Theme: Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community.
N’Djamena, 4 September 2024 – The 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF), organised by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is set to take place in Maiduguri, Nigeria, from October 16th – 18th 2024. Hosted by the Yobe State Government, Federal Republic of Nigeria, with venue in the University campus of Maiduguri, the overall objective of the 5th LCBGF is to, through the Governors offices, facilitate dialogue, coordination, and cross-border cooperation between the eight territories and offer opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement with the Governors to consolidate gains and advance regional cooperation on key priority areas of the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RS-SRR) of the Boko Haram affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
The forum occurs amidst shifting conflict patterns and emerging challenges that have resulted in widespread displacement, damage to the social fabric, interrupted public services, and weakened institutional capacities across the affected countries – Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.
Over time the LCB Governors Forum has evolved to become arguably the most important and a veritable political platform for actors operating in the region.
“The Forum provides space for humanitarian, development and peace actors as well as donors and security actors to engage directly to define concrete and actionable plans for stabilizing the region and guiding efforts to support recovery and long-term development” said Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary, LCBC and Head of Mission, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). “At the LCBC, we believe that together, we can adequately respond to the significant challenges in the basin and capitalise the opportunities the basin presents to bring lasting peace and stability in our region” he added.
“The Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum is an essential platform for promoting sustainable regional peace and security in the region,” said Ambassador Adeoye Bankole, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission. The African Union encourages further collaboration among member states and international partners to support the forum’s efforts towards consolidating peace in the region and creating better opportunities for the people of the Lake Chad Basin,” he added.
Now in its 4th edition and its 4th host country, the upcoming forum, themed “New Opportunities for Peace in a Shifting Security Context,” aims to improve understanding of emerging security trends in the region and their implications to ongoing efforts to restore state authority. It also seeks to explore the future of the RS-SRR, which is now in its final year of implementation and find ways to scale up and forge partnerships to address the plight of forcibly displaced people, including refugees and internally displaced persons.
“The Regional Stabilisation Facility, born out of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, has been instrumental in implementing the RS-SRR. Through collaborative efforts, we have been able to co-create practical and enduring solutions that have enabled nearly half a million internally displaced persons to return to their communities and significantly enhance their quality of life,” said Njoya Tikum, Director, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa. “UNDP will continue to support the LCBC in creating a brighter future for the Lake Chad Basin—a future where security is restored, communities are rebuilt, and opportunities abound,” he added.
“As the host Governor of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, I am deeply honored to reaffirm Yobe State’s total commitment to the success of this significant regional event. His Excellency Hon Mai Mala Buni CON, Executive Governor, Yobe State. The Forum represents a great opportunity for us to advance cooperation and sustainable development across the Lake Chad Basin region, and Yobe State is fully prepared to ensure its success. Yobe State stands ready to welcome our esteemed guests and to contribute meaningfully to the future of the Lake Chad Basin,” the Governor added.
The 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will commence with a Pre-Forum from the 14th – 15th of October 2024 to help enhance inclusivity, promote knowledge exchange on partnerships, innovative practices and tools that contribute to the effectiveness of interventions in the region. It will consist of multiple events running simultaneously including a CSO Forum, a regional innovation workshop for …… and meeting of LCB traditional Rulers on social cohesion and role of traditional rulers.[MA1]
For more information and media enquiries, contact:
- Fajong Joseph Lereh, Communication Specialist, RS-SRR, Lake Chad Basin Commission | j.fajong@cblt.org
- Amalachukwu Ibeneme, Communications Analyst, UNDP Nigeria | amalachukwu.ibeneme@undp.org
- Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu, Regional Communications Analyst, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa | ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org
Notes for Editors:
About the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) was established on 22 May 1964 with a focus on managing Lake Chad and its shared water resources, preserving the ecosystems and promoting regional integration, peace, security, and development in the Lake Chad Region.
Learn more at www.cblt.org/
About the African Union Commission
The African Union Commission (AUC) is the AU’s secretariat and undertakes the day-to-day activities of the Union. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Some of its functions include representing the AU and defending its interests under the guidance of and as mandated by the Assembly and the Executive Council and acting as the custodian of the AU Constitutive Act and all other OAU/AU legal instruments.
Learn more at www. https://au.int/en/commission
About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
Learn more at www.undp.org/africa
Follow the conversation @lcbc_cblt @UNDPWACA
Hashtag: #GovernorsForum2024