High-Level Meeting for the sustainable management of W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Over the past few years, the security situation at the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex has become a major concern as several armed Djihadist groups operating in the region have increased pressure on the property. This situation, allegedly linked to the loss of authority by some countries, particularly Burkina Faso, of a few site components, led to both a major risk of sanctuarisation of the complex by armed groups and an increased loss of biodiversity. In addition, the growing demographic pressure around the property, the difficult access to resources, the proven consequences of climate change, poaching, excessive fishing, and illegal trafficking of resources not only impacts the park's ecosystem, but also leads to a significant degradation of the security situation. Already protected area staff have been forced to abandon the Arly component of the complex. The urgency of the situation calls for a concerted and rapid response from all key stakeholders.  The success of the project depends on the effective involvement of civil society, political decision-makers, technical and financial partners, and all regional actors in the field of conservation, development and security policies.

Objectives 

This activity will aim to support a harmonised transboundary management process for the park by organising a high-level meeting, defining the outlines of a regional emergency plan, and establishing a financing strategy for the park.

Main activities

Several activities will be implemented during this project:

• A technical workshop with all the technical partners working in the region to discuss the impacts of the security crisis in the transboundary management process;
• The development of an advocacy campaign towards policy makers;
• The organisation of a high-level meeting to agree on the orientations and funding mechanisms of a coordinated regional strategy;
• The establishment of a Task Force for the elaboration and finalisation of a regional programme as well as a validated strategy for its sustainable financing.

Partners

The States Parties of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger and UNESCO in close cooperation with organisations supporting the conservation of the protected areas included in the site (African Parks, GIZ, IUCN, WAC)

This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of
the Norwegian government.