Introduction
Luxembourg’s enhanced commitment to security and defence in the Sahel runs in parallel with enhanced cooperation promoting governance and respect for human rights. Since 2018, Luxembourg has been supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to produce a compliance framework for respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in the operations of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Some significant progress has been made in 2019 concerning rules and procedures, particularly through the adoption of the code of conduct and discipline and standardised procedures for the seizure, holding, transfer and release of civilians. As peace and stability are fundamental for socio-economic development and strong institutions and communities, since 2017 Luxembourg has also been supporting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the implementation of a regional human security and community resilience reinforcement project in the Sahel. In order to increase inclusive access to resources and sustainable livelihoods, in 2019 the project was able to create a value chain centred around growing moringa – known as the ‘miracle tree’ – directly benefiting 100 women in the Tillabéry region in Niger.
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As health and well-being is a mainstay of Luxembourg’s Development Cooperation, in 2019 Luxembourg strengthened its relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly in the context of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnership, a regional programme that aims to support countries to produce their national roadmaps. In September 2019, parliamentary representative Marc Angel, UNAIDS Champion for the 90-90-90 treatment targets, made a working visit to Guinea-Bissau and Senegal to raise government awareness of the importance of speeding up national efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, by placing more emphasis on the role of civil society, especially in order to reach vulnerable groups. In the area of health, and in particular combating communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Luxembourg has continued to be committed not only in financial terms but also politically, in western and central Africa.
More than 35 training and technical assistance days were also delivered during the year by the ATTF/House of Training in collaboration with the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Since the beginning of this partnership in 2013, approximately 1,000 employees of the BCEAO and of 144 commercial banks in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) have participated in more than 40 seminars organised on important topics of the day for the WAEMU’s financial sector, particularly the implementation of the Basel II and III agreements, and risks linked to cybercrime.
Priority areas of intervention
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Gender equality
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnerships
Key achievements 2019
- Meeting of the Special Representatives for the Sahel in Luxembourg in May 2020 (EU format)
- Visit by Marc Angel, UNAIDS Champion for the 90-90-90 treatment targets, to Guinea-Bissau and Senegal
- 35 days of training delivered by the ATTF / House of Training in the banking and financial sector of western Africa