Grand-Bassam Hosts Regional Training on Sanitation and Climate
The historic city of Grand-Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire is currently hosting a major regional training focused on the climate–sanitation nexus. Since Tuesday, this strategic initiative has brought together around thirty experts and trainers from ten African countries. Co-organized by the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the training aims to build a pool of continental expertise capable of designing and deploying climate-smart sanitation solutions for sustainable development.
The official opening ceremony was graced by the presence of the Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation, and Public Hygiene in Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Fofana Bouaké, who described the initiative as a "vital imperative" for the populations of West Africa. He highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s commitments, including the adoption of the Sanitation Code and the innovative use of climate finance mechanisms such as carbon markets.
Mr. Gosso François Olivier, Executive Director of AfWASA, emphasized the urgency of establishing a pan-African network of trainers, who are the agents of change, equipped to promote inclusive and climate-resilient sanitation practices across the continent. In turn, Ms. Katerina Syngellakis, GGGI’s Africa Director, reaffirmed the importance of aligning national sanitation strategies with climate priorities, a prerequisite for unlocking sustainable international financing.
The ceremony opened with an address by the representative of the Mayor of Grand-Bassam, who, on behalf of Mr. Jean-Louis Moulot, extended to all participants a warm and heartfelt welcome to Grand-Bassam, "a UNESCO World Heritage city".
Supported by the Gates Foundation, this high-level session comes at a time of global climate emergency. It reflects the growing determination of African stakeholders to position the sanitation sector as a strategic lever for resilience, innovation, and sustainable transformation.
