The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands, 23 October 2026: The delegation of the Executive Secretariat of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), led by His Excellency Mr Armand Kocou HOUAYE, Executive Secretary of the NBA, held a high-level meeting on the evening of 23 October 2026 with representatives of the Water Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This meeting forms part of a drive to strengthen the partnership between the NBA and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It enabled the two Parties to exchange views on the main challenges facing the Niger Basin, the strategic priorities of the NBA Member States and the prospects for strengthening cooperation in the areas of: (i) integrated water resources management; (ii) the reduction of transboundary hydroclimatic risks; and (iii) the delivery of the structuring investments required to ensure water, energy and food security, as well as climate resilience and the preservation of ecosystems in the Niger Basin.

Mr Martin Gischler, Senior Water Adviser at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his opening and welcoming remarks, extended a warm welcome to the NBA delegation. He also indicated that the NBA is an important partner for Dutch cooperation, given its strategic role in regional cooperation and integration among its nine Member States.

For his part, the Executive Secretary of the NBA expressed the Authority’s appreciation to the Government of the Netherlands for its highly valued support, notably through the SATH-NBA project, which helps to strengthen the Institution’s capacities in the use of satellite data for hydroclimatic and environmental monitoring and for decision support. The Executive Secretary stressed that the sustainable management of shared water resources is a major issue that goes beyond purely technical and environmental considerations, as it also bears on food and energy security, the resilience of populations, regional stability and shared prosperity.

The discussions also addressed the sustainability of the achievements of the SATH-NBA project and the prospects for preparing a possible follow-up phase, in response to the persistent and emerging challenges facing the NBA Member States and the populations of the Niger Basin. This follow-up to the SATH-NBA project could prioritise, among other things: (i) the consolidation of the regional hydroclimatic observation and information system; (ii) the development of operational digital services; (iii) the strengthening of the capacities of national institutions; (iv) improved access for populations to timely information useful for reducing hydroclimatic risks; and (v) the accelerated and effective implementation of structuring water-related investments in the Niger Basin. The mobilisation of additional funding and the pursuit of synergies with other ongoing and planned initiatives were identified as important factors for translating these prospects into reality.

The NBA’s strategic orientations for the period 2026–2030 and the process of updating the Shared Vision for the sustainable development of the Niger Basin were at the heart of the discussions. The update of the Master Plan for Water Development and Management (SDAGE), the preparation of a portfolio of priority structuring investment projects and the examination of the conditions for organising a round table of technical and financial partners were among the avenues of work considered, with a view to better aligning the needs of the Basin, the priorities of the Member States and the available financing opportunities.

Particular attention was paid to the need to translate regional cooperation efforts into tangible shared benefits for populations.
At the close of the discussions, the two Parties identified areas for further consideration, in line with their respective priorities and the opportunities for cooperation. The NBA reaffirmed its readiness to continue the dialogue with the Dutch authorities and partners in order to consolidate achievements, foster the complementarity of interventions and mobilise the resources necessary for the sustainable development of the Niger Basin.

This meeting bears witness to the importance of dialogue between regional institutions and international partners in making the concerted management of water resources a lever for cooperation, resilience, stability and shared prosperity in the Niger Basin.