senegal desertification worsens ahead of cop17, national assembly sounds alarm

• 34% of Senegal's territory is degraded due to desertification.
• 20,000 hectares of forests disappear annually in the country.
• Senegal validated its national strategy for financing climate-related risks and disasters with World Bank support in June.
• COP17 will be held in Ulaan-Bator, Mongolia, from August 17-28, 2026.

Restaurer les terres est un impératif de survie pour notre espace sahélien.

Ousmane Ciss, 2nd Vice-President of the National Assembly's Commission for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, sounded the alarm on the severity of desertification in the country and the Sahel region. According to reports, 34% of Senegal's territory is degraded. This warning comes ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, scheduled for August 2026 in Ulaan-Bator, Mongolia.

The issue is not limited to land degradation; Ciss also revealed that 20,000 hectares of forests disappear annually. He emphasized the need for 'scientific, budgetary, and political solutions' to address this challenge. The parliamentarians have pledged to mobilize sufficient resources to combat desertification.

In June, Senegal validated its national strategy for financing climate-related risks and disasters with the support of the World Bank. This effort is part of the country's resilience-building initiatives. However, Ciss described the situation as a 'continuous geomorphological and pedological aggression.' The implementation of this strategy will be closely watched by lawyers advising clients on environmental projects in Senegal.

The national strategy aims to address the pressing issue of climate-related risks and disasters. With the World Bank's support, Senegal is taking steps towards mitigating these risks. This development is crucial for the country's sustainable development and ecological transition.

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will bring together governments, research organizations, and civil society. Scheduled for August 2026 in Ulaan-Bator, Mongolia, this global event aims to address the pressing issue of desertification. The conference will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices in combating desertification.

The COP17 will be a crucial step towards addressing the challenges posed by desertification. It is essential for countries like Senegal to participate actively in this global effort. By working together, we can find effective solutions to combat desertification and ensure sustainable development.

Lawyers advising clients on environmental projects in Senegal should watch for the implementation of the country's national strategy for financing climate-related risks and disasters, which was validated in June with World Bank support.

Source: Original reporting via APS