In accordance with its mandate, UNOWA promotes information-sharing and interlinkages among United Nations entities operating in West Africa on cross-border and regional threats to peace and security.
In order to enhance capability within West Africa towards a harmonized sub regional approach to peace and security, UNOWA holds regular meetings with heads of UN regional agencies in the sub region as well as consultations with the various regional organizations belonging or not to the UN system. Taking into account their respective mandates, these meetings provide an opportunity for United Nations entities in the region to identify ways of addressing threats posed by cross-border organized crime and drug trafficking, human trafficking, climate change, terrorist activities and food insecurity with a focus on the Sahel.
The Special Representative for West Africa (SRSG) is in permanent contact with the other heads of UN Peace missions in the sub region: UNOCI in Côte d’Ivoire, UNMIL in Liberia, UNIPSIL in Sierra Leone, UNIOGBIS in Guinea Bissau*. He facilitates intermission cooperation by leading the high level meetings with heads of peace missions, UN Agencies and Regional Directors; by holding regular meetings of UN Force Commanders and Military Advisers at the military level; as well as regular meetings at the expert level (human rights, humanitarian, security sector, economic governance and gender issues).
* United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) - United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) - UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) - UNIPSIL (United Nations Integrated Mission in Sierra Leone)