SOS Sahel Partnership with Monaco

At the instigation of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Prince’s Government has significantly increased its efforts within the area of Official Development Assistance.

The Office of International Cooperation and Development, having made the fight against poverty a priority area for intervention, chiefly carries out such action in two regions of the world: the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2008, over 85 projects have been scheduled in 20 partner countries.

In this respect, a partnership was set up in 2006 with the NGO SOS SAHEL to undertake joint

programmes to enable access to drinking water and sanitation in Mali and Burkina Faso.

For 30 years, SOS SAHEL has pursued the same goals as those of the Monegasque Cooperation: to combat desertification and protect the environment, to enable as many individuals as possible not only to survive but to enjoy a reasonable quality of life, to facilitate access to drinking water and healthcare.

For the 10th special session of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council which is being held in the Principality from 19th to 22nd February 2008, the Office of International Cooperation and Development was keen, through the admirable work carried out by SOS SAHEL and the photographer Roberto Neumiller, to place the spotlight on the Sahelian populations that live in a delicate balance with nature and who today in the face of environmental disorders such as climate change and the encroachment of the desert are one of the most threatened people.

From 19th February to 2nd March 2008, the Larvotto Esplanade is hosting the exhibition “SAHEL, Man confronted with the Desert”, in addition to photographs from the Office of International Cooperation and Development so as to raise public awareness of its action throughout the world.