First Mission of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory to Liberia from July 29 to 31, 2024

An OSS delegation, led by Mr. Nabil Ben KHATRA, Executive Secretary and including Mrs. Khaoula JAOUI, Climate Department Director and Mr. Aziz BELHAMRA, Project Management Officer, is paying an official visit to Liberia, member of the Organization since April 2024.

The high-level meetings that were held with the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. J. Alexander NUETAH, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gabriel H. Salee, Chairman of the Farmers' House in the Senate, Senator of the River-Cess County, Hon. Wellington G. SMITH, as well as representatives of civil society and the private sector, made it possible to present the OSS, explain its areas of expertise and highlight the initiatives currently being implemented in the region. The OSS representatives also took note of national strategies and priorities, in particular the 2024-2030 National Agricultural Development Plan, defining a vision particularly important for the President of the Republic.

The OSS is already present in Liberia, thanks to the RICOWAS project “Scaling up climate-resilient rice production in West Africa”, financed by the Adaptation Fund, implemented in 13 countries of West Africa and benefiting 13,620 rice farmers on 2,741 hectares, particularly in the counties of Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Bomi, Grand Gedeh and Montserrado. This project aligns perfectly with national climate resilience and food security priorities.

Discussions made it possible to establish a roadmap for the identification of collaboration possibilities in favor of the Liberian population. Specific support for priority topics, such as the use of space technologies to ensure better monitoring and management of natural resources and climate risks, was expressed.

A field visit to Bomi County will conclude the mission, where several plots of the RICOWAS project will be inspected and interactions with the beneficiaries will take place.