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International Partnerships
News announcement25 February 2020Directorate-General for International Partnerships

G5 Sahel Summit: Commissioner Urpilainen underlines importance of continued partnership with Sahel region

Jutta Urpilainen during a visit to the CFIP (Vocational Training and Integration Center) in Mauritania.
European Union

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen attended the G5 Sahel Summit in Mauritania today, highlighting the EU’s sustained commitment to the stabilisation and recovery of the region.

Commissioner Urpilainen attended the G5 Heads of State Summit and the General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance, capitalising on the international political momentum currently behind stabilisation efforts in the Sahel region.

In an official ceremony demonstrating the EU’s concrete action in the region, Commissioner Urpilainen handed over seven armoured vehicles destined to the Mauritanian battalion of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. In total, the EU has delivered 46 armoured vehicles to the G5 Joint Force battalions in its effort to support the stabilisation of the Sahel region.

During her visit, the Commissioner also had a fruitful meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and other G5 Sahel Heads of State.

Welcoming the efforts of the Mauritanian G5 Presidency, a new roadmap “Youth and Hope” and a newly adopted integrated strategic framework for security and development, the Commissioner said: “We stand together against the huge challenges to the stability of the Sahel and we are resolutely working to ensure peace and development for the people of the region”.

Furthermore, Commissioner Urpilainen signed a financing agreement for a €24 million programme dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in Mauritania.

Finally, considering youth as a top priority to drive sustainable development, Commissioner Urpilainen visited a vocational education and training centre funded by the EU in Nouakchott. She had the chance to talk to young entrepreneurs eager to find suitable professions and become agents of change in their country.

Background information

G5 Sahel

The G5 Sahel is an institutional framework for coordination of regional cooperation in development policies and security matters in West Africa. It was created on 16 February 2014 in Nouakchott, at a summit of five Sahel countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. The purpose of the G5 Sahel is to coordinate and combine the efforts of its member countries for the security and development of the region. It is permanently seated in Mauritania. For more information on the G5 Sahel, click here.

The EU fully supports the G5 Sahel. Since 2014, the EU has allocated EUR 4.5 billion to the region. Some examples of concrete support:

  • EUR 1.9 billion implemented through budget support, contributing directly to the G5 Sahel countries national budgets.
  • In crisis areas, the EU has delivered basic social services directly to 200 000 people, created 10,000 jobs and supported 90,000 people to develop income-generating activities.

Mauritania

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated EUR 160 million under the 11th European Development Fund to Mauritania, notably in the area of food security and sustainable agriculture; rule of law and the health sector reform.

Burkina Faso

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated EUR 628 million under the 11th European Development Fund to Burkina Faso, notably in the area of governance; health; food security, sustainable agriculture, and water; sustainable energy; and support to civil society.

Chad

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated EUR 542 million under the 11th European development Fund for Chad, to support food and nutrition security and rural development; the sustainable management of natural resources; the consolidation of the rule of law and the civil society.

Mali

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated EUR 665 million under the 11th European Development Fund to Mali, notably in the areas of peace, consolidation and State reform, rural development and food security as well as education, infrastructure and support to civil society.

Niger

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated EUR 716 million under the 11th European Development Fund to Niger, notably in the areas of food security nutrition and resilience; reinforcing state capacities to implement social policies; security, governance and peace consolidation; road access to areas affected by insecurity and at risk of conflict; and support to civil society.

More information

  • To find out more about the EU’s cooperation with Mauritania, click here
  • To find out more about the EU’s cooperation with Burkina Faso, click here
  • To find out more about the EU’s cooperation with Chad, click here
  • To find out more about the EU’s cooperation with Mali, click here
  • To find out more about the EU’s cooperation with Niger, click here

Details

Publication date
25 February 2020
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships