerged from the deliberations, including the establishment of a Regional Climate Resilience Fund to support Member States in strengthening their capacity to respond to climate-related challenges.
Participants also called for stronger early-warning systems, greater promotion of agroforestry and increased investment in renewable energy.
The ECOWAS Parliament further emphasised the importance of inclusive climate policies and equitable access to climate finance, particularly for vulnerable populations and communities facing the most severe consequences of climate change.
The Speaker also called for stronger parliamentary oversight of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other regional climate commitments.
She urged Members of Parliament to take the lessons and recommendations from the seminar back to their respective Member States and advocate for their implementation.
“The time has come for action,” H.E. Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima declared.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the ECOWAS Parliament to regional integration, climate resilience and collective security, stressing the importance of sustained cooperation among Member States.
The Speaker assured participants that the seminar’s conclusions and recommendations would be transmitted to the competent authorities and subject to rigorous follow-up.
The Speaker called for sustained regional cooperation to build a peaceful, resilient and prosperous West Africa, in line with the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
She subsequently formally declared the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar closed.
The outcome of the seminar is expected to strengthen discussions on climate resilience and encourage greater regional coordination in addressing the links between climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement and insecurity across West Africa.