Côte d’Ivoire has become the 10th African nation to join the United Nations Water Convention. This key treaty facilitates cooperation on managing shared water resources across borders.
The West African nation, grappling with a 2.5% annual population rise and increasing water demand for its 30 million citizens, shares eight vital river basins with neighboring countries. These shared water sources, including the Black Volta, Bia, and Comoé rivers, are crucial for Côte d’Ivoire’s future.
“This move is a significant step for the continent,” said water management expert Dr. Aïsha Touré. “With water scarcity a growing concern and climate change impacting water resources, cooperation is vital.”
Joining the 1992 UN Water Convention allows Côte d’Ivoire to work collaboratively with neighboring Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and others on managing these shared water resources. This collaboration is crucial as the country faces threats like urbanization, drought, flooding, and water pollution from agriculture, industry, and illegal mining.
While Côte d’Ivoire is the latest African nation to join the pact, it follows a growing trend of awareness. Chad, Senegal, and Ghana were among the first African signatories, with Nigeria, Namibia, and the Gambia joining in recent years.
