Dear Partners,

The development of West Africa depends first and foremost on a productive agriculture, a healthy environment and well-managed water resources, but also, and more and more, on the involvement of formal and informal private actors. This development also requires considering the current context of global warming and the worrying security situation that negatively impact the lives of the populations.

Strengthening people's resilience capacity is therefore essential and must be achieved through the promotion of a local and participatory production system for sustainable development. These are, among others, concerns that have justified the adoption by ECOWAS of regional policies in the three complementary strategic sectors of rural development: agriculture, environment and water resources.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources is responsible for the implementation of these policies with the support of technical and financial partners. It provides political and strategic leadership in regional programs formulation and resources mobilization. This leadership is underpinned by a "get it done" strategy of all field activities by civil society operators, local communities themselves and the States.

Major results recorded on ground are, for example, the numerous achievements made by the Agricultural Productivity Program in West Africa and the various dynamics triggered by the other on-going initiatives. Such initiatives are among others, the promotion of products that are strategic for food security such as the "Rice offensive", the promotion of an integrated regional agricultural information system, the governance and development of pastoralism and transhumance in West Africa and the Sahel, biodiversity and forest governance, fisheries and aquaculture, strengthening of the prevention and management of food crises, financing of climate-smart agriculture, etc.

It is therefore with pride that we are launching this Quarterly Information Bulletin "News from the Department", a platform for dialogue and interaction with all our partners. This tool also represents the evidence of our duty to account for our field activities and results. The ECOWAS Commission, through me, reiterates once again its regards, gratitude and frank collaboration.

This first issue of the Department's integrated communication gives you an overview of the political orientations of the Heads of State and Government for the development of the rural sector in the region. You will also find some achievements and/or ongoing actions.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020 to all!

Sékou Sangaré,

Commissioner Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources

ECOWAS Commission