Fiftieth anniversary of the CILSS: Message from the Executive Secretary of the CILSS

Message from the Executive Secretary of CILSS, Dr. Abdoulaye Mohamadou, on the occasion of the
official launch of the commemorative activities of the fiftieth anniversary
in Bamako, Republic of Mali
Ouagadougou, (Burkina Faso), March 24, 2023
The official launch of the commemorative activities of the fiftieth anniversary of the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) will take place on March 28, 2023, at the Azalai Salam Hotel in Bamako, Mali, under the high patronage of H.E. the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, Dr. Choguel Kokalla MAÏGA, representatives of Member States, chancelleries, and technical and financial partners
Centered around the theme, « CILSS: 50 years of commitment to the service of the Sahelian and West African populations, » this commemoration will take place throughout the year 2023, in the three CILSS sites and in all member states
The CILSS, created on September 12, 1973, following the great droughts that struck the Sahel in the 1970s, was born of the foresight of its founding fathers in a concern for active solidarity among the Sahel countries. It was born of the foresight of its founding fathers, due to concerns about active solidarity between peoples, to cope with climate adversities, now called ‘climate change
The CILSS currently has thirteen member states: Burkina Faso, Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, and Togo. Two other states waiting for membership are Sudan and the Central African Republic. Nowadays, the CILSS operates in the whole ECOWAS area, Mauritania, and Chad, encompassing a total of 17 countries
In its half-century of existence, CILSS has had a strong impact on the technical and scientific landscape of the region by supporting its member states and the populations of the Sahel and West Africa through the implementation of new mechanisms, instruments, and tools that today allow for a better understanding in coping with the sustainable development challenges in the region: drought, adverse effects of climate change, lack of water and energy control, dysfunctional regional agri-food products, food insecurity, population issues, etc
Today, more than ever thanks to the forecasting and early warning services provided by the CILSS, the region can no longer be surprised by extreme climatic events, thus enabling policy makers to anticipate on various crises, including food, nutrition and pastoral crises.
All this has been possible thanks to the unfailing political support of the member states, the technical and financial partners of the two IGOs, ECOWAS and WAEMU.
The celebration of this fiftieth anniversary offers a wonderful opportunity for exchange, sharing, communion, and communication. It aims to highlight the significant achievements and scientific knowledge acquired by the institution, benefiting its member states and their resilient populations
The program of commemorative activities will include several panels, exhibitions, and conferences on the main themes of the CILSS. This will encompass an international round table discussing partnerships, achievements, and perspectives for financing the five-year work plan (2023-2027) and the strategic plan of the institution for 2050
The highlight of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary will be marked by the CILSS Summit of the Heads of State and Government, scheduled for September 12, 2023, in Niamey, Niger, featuring a major conference on Information Systems
With its remarkable achievements and its prominent position in the Sahelian and West African region as a leading institution serving its member states, the CILSS is charting a course for the future, starting with this commemoration. The organization is committed to its 2050 vision, which entails prioritizing the pursuit of food and nutrition security, combating the effects of desertification and climate change, and striving for ecological balance and sustainable development in the Sahel and West Africa

For any questions, please contact:
Abdoul Karim Dankoulou
Head of the Management/Communication Support Unit CILSS Information-Documentation Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Tel: (+226) 75 05 37 77
Email: dankoulou.abdoulkarim@cilss.int
Aguibou Coulibaly
Head of Communication, Information and Documentation Unit (UCID) Sahel Institute (INSAH) Bamako, Mali
Tel: (+223) 20 22 47 06
Mob: (+223) 66 72 06 21
WhatsApp: (+223) 78 74 48 67
Email: aguibou.coulibaly@cilss.int