WEST AFRICAN SCIENTISTS TO MEET IN OUAGADOUGOU FOR A POST COP27 SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso- WASCAL is organizing the Science Symposium 2022 under the theme ‘’ Research, Innovation, and Capacity Building to combat Climate Change and improve livelihoods in West Africa.

The opening ceremony is under the chairmanship of the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of Burkina Faso, Prof. Adjima Thiombiano and will be declared opened by the Chairman of the WASCAL Ministerial Council, Prof. Amadou Keita.

In a statement released by Dr Moumini Savadogo, WASCAL Executive Director, he expresses the merits of holding this symposium.

‘’This symposium is a catalyst of the efforts of West African researchers and scientists in their search for solutions to the adverse effects of Climate Change. It is a unique opportunity for researchers and scientists to share experiences and learn from each other with a view to increasing the resilience of West African communities to the adverse impacts of Climate Change’’. He spoke.

The Symposium is scheduled to take place in Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso, from 6-9 December 2022, and will bring together scientists, policy makers, and key stakeholders in West Africa and beyond.

The overall goal of the WASCAL Science Symposium 2022 is to achieve a self-sustaining WASCAL and position the institution as a regional hub for research, and climate service provider in Africa. Furthermore, the symposium constitutes a forum for taking stock of the achievements and interacting with relevant stakeholders on state of-art- research and future initiative for sustainable development and increased livelihood in West Africa.

The four-day meeting will mostly be an opportunity for scientists and researchers to present the findings of their work in line with WASCAL Research Action Plan preliminary results, topics relating to WASCAL Priority Research Themes, and other areas of interest through oral and poster presentations. These include thermatics in line with Land use Land Cover, Climate smart Agriculture and food security, Climate risk and vulnerability: monitoring, mitigation, and adaptability strategies. Others are water Resources Management, Renewable Energy and Bio economy, Rural-urban and cross border migration and transboundary security, big data management and information technology, and many other pivotal subjects that are key to building up impactful climate and environmental services which will help manage the risks and strengthen the resilience of socio-ecological landscapes.

The WASCAL Science Symposium is set to be an important scientific platform focusing on trends and innovations in combating Climate Change and improving livelihoods.

Participants will include Ministerial council members of the WASCAL countries, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, all WASCAL board members and Scientific Advisory Committee members, Competence Centre Scientists, WASCAL Directorate of Capacity Building and Graduate School Directors, Students and WASCAL alumina, partner institutions, scientists and stakeholders working in any area of climate change and climate services provision, and a range of Civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations from across Africa and beyond.