The training session for journalists from member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) began this Monday in Cotonou, Benin, under the chairmanship of Mr. Yawossi Batchassi, WAEMU Resident Representative. This meeting, which runs until September 19, aims to explore the Union's policies, governance, economic indicators, and major projects, while strengthening partnerships with the media.

In his opening speech, Mr. Batchassi detailed the strategic ambitions of UEMOA, recalling its fundamental missions and presenting two key documents: the Prospective Vision 2040 and the Strategic Plan 2025-2030, entitled "IMPACT 2030". "In order to effectively pursue the implementation of the Union's objectives, the Prospective Vision of UEMOA for 2040 was developed and aims to make the Union: 'a sustainably integrated, peaceful and prosperous economic and monetary area, open to Africa, with a consolidated strategic position in the world'", he stressed, underlining the objective of ambitious regional integration.

To operationalize this vision, the Commission has developed "IMPACT 2030," which aims to make the institution "an agile institution, a driving force for the deepening of integration and the structural transformation of the WAEMU economies" by 2030. "IMPACT 2030 thus aims to offer sustainable prospects to a young population in search of strong signals, through the acceleration of the structural transformation of the WAEMU economies," added Batchassi. This transformation is based on the development of integrated regional value chains, generating added value in sectors where the Union excels.

The Resident Representative also stressed the importance of popularizing these strategies among the media. "We are taking the opportunity of this session to share with all the media representatives present here the major projects that will be carried out with a view to the structural transformation of the economies of our community area," he declared. He expressed his conviction that "the five days of sharing that we will have will contribute, I am certain, to strengthening our bonds of fraternity and partnership, to serve the causes of socio-economic development of our community area and especially the populations of the Union that we serve on a daily basis, through our actions."