OSS has organized two training sessions on Remote Sensing (24-28 November 2014) and geographical information systems (1-5 December 2014) as part of the activities of the “capacity building” component of the REPSAHEL project. The training sessions included fourteen officials from national institutions of the REPSAHEL seven concerned countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania and Chad).
The REPSAHEL project « Improving the Sahelian populations’ resilience to environmental changes” is funded by SDC (Switzerland) for duration of 3 years and implemented by OSS.
The training sessions were led by two experts of the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), Mrs. Rachida Salah and Mr. Abderrazik CHIKH.
« Water Security and Resilient Development” side event at COP20
OSS, in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership (GWP), the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) have organized on 10 December 2014 a side-event in the margin of the international negotiations of the COP20 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1-14 December 2014) under the theme “Africa & Caribbean South-South knowledge exchange on Water Security & Climate Resilient Development”.
The conference was also an opportunity for OSS to present a set of innovative agricultural techniques, introduced within the SASS IIII project, for an effective and resilient management of soil and water resources.
OSS declaration in front High Level Segment of COP20
OSS participation at COP20
REPSAHEL Scientific and Social Committee meets in Tunis
The REPSAHEL scientific and social committee has met in Tunis on 15 December 2014 to discuss with scientists and researchers the activities conducted, results obtained and future orientations of the REPSAHEL project.
The meeting was structured around:
- Presentations on and discussion of the project’s main activities conducted in the countries concerned with a focus on the difficulties faced;
- Reflection on the activities to be undertaken after the end of the project and propositions for new orientations and scientific and technical approaches for future projects;
- Examination of an action plan proposed for a next phase of the REPSAHEL project
The REPSAHEL project is funded by SDC (Switzerland) for duration of 3 years and is to end in 2015.
Photo from the SSC meeting in Bamako (April 2014)
« Environment and Sustainable Development » Week
OSS has organized a series of events from 15 to 19 December 2014 in Tunis on sustainable water resources management in the Sahel.
The week started with the meeting of the Social and Scientific Committee (SSC) of the REPSAHEL project (“Improving the Sahelian populations’ resilience to environmental changes”), a project funded by SDC Switzerland and implemented by OSS in support to seven Sahel countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Chad.
The SSC meeting was followed by a regional workshop held on 16-17 December 2014 and which brought together twelve parliamentarians of the REPSAHEL concerned countries under the theme of “integrating environmental knowledge in development policies”. This meeting aimed to strengthen the consideration of environmental monitoring tools and knowledge in national policies.
Another regional workshop focusing on the Sahel region is also currently taking place in Tunis (18-19 December 2014) and aims to prepare for the 3rd Scientific Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The workshop brings together about twenty experts who will shed a light on the major scientific and technical challenges related to land degradation and restoration in the Sahel region.
The sahelian vision will be also brought to the UNCCD third international scientific conference, to take place in Cancun (Mexico) and of which OSS is a member of the organizing committee.
OSS declaration at CoP20 to the UNFCCC
OSS executive Secretary, Mr. Khatim Kherraz, delivered on 4 December 2014 a declaration on the name of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory in front of the High Level Segment of the CoP 20 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Click on this link to listen to OSS declaration at COP20
Go further: OSS participation at COP20
Lima Call For Climate Action
Held in Lima, the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) was concluded by an agreement-- Lima Call for Climate Action—that paves the way for a new universal regime on climate change adaptation and mitigation, to be finalized at COP 21 to be held in Paris in 2015.