In order to build support for the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), OSES works in close partnership with the countries of the Sahel, regional organizations [including the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the G5 Sahel, etc.], It is also building partnerships with international organizations, including United Nations entities, financial institutions (African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, etc.), the European Union (EU), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and donor countries. Beside bilateral contacts, the following frameworks are used enhance coherence and coordination:

The Contact Group of International Partners for the Sahel: In November 2013, the UN Secretary-General led undertook a high level visit to the Sahel, jointly with the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, the President of the African Development Bank, the President of the World Bank, and the Commissioner for Development of the European Union. The participants in this high level visit pledge to reinforce their support to the Sahel and to work in synergy in the region. In November 2014, on the occasion of the commemoration of the first anniversary of this visit, the Representatives and Envoys for the Sahel of the participating created, in Bamako, Mali, a Contact Group of international partners for the Sahel. The Contact Group of international partners for the Sahel serves as a forum for ensuring common messaging and concerted advocacy efforts among international partners on the Sahel, with the aim to ” support the efforts and initiatives of the countries of the region, to improve living conditions and ensure a better future for the people of the Sahel.” [Add a link to the Joint Communiqué marking the first anniversary of the joint high level visit to the Sahel and the launch of the Ministerial Coordination Platform]

The Ministerial Coordination Platform: The Ministerial Coordination Platform was established during the high level meeting of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, the President of the African Development Bank, the President of the World Bank, and the Commissioner for Development of the European Union, to the Sahel in November 2013. The Ministerial Coordination Platforms, brings together countries of the region and regional and international partners of the Sahel (both bilateral and multilateral), with overall the objective to ensure coherence between the various initiatives and strategies for the Sahel and enhance coordination and synergy of actions in their implementation for better efficacy and efficiency. The Ministerial Coordination Platforms, holds biannual ordinary plenary meetings under the leadership of a Sahel country, and comprises four Thematic Working Groups (Governance, Security, Resilience and Development) also chaired by Sahel countries with the technical support of regional and international partner organizations. The Ministerial Coordination Platform and its Thematic Working Groups are supported by a Technical Secretariat Co-chair by the African Union (through its Mission for Mali and the Sahel – MISAHEL) and the United Nations (through OSES).

The Steering Committee of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS): this is the United Nations internal coordination and oversight mechanism for the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS). The Steering Committee is chaired by the Special of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahel its membership includes Dakar-based regional directors/representatives of UN entities and UN Resident Coordinators in Sahel countries. The Steering Committee provides strategic guidance for the implementation of the UNISS, ensures coherence across the three pillars of the UNISS and between regional and national implementation efforts, and promotes strategic partnerships and engagement with key regional and international stakeholders. The Steering Committee oversees the activities of the three Regional Inter-Agency Working Groups (one on each pillar of the UNISS: Governance, Security and Governance). The Regional Inter-Agency Working Groups are tasked with formulating and monitoring the implementation of regional projects under their respective pillars of the UNISS. They also serve as a platform for information sharing among UN entities participating in the implementation of the UNISS.