ECOWAS, Sweden sign MOU on forest transformation

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Sweden have jointly endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on global forest transformation for people and climate in West Africa.
 
Climate project is for the period 2019-2023, aimed at strengthening the implementation of the convergence plan for the sustainable management and utilisation of forest ecosystems in the sub region.
 
The Commission’s President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou signed the MOU on behalf of ECOWAS while the Swedish Charge d’Affairs to ECOWAS, Nigeria and Ghana; Stafan Tillander stood in for Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
 
Speaking, President Brou noted that the joint initiative comes handy in taking concrete steps towards strengthening the cooperation between Sweden and the ECOWAS while working together for the actualisation of set goals.
 
While commending Sweden government for the continuous support, he said that they would build on that with a courtesy visit to Swedish International Development Agency at the opportune time.   
 
Responding, Stafan Tillander, accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission of the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria, Madam Ida Hockerfelt, stressed the importance of working with the Commission on climate change.
 
He added that the Swedish government would like to get on further with the existing collaboration, which would bring about the protection of the environment and utilisation of forest ecosystems in West Africa.
 
According to him, it was billed to be carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed between Sweden and the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

“Sweden and ECOWAS are also expected to cooperate in the implementation of the project while participating in annual consultations with FAO as described in the contribution agreement.”