The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and the Global Mechanism (GM) of the UNCCD are jointly organizing an international workshop on technology transfer between Sahel and Maghreb countries and local stakeholders, in the context of the GM’s South-to-South Cooperation programme, SolArid, from 25-26 January in Tunis, Tunisia. The workshop will seek to capitalize on existing initiatives and lessons learned at sub-regional and national levels, in order to upscale potential technology transfer initiatives to combat desertification between North and West Africa, and within the sub-regions themselves. The workshop will cover: the strategic thrusts and priority actions for combating desertification and enhancing natural resource management and rural development; opportunities for sub-regional collaboration based on an analysis of the stakeholders’ strengths and requirements in terms of knowledge and/or technical skills; capacity-building on resource mobilization for technology transfer; and identification of potential partners to support the identified initiatives. The event will bring together representatives of sub-regional institutions including the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), specialized organizations such as the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control (CILSS), and representatives from national ministries and development agencies.  

dates: 25-26 January 2012   location: Tunis, Tunisia   contact: Youssef Brahimi   phone: +39 06 5459 2584   e-mail: y.brahimi@global-mechanism.org   www: http://global-mechanism.org/en/events/regional-workshop-on-technology-transfer-and-south-south-cooperation