In view of the forthcoming meetings of the Technical Working Group (GTT) and the Strategic Orientation Committee (COS) scheduled for 10-15 June 2017 in Brussels, a technical team of about ten members met in Lomé to harmonize the positions of the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions in the implementation of the activities of the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) 10th and 11th EDF.

 It appears from the exchanges that to date, the implementation rate of the RIP 10th EDF is evaluated overall at 47%, while the implementation period has averaged 71%. In mid-April 2017, the commitment and disbursement rates of the RIP 10th EDF were estimated at 87% and 54%, respectively. In light of the discussions, it also appears that the implementation of most of the 10th EDF projects are lagging behind, resulting in significant losses for the region.

 As regards the state of readiness for the implementation of the RIP 11th EDF, the experts noted the progress made in appraising projects with a commitment level of 57%. They also welcomed the creation of the EDF Regional Unit of the ECOWAS Commission.

 At the end of their discussions, the Experts reiterated the importance of the institutional support to the two regional organizations and recommended that the two Commissions finalize the concept notes for the next GTT meeting, the Institutional reforms and the needs of the EDF Regional Cells

 Experts requested also to continue, within the framework of the RIP 11th EDF, support for the institutional capacity-building of the Commissions, in particular the EDF Cells, the ITC / ITC grant for capacity-building of Member States and the two Commissions in trade matters .

 It was therefore recommended that appropriate measures be taken to provide the necessary resources for the effective functioning of the ECOWAS Commission’s EDF Regional Unit. The meeting also welcomed the ongoing strengthening of the human resources capacity of the WAEMU Commission’s EDF Management Unit. Both Commissions pledged to ensure good collaboration between the WAEMU and ECOWAS EDF Cells for the efficient implementation of projects.

 The meeting decided that the two Commissions should draw up an evaluation note of the RIP 11th EDF of West Africa. This note should include an analysis of the contribution of the RIP to the implementation of the region’s policies and common positions on resource reallocation.

 The meeting recalled that, in line with the new governance of the 11th EDF, strategic decisions for the training and implementation of projects are taken jointly within the framework of the COS. In this regard, the EU side and the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions should avoid unilateral decisions and favor dialogue, as well as a participatory and inclusive approach. It was therefore requested to organize proper steering committees of the RIP 10th EDF separate from the meetings of the GTT / COS and the JTS with, in particular, the presence of the technical teams of the Projects.

 In addition, the meeting proposed amendments to the draft agenda of the GTT and COS meetings which will be discussed with the European Union. It recommended holding a meeting with West African experts involved in the RIP 11th EDF as a prelude to the meeting of the COS.

The purpose of this meeting is to bring the experts to the same level of information and to discuss the orientations of the region before the meeting with the European side. The practical arrangements for the preparation of this meeting will be finalized by mutual agreement between the two Commissions.

 In order to ensure better ownership and sustainability of the projects and to strengthen the capacities of the two Commissions, the meeting recommended greater involvement of the two Commissions in the selection of implementing agencies and the activities falling within the mandate of the two Commissions. In this regard, the meeting called for a strengthening of the EDF regional units in order to enable them to contribute to the implementation of projects by the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions.

 Finally, the meeting recommended strengthening the synergy between the two commissions in the training and implementation of projects in order to give greater weight to the positions of the region.

 The Lomé meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Jérôme BOA, Acting Director of External Relations of the ECOWAS Commission and Mr. Assoukou Raymond KRIKPEU, Director of Cooperation of the WAEMU Commission. The ECOWAS Directors for Peacekeeping and Regional Stability, for Agriculture and Rural Development, for Energy and the Technical Assistants attended the meeting. On the UEMOA side, the presence of the Directors of Agriculture, Transport as well as the Coordinator of the EDF Management Unit was noted.