The former Ivorian Minister of Waters and Forests, Alain Richard Donwahi, was elected Wednesday May 11 president of the COP15 against desertification, while his former ministry is currently the subject of an audit, after revelations on a traffic presumed wood.
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Less known than its "
big sister
" on the climate, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), addresses in particular the issues of land degradation, the advance of deserts or deforestation.
It opened on Monday in Abidjan with a summit where heads of state stressed
the "urgency
" to act.
"What a challenge!"
Alain Richard Donwahi, elected Wednesday by acclamation of the delegates of the COP15 countries, had no opponent in front of him.
“
I am very honored to have been elected President of COP15.
The fight against desertification is difficult but crucial.
What a challenge!
“, he launched in a brief speech after his election.
Alain Richard Donwahi "
is familiar with the major themes of our convention
," said Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.
Alain Richard Donwahi, 59, was until April 20 the Minister of Water and Forests of Côte d'Ivoire since 2017. He was one of the few ministers who left the government during a reshuffle tightening the number of ministries .
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At the end of April, a survey by Jeune Afrique had revealed that the Ministry of Water and Forests had been the subject of an audit by the General State Inspectorate since the end of February.
This audit, confirmed by the government, comes after the dismantling of a vast traffic in precious wood involving, according to Jeune Afrique, members of Alain Richard Donwahi's cabinet.
Last week, Alain Richard Donwahi denounced "
a campaign of denigration
" and a "
grotesque campaign of intoxication
", denying any link with networks of smuggling of wood.
His mandate at the head of COP15 should last two years, until the next summit on the subject.