LOCAL CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAM: UEMOA COMMISSION, COUNCIL OF TERRITORIAL AUTHORITIES OF UEMOA, SWISS COOPERATION, FRENCH COOPERATION AND INTER CROSS-BORDER AUTHORITIES (C3SAHEL, UTCTE-SKBO, RMBFS, COASTAL BAND BENIN-TOGO, ESCO-VOLTA NOIRE, DENDI-GANDA SPACE) In sub-Saharan Africa, Local Authorities located in cross-border areas are the most marginalized in terms of access to basic social services and security. Cross-border areas are characterized by: Poor access to basic social services (water, health, education) High mobility fuelled by local cross-border trade with a regional dimension centered on local markets and using networks of local players. They are on the front line in areas of tension (mining areas, transhumance areas, areas of land disputes). They do not have the adequate institutional, political and logistical means to assume their role Faced with social, security and economic challenges. Faced with transnational challenges, the Commission and the Council of Territorial Communities of WAEMU, with the support of Swiss Cooperation, have decided to make decentralized cross-border cooperation a springboard with a view to stimulating local economic development and a lever for promoting peace and integration, by placing populations and their elected representatives at the heart of development issues. Today, the sub-regional context in Sub-Saharan Africa is very marked by a security crisis which is deteriorating from year to year, with the consequence of the significant flows of internally displaced persons, the considerable reduction in the supply of basic social services (closure schools, health centers, etc.). In this context, the development of cross-border areas with particular emphasis on youth employment, constitutes a solution approach to prevent insecurity and preserve peace. The session “Carrying out cross-border development projects or projects with a cross-border impact with Local Authorities: The Integrated Cross-border Development Plan (SATI)” will provide a space for exchanging experiences between the various actors intervening in cross-border areas. The exchanges of this session will be introduced by:

1. A communication that presents the Integrated Cross-Border Development Plans, an innovative tool that makes it possible to identify priority projects, to advocate for the mobilization of resources, to ensure concerted, harmonious and integrated development in cross-border areas.
2. Then, actors from cross-border areas will share their experiences in the implementation of development projects. These are the cross-border inter-community called C3Sahel between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and the cross-border inter-community of the Sikasso-Korhogo-Bobo Dioulasso area between Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali. This will be followed by discussions with participants around SATI and initiatives on cross-border cooperation, concerted management of natural resources in cross-border areas, projects that contribute to social cohesion, peace and development in cross-border areas.

The session will be conducted in such a way as to:

• Capitalize on experiences and initiatives on cross-border cooperation between local authorities and the territorial development of cross-border areas,
• Formulate recommendations, suggestions and requests to be addressed to international, sub-regional organizations, States and local authorities.

The resolutions and recommendations expected from this session will contribute to improving the implementation of the Local Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. They will be transferred to the political sessions and called upon to appear in the final declaration of the Summit.