ECOWAS convenes Abuja meeting on climate-induced migration risks

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a three-day regional meeting in Abuja to address the growing challenge of climate-induced migration across West Africa. The gathering, which runs from October 27 to 29, 2025, focuses on enhancing cooperation among member states to manage human mobility triggered by environmental degradation and climate change impacts. Organized by the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, the event serves as a platform under the Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA) to coordinate regional responses.

Representatives from across the bloc, including ECOWAS institutions, development partners, and youth groups, are working to revise existing migration and climate policies to better reflect current environmental realities. A primary objective of the meeting is the development of a comprehensive work plan for the 2027–2028 period. This roadmap is intended to support member states in integrating climate mobility into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans, ensuring that the movement of people is factored into broader environmental and economic strategies.

Beyond policy coordination, participants are exploring the establishment of a regional Green Climate Fund project specifically tailored for migration interventions throughout West Africa. This initiative aims to secure dedicated financing for managing the social and economic consequences of displacement caused by droughts, flooding, and other climate-related factors. By harmonizing regional efforts and seeking new funding mechanisms, ECOWAS seeks to provide more robust assistance to member states as they navigate the complexities of environmental degradation and its direct effect on population movement within the sub-region.