Ivory Coast Joins UN Water Convention as 10th African Member

July 19, 2024

With its recent membership, Ivory Coast became the 10th country in Africa to sign the UN Water Convention. This accession is very important because it makes it easier for everyone to work together to manage water resources better, which is especially important now that water shortages and the effects of climate change are getting worse in the area.

Background of the UN Water Convention

Its full name is the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. The UN Water Convention was created in 1992 mainly for the European area. In 2016, its goals were made more global so that all UN Member States could join and support the long-term management of shared water supplies.

Ivory Coast’s Water Resource Challenges

Ivory Coast shares eight transboundary river basins with its six neighboring countries. These areas have a lot of water stress. Climate change is making important rivers, like the Niger, very vulnerable, and their flows are expected to drop by a lot.

Importance of Cooperative Water Management

Countries must work together to make sure that transboundary waters are used in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. Because Ivory Coast is very vulnerable to climate change and doesn’t have a lot of water, joining the agreement should make it easier for countries in the region to work together on water management.

More About UN Water Convention

The “Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes,” as the UN Water Convention is legally known, was signed in 1992. It encourages sustainable control of water across borders. It has only been approved by 47 countries, mostly in Europe. The Convention stresses the fair and sensible use of shared water supplies. It motivates people to be involved in managing water. The 2016 change lets states that aren’t UN members join. UNECE is in charge of the staff. It also has rules for keeping the water clean and stopping waste.

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