On May 15, 2023, the IOFS Director General H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet delivered a keynote address to open the expert meeting on Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for Niger (IWRMP) in Niamey, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture of Niger and the High Authority of WAQF in Niger. The Director General noted the gathering as a significant milestone to deliberate upon the key strategies and components of an integrated Water Resources Management Plan, tailored specifically for Niger.
“Niger, a country of immense potential and rich natural resources, has been chosen as the focal point of our collective efforts. Its unique geographical and environmental context, combined with its agricultural significance, makes it the right pilot country for the development of these comprehensive plans,” HE Prof. Yerlan Baidaulet emphasized in his address to the participants of the meeting.
The goal of the technical meeting is to launch in-depth discussions on the water resources situation in Niger, share expertise, and collectively shape the trajectory of the integrated Water Resources Management Plan. The sides convened to work on joint assessment, capacity building, technical assistance, baseline assessment, and monitoring and evaluation systems within the IWRMP framework.
The IOFS initiative to develop an “Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Sahel Region” has been supported by the International Network for Water and Ecosystems in Arid Regions (INWRDAM), the Kazakhstan Space Agency “Gharysh Sapary”, the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), “Water Hub” within the Kazakh National Agrarian Scientific and Research University, and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), and the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation of Niger.
The collaboration between IOFS and the esteemed Government of Niger and partners exemplifies a collective commitment to tackling the challenges faced by the Sahel region in water resources management.
To consolidate the strategic partnership and provide a follow up to the existing MoU, a Letter of Intent was signed by the above mentioned parties on the development of the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan.
The combined efforts will lay the foundation for an integrated Water Resources Management Plan that will set a precedent for sustainable development not only in Niger, but may serve as an incentive to other nations facing similar challenges in the OIC Geography.
