On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the conference room on the 22nd floor of the Postel 2001 building, Mr. Jacques Assahoré Konan, Minister of Water and Forests, granted a high-level strategic audience to the scoping mission of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as part of the Water Security and Sanitation Support Project (PASEA).
This meeting is part of a proactive approach aimed at strengthening the foundations of modern, sustainable, and efficient water resource management in Côte d’Ivoire.
Led by distinguished experts, including Mr. Ahmed Eiweida, Senior Investment Specialist and Project Leader, and Mr. Alexander Bakalian, Senior Water and Sanitation Consultant, this mission reflects AIIB’s strong interest and confidence in Côte d’Ivoire’s vision for water security. It also demonstrates a shared commitment to developing innovative and sustainable solutions, fully aligned with the international “Water Compact” initiative.
During this promising session, several high-impact structural projects were presented by Dr. YEO Wonnan Eugène, Director General of Water Resources. These initiatives clearly reflect national priorities in integrated water resources management:
• Restoration of 200,000 hectares of watershed areas to strengthen ecosystem protection and ensure sustainable regeneration of natural resources
• Development of a Master Plan for Water Resources Management in the Cavally River Basin, a strategic planning and governance tool
• Construction of the Kouban hydro-agricultural dam, a key driver for agricultural development and climate resilience
• Rehabilitation of seven (07) multipurpose water retention systems to improve access to water for communities and economic activities
• Establishment of a National Water Quality Laboratory to ensure modern and rigorous monitoring of water resources quality
Estimated at a total cost of USD 231 million (approximately 140.5 billion CFA francs), these projects reflect a strong, structured, and results-oriented ambition, directly benefiting local populations.
In his address, the Minister firmly reiterated his vision of integrated, responsible, and sustainable water resources management, emphasizing watershed protection, ecological balance preservation, and resilience building in the face of climate change challenges. He also highlighted the importance of strong and innovative strategic partnerships, essential for mobilizing funding and accelerating the implementation of key infrastructure projects.