This week, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Giovanie Biha, had a series of meetings with various UNOWAS partners, including the Special Envoys for the Sahel of the Swiss Confederation, Ms. Cédrine Beney, and the Special Envoy for the Sahel of Greece, Mr. Efthymios Georges Costopoulos. She also met with the heads of the UN regional offices operating in the subregion.  

The discussions focused on the political, humanitarian and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel.

During her meeting with Ms. Cédrine Beney, and the one with Mr. Efthymios Georges Costopoulos, Mrs. Biha recalled the need to redouble efforts to better support the countries of the sub-region which are facing multiple challenges. She praised the Swiss Confederation and Greece for their support for the development and peace consolidation in the Sahel, and called for a reinforced partnership between the UN system and the two countries for the implementation of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.

During her meeting with the heads of the UN regional offices, Ms. Biha gave an overview of the political and security situation in the subregion, and commended the work and the achievements of the regional offices. She also stressed the importance of maintaining the mobilization to support the countries in their tireless efforts towards consolidating peace and development in the sub-region.