Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, Commissioner for Humanitarian Development and Social Affairs, has stated that, in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a mechanism has been established to mobilize the necessary investments to address climate financing needs estimated at $294 billion for the region.
Prof. Bako-Arifari delivered the statement on behalf of the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, on Tuesday, 22nd September 2026, during his opening remarks at the ECOWAS Parliament seminar in Accra.
The seminar is being held under the theme: “Climate Change as a Factor of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
He emphasized that the theme is not simply an environmental issue, but “a development issue, a humanitarian issue, a peace and security issue, and ultimately an issue of human survival and regional stability confronting ECOWAS member states.”
Prof. Bako-Arifari noted that West Africa is among the regions most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
“Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, desertification, coastal erosion, floods, and the degradation of forests and farmlands are placing unprecedented pressure on communities and livelihoods,” he said.
Since 2024, the ECOWAS Commission has initiated an ambitious process to establish a regional carbon market platform. He explained:
“In accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a mechanism is intended to mobilize necessary investments to address climate financing needs estimated at $294 billion for the region.”
Against this background, he said the seminar provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and inter-institutional consultations to produce concrete recommendations. These recommendations aim to strengthen climate resilience, human security, and sustainable development in the ECOWAS region — bringing the Parliament to a critical role.
Prof. Bako-Arifari stressed that parliaments are uniquely positioned to translate regional commitments into national action.
“You provide the legislative frameworks, approve national budgets, exercise oversight, and, importantly, serve as a direct bridge between governments and citizens,” he told lawmakers.
He proposed five key areas of action for consideration:
*- Strengthen climate-responsive legislation and oversight:* Regional laws and policies must adequately address environmental protection, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable management of natural resources.
*- Prioritize climate financing:* Climate resilience cannot be achieved through declarations alone. Predictable domestic and regional resources are needed, alongside mobilization of international climate finance and improved access to funding mechanisms.
*- Strengthen early warning and early action:* The region must move from reacting to climate-related disasters to anticipating and preventing them. Early warning systems should be linked to community-level preparedness and rapid response mechanisms.
*- Promote inclusive management of natural resources:* Land, water, forests, and fisheries must be managed transparently and sustainably. Local communities, women, youth, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders must play a meaningful role in decision-making.
*- Place youth and women at the center of climate resilience:* Youths are not merely victims of climate change; they are innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and agents of resilience. Investing in their skills, enterprises, and participation is an investment in the future stability of the region.
He further emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among ECOWAS member states in climate adaptation, disaster management, food and water security, environmental protection, cross-border resource management, and the peaceful management of climate-related mobility. Collaboration among ECOWAS institutions, national governments, parliaments, civil society, traditional authorities, the private sector, academia, and development partners is also essential.
Calling for a new regional compact, Prof. Bako-Arifari argued that the scale and complexity of the challenge require moving from fragmented responses to a comprehensive regional climate-resilience and human-security agenda.
He stressed that security must be redefined — not only as protecting borders and preventing armed conflict, but also as ensuring citizens have access to food, water, livelihoods, a safe environment, and opportunities for a dignified life.
“We must therefore be proactive and invest in resilience before crises occur. We must protect our ecosystems before they become irreversibly degraded. We must create livelihoods before desperation drives communities into displacement. We must address grievances before they become conflict.”