A Sahara and Sahel Observatory delegation conducted a mission to Ouagadougou from May 19-23, 2025 to monitor the implementation of its activities in Burkina Faso.
This visit is part of the OSS ongoing commitment to supporting its member countries in implementing their national priorities for climate change adaptation. Several meetings were held with national partner institutions, civil society representatives, and relevant technical authorities. These discussions provided an opportunity to learn about the progress of ongoing initiatives, adjust roadmaps, and identify new directions aligned with the needs expressed. Two regional projects are currently underway in Burkina Faso with the support of the OSS:
- The AdaptWAP project, aimed at integrating climate change adaptation measures into the collaborative management of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) transboundary complex, implemented at the national level by the National Office of Protected Areas (OFINAP);
- The RICOWAS project, focused on scaling up climate-resilient rice production in West Africa, with national coordination provided by the General Directorate of Sector Studies and Statistics (DGESS) of the Ministry of Agriculture.
As part of AdaptWAP, a meeting was held with the National Agency for the Promotion of Inclusive Financing (ANPFI) to review the "Green Credit" scheme, a strategic lever that helps improve local communities' access to financing to support their resilience. Working sessions were also held with the project implementing civil society organizations, particularly in the W and Arly regions. These meetings provided an opportunity to assess progress made, identify key challenges, and propose necessary adjustments.
In addition, a high-level meeting was held with the National Observatory for Sustainable Development (ONDD), which took end with the agreement on a roadmap to build national capacities in the use of space observation technologies for environmental monitoring and early warning.
The mission also met with the National Designated Authorities (NDAs) for the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund. Discussions provided an opportunity to share progress made on ongoing projects and explore new avenues of collaboration aligned with national priorities. This mission confirms the OSS ongoing commitment to its member countries in mobilizing and effectively implementing resilient development initiatives, particularly in the context of climate financing. Through this support, the OSS contributes to building national capacities, consolidating strategic partnerships, and fostering local ownership of actions to benefit the most vulnerable populations and preserve fragile ecosystems.