Ivory Coast has recently joined the United Nations Water Convention, becoming the 10th African nation to do so. This move underscores its commitment to cooperative water management in the face of growing water stress and climate change impacts.
Details of the Accession
- Ivory Coast’s Status: Ivory Coast is now the 53rd Party to the 1992 UN Water Convention, also known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.
- Purpose of Joining: The country seeks to enhance cross-border water management and address the challenges posed by climate change on its shared water resources.
African Nations in Accession Process
In 2024, at least three additional African nations—Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—are in the final stages of joining the convention.
Historical Context
- Initial Scope: The Convention was initially a regional framework for the pan-European region.
- Global Expansion: Since its expansion to all UN Member States in 2016, several African countries have acceded, including Chad, Senegal, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Namibia, and The Gambia.
Transboundary River Basins
Ivory Coast shares eight transboundary river basins with six neighboring countries:
- Rivers: Black Volta, Bia, Tanoe, Comoe, Niger, Sassandra, Cavally, Nuon
- Neighboring Countries: Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone
Vulnerability and Challenges
- Niger Basin: The Niger River basin, Africa’s third-longest river, is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with projections indicating a significant decrease in river flows.
- Water Insecurity: Ivory Coast is categorized as the 40th “water insecure country in Africa,” facing challenges such as urbanization, climate change, and pollution.
Importance of the Water Convention
- Cooperation Requirements: The Convention mandates cooperation for the sustainable management of transboundary waters, requiring parties to prevent, control, and reduce negative impacts.
- Groundwater Management: It also facilitates cooperation on groundwater, crucial for climate change adaptation.
Recent Developments
- Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe: These countries are advancing their accession to the Water Convention, with Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Zimbabwe making significant progress.
- Upcoming Meeting: The 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention is scheduled to be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 23-25 October 2024.
Statements and Impacts
- UN and Regional Officials: Statements from UN officials and regional leaders highlight the significance of Ivory Coast’s accession for water cooperation, peace, and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The accession contributes to SDG 6.5, which aims to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and promote transboundary cooperation by 2030.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Which African nation recently became the 10th to join the UN Water Convention?
- A) Nigeria
- B) Ghana
- C) Ivory Coast
- D) Cameroon
- How many transboundary river basins does Ivory Coast share with its neighbors?
- A) Six
- B) Seven
- C) Eight
- D) Nine
- Which river basin in Africa is expected to experience the largest decrease in river flows due to climate change?
- A) Nile
- B) Congo
- C) Niger
- D) Zambezi
- What percentage of Sierra Leone’s transboundary basin area is covered by operational arrangements?
- A) 25%
- B) 33%
- C) 50%
- D) 7%
- When and where will the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the UN Water Convention be held?
- A) September 2024, Nairobi
- B) October 2024, Ljubljana
- C) November 2024, Vienna
- D) January 2025, New York