Lomé, Togo – November 15, 2025
The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis/Strategic Action Program (TDA/SAP) workshop and training held under the IREE-MONO project conclude with renewed commitment and strengthened cooperation between institutional actors from Togo and Benin. Throughout the sessions, participants emphasized that the TDA/SAP process will rely on sustained stakeholder engagement and a fair distribution of the responsibilities - an approach that resonated strongly with all parties involved.
Supported financially by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and organized by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) in partnership with MBA, IUCN and GWP-WA, the events brought together a wide range of institutions, regional organizations and local communities. This inclusive framework helped build a shared understanding of the major environmental challenges facing the Mono River Basin, while reaffirming the value of participatory methods in shaping collective responses to climate pressures and water resource degradation.
A key outcome of the discussions was the official launch of the TDA/SAP process, seen as a crucial step toward identifying the basin’s pressures, threats and opportunities. By grounding the future Strategic Action Program in robust scientific data and an integrated approach, participants expressed confidence in the project’s ability to guide transboundary management efforts effectively.
The closing session also served as a bridge to the next phase, marked by the inaugural meeting of the Transboundary Committee of the Mono River Basin. Comprising representatives from public institutions, civil society, local authorities and regional partners, the Committee adopted the Terms of Reference, work schedule and coordination mechanisms that will steer the process. They additionally endorsed an operational roadmap to contribute actively to the implementation of the IREE-MONO project.
Across all exchanges, the technical support of the OSS and its partners and the engagement of GEF were widely acknowledged and appreciated, reflecting a shared determination to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Mono Basin and to reinforce its resilience to climate change.