High-level Conference on the Lake Chad Region - Media Advisory

The Governments of Niger, Germany and Norway, together with the United Nations are co-hosting the 3rd High-level Conference on the Lake Chad Region, on 23-24 January 2023 at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre in Niamey, Niger.

Since the last Conference held in Berlin in 2018, the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin has worsened, with increased violence, development deficits, humanitarian needs, and barriers to access to basic social services, production systems and humanitarian support. As a result, 5.3 million people remain displaced in the region. The combined consequences of increasing instability, the COVID-19 pandemic long-term effects, the impact of climate change and economic shocks have exacerbated the humanitarian situation. The riparian countries have reiterated their unwavering commitment to addressing these complex challenges including fighting terrorism and violent extremism. The progress achieved demonstrates that the spiral of forced displacements can be brought to an end. Funding requirements for emergency response in the Lake Chad Basin have increased by US$259 million since 2018. Stabilization funding requirements are estimated at US$1.8 billion.

The two-day conference will bring together governments from the affected countries, international donors and partners, multilateral and international organizations, and civil society actors to renew their commitment to addressing these needs, enabling a quicker return to peace and stability, and building the resilience of over 24 million people affected by the crisis.

WHO:

  • H.E. Mr. Hassoumi Massoudou, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Republic of Niger
  • H.E. Ms. Katja Keul, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Germany
  • H.E. Mr. Erling Rimestad, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
  • Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel
  • Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA)
  • Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Regional Director for Africa

Note to the editors:

Day 1 will feature high-level discussions around trends, progress, and challenges in the Lake Chad Region. They will focus on the humanitarian, stabilization and development priorities and the need to create a safe environment for civilians, people-centered solutions to displacement including a way forward for internally displaced persons, refugees and host communities.

Day 2 will focus on a comprehensive approach to reversing the trend of recruitment by extremist groups, addressing climate change and insecurity and their consequences on food security, and mobilizing new partnerships and impactful investments for the Lake Chad Region.

Accredited members of the press will have access to the conference. You are kindly requested to confirm participation by 18 January 2023, using the online registration system via the website. Further details about the conference are on the website.

There will be a press briefing on Day 1, more information will follow. The conference will be livestreamed on YouTube and the link will be shared before the conference.

For interview requests please contact:

Laura Fultang, OCHA, +227 99 71 71 39
Lamine Bal, UNDP, +1 (917) 576 9235