The Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils of Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA) concluded its 11th annual meeting in Sipopo, Equatorial Guinea, focused on the environmental and social challenges affecting both regions. With an agenda centered on desertification and women’s empowerment, the event brought together parliamentarians from various countries, aiming to strengthen cooperation in addressing these global issues.
Antonio Michá Ondo Angué, an Equatorial Guinean expert in integration, presented a reforestation project for the Sahara Desert, proposing the planting of trees along an 8,000 km stretch. The project has a dual focus: restoring the environment and improving the living conditions of affected communities. Participants highlighted the relevance of such initiatives, which are crucial in addressing the devastating effects of climate change in the region.
In parallel, female parliamentarians, led by Jehad Al-Fadhel and Lindiwe Dlamini, gathered to discuss the role of women in conflict resolution. Senator Purificación Buari Lasaquero from Equatorial Guinea emphasized the importance of including women in decision-making, especially in times of crisis, noting their capacity to lead peace processes and sustainable development.
The event concluded with a joint declaration outlining clear commitments to address desertification and promote gender equality in politics. The President of the Senate of Equatorial Guinea, Teresa Efua Asangono, stressed the importance of translating the ideas discussed into the action plans of each government, emphasizing the urgency of strengthening interparliamentary cooperation.
ASSECAA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing concerted solutions to tackle shared challenges, prioritizing female empowerment and environmental sustainability as fundamental pillars for the future development of Africa and the Arab world.