The first edition of the West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO) was held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on September 24-25, 2026. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the importance of water resources in the region. The forum was opened by Ivoirian Prime Minister Beugré Mambé, who welcomed Kabiné Komara, former Prime Minister of Guinea. Mambé received Komara at his office for a friendly audience, highlighting the significance of Komara's presence.
The forum was co-organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS). Senegal, which is also co-organizing the upcoming United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi with the United Arab Emirates, played a key role in the event. The forum was chaired by Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegalese Minister of Hydraulics and President of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW).
During the forum, Kabiné Komara was honored for his significant contributions to shared water management in the sub-region. He was awarded a trophy by the conference president, who commended him for his two major books on hydrodiplomacy and biodiversity protection in West Africa. Komara's books, "L'eau : enjeu vital des relations internationales" and "Guinée, notre biodiversité en danger," have become references in the field.
The forum brought together experts to discuss ways to leverage water resources in the sub-region for development and cooperation. Komara presided over a panel on renovating and promoting hydrodiplomacy to facilitate reforms and mobilize financing. He emphasized the central role of Guinea, which drains nearly 120 billion cubic meters of water annually towards neighboring countries.
Komara stressed the need to protect the Fouta-Djalon massif, a water tower in the sub-region, as a major concern for the regional water agenda. The forum adopted a program and ambitious commitments, which will form part of the common position that African states will present at the United Nations in December.
The conference declaration included a major appeal to safeguard the Fouta-Djalon massif, described as the "water tower of West Africa." The declaration called for urgent action to preserve the ecosystem and mobilize climate and financial support to reverse its degradation.
Guinea is expected to capitalize on the support to accelerate the inscription of the Fouta-Djalon massif on the UNESCO World Heritage list and affirm its ecological responsibility in West Africa. Kabiné Komara's recognition at the forum highlights his contributions to water management and cooperation in the region.
Key points
- Kabiné Komara was honored for his contributions to shared water management in West Africa.
- The West Africa Regional Water Forum adopted a program and commitments to leverage water resources for development and cooperation.
- The Fouta-Djalon massif was recognized as a water tower in West Africa, with an urgent appeal to preserve its ecosystem.
