About the Forum

Since 2004, the PRCM has organized the Regional Marine and Coastal Forum (FOMACO), which has become the essential meeting place for all stakeholders involved in the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. Governments, parliamentarians, scientists, civil society, the private sector, and donors come together to debate, decide, and act. The 12th edition takes place in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Overview

FOMACO 2026 marks a turning point for the World Bank's West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA). Over eight years and across nine countries, WACA has helped protect more than 40,800 households from coastal flooding, restore 30,000 hectares of coastal ecosystems, and create 12,800 jobs — more than half going to women and youth.

At this edition of FOMACO, the World Bank will build on that foundation with the official launch of WACA+, the next phase of the program, and a dedicated High-Level Financial Partners Roundtable focused on catalyzing strategic investment in long-term coastal resilience.

Key Themes

  • Ocean health and inclusive blue economy
  • Nature-based solutions for coastal resilience
  • Regional integration and transboundary coastal governance
  • Mobilizing finance for long-term coastal protection
  • Transition from WACA to WACA+

 

 

Follow WACA's participation live at wacaprogram.org — we will be updating our dedicated FOMACO 2026 page with stories, highlights, and announcements throughout the forum.

World Bank Participation

The World Bank WACA team participates in FOMACO 2026 as a founding partner and technical anchor of the regional coastal resilience agenda.

Event

 Date Partners
Gender & Inclusive Blue Economy Regional Workshop April 20–25 (pre-forum) WACA BAR, IUCN, ACECOR, PRCM
Nature-based Solutions Pre-Forum Workshop April 24–25 (pre-forum) IUCN, RVO, GFDRR, World Bank
WACA Expo — Results & Innovations Exhibition April 27–30 (full forum) WACA ResIP 1 countries, IUCN, WAEMU
NbS High-Level Plenary April 28 IUCN, RVO / Dutch partners
High-Level Financial Partners Roundtable April 28 WAEMU, PRCM, 60+ donors & DFIs
GFDRR Technical Deep Dive TBC GFDRR, IUCN
Official Launch of WACA+ April 28 World Bank WACA

Participants

FOMACO 2026 brings together more than 500 delegates from across West and Central Africa, including:

  • Government ministers and senior officials responsible for coastal, environment, and fisheries portfolios
  • Regional institutions including PRCM, ECOWAS, WAEMU, and the African Union Commission
  • International financial institutions and donor agencies
  • Development finance institutions and climate funds
  • Technical and scientific experts in coastal management, nature-based solutions, and blue economy
  • Civil society organizations and community representatives from coastal zones
  • Private sector actors in fisheries, tourism, and marine industries
  • World Bank senior management and WACA country teams