The ECOWAS Parliament has called on member states to strengthen the implementation and financing of climate policies as West Africa faces growing environmental, humanitarian and security challenges.
The call was contained in a resolution adopted at the end of the 2026 Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament on Saturday, following a week of discussions on the impact of climate change across the region.
The lawmakers highlighted environmental degradation, population displacement and insecurity as some of the major consequences requiring stronger regional action.
Speaking at the close of the session, Speaker of the Parliament, Honourable Memounatou Ibrahima, said the institution’s credibility would depend on its ability to turn its decisions into practical measures that produce measurable benefits for the people it represents.
She said the Parliament would continue to give attention to key regional priorities, including infrastructure, transport, energy, peace and security, as well as stronger community participation and greater involvement of women in politics.
According to her, recommendations adopted by the Parliament must move beyond discussions and be assessed by their impact on government policies and actions within communities.
Ibrahima noted that West Africa already has several strategies and frameworks designed to address the region’s challenges but said more political commitment and financial resources were needed to put them into effect.
“Our region doesn’t lack strategies nor instruments. What it requires is the funding and political will to implement them and translate them into visible and tangible assets for the populations,” she said.
Presenting the outcome of an earlier seminar, Guinean parliamentarian Bademba Baldé said the recommendations urged member states to strengthen laws and policies covering environmental protection, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and the sustainable management of natural resources.
The Parliament also called for climate resilience, conflict prevention and sustainable resource management to be incorporated into national development plans, public budgets and land use policies.
Member states were further encouraged to improve their systems for collecting climate data, mapping risks and issuing early warnings. The lawmakers said reliable climate information should form part of disaster preparedness and regional security responses.
The resolution also urged countries to mobilise domestic, regional and international funding for climate action while improving their capacity to prepare projects, conduct feasibility studies and develop appropriate financial structures.
Greater efforts were recommended to protect and restore forests, mangroves, degraded lands and coastal ecosystems. The Parliament also encouraged wider use of climate resilient farming, agroforestry and improved water management practices.
The lawmakers called for stronger mechanisms to prevent and resolve disputes arising from competition over land, water and pastoral resources.
They also proposed gradual harmonisation of national laws covering environmental protection, transhumance, natural resource management and the prevention of climate related disasters.
On carbon markets, the Parliament recommended the development of credible regional frameworks built around transparency, integrity and proper verification, while ensuring that communities affected by climate projects receive a fair share of the benefits.
The lawmakers further called on ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to consider establishing a regional fund dedicated to climate resilience and human security.
The ECOWAS Commission is also expected to develop a five year roadmap to speed up implementation of the regional climate strategy.
The proposed roadmap is expected to strengthen regional early warning and rapid response systems for climate, humanitarian and security threats, while improving risk mapping and climate data management across West Africa.
The resolution will be forwarded to the ECOWAS Commission, the Council of Ministers and the Speakers of National Assemblies of member states for further consideration and action.
