ECOWAS, UNECA leaders collaborate to foster peace, stability, development in West Africa

In a significant diplomatic encounter, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, and His Excellency Claver GATETE, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), engaged in a productive discussion on partnership opportunities to enhance collaboration between ECOWAS and UNECA.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of their participation in the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council from the African Union in Accra.

The purpose of this high-level meeting, which was also attended by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security of ECOWAS, centered around exchanging views and exploring avenues for partnership to strengthen collaboration between ECOWAS and UNECA. The primary objective was to promote peace, stability, security, and development in the West African region.

Both leaders expressed their commitment to fostering a closer working relationship between ECOWAS and UNECA, recognizing the mutual benefits that can be achieved through joint efforts. The discussion focused on strategies to address common challenges and leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to promote sustainable development and regional integration in West Africa.

During the meeting, various areas of cooperation were identified, including the promotion of peace and conflict resolution, the advancement of economic and social development, and the implementation of initiatives to enhance regional security. The leaders emphasized the importance of coordination and synergy between ECOWAS and UNECA to maximize the impact of their respective efforts.

Dr. TOURAY and Mr. GATETE underscored the significance of collaboration in addressing the complex and interconnected issues facing the region, such as terrorism, transnational crime, and the socio-economic disparities. They highlighted the need for joint initiatives that promote inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development, ultimately contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of West Africa.

Furthermore, the leaders discussed the importance of mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships with international stakeholders to support the implementation of joint programs and projects. They emphasized the role of multilateral cooperation in addressing the region’s development challenges and expressed their commitment to working closely with other regional and international organizations to achieve common goals.

The exchange of views between Chairman TOURAY and Deputy Secretary-General GATETE demonstrated a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous West Africa. The meeting served as a platform to reinforce the commitment of ECOWAS and UNECA to collaborative efforts and highlighted the potential for synergy and collective action in addressing the region’s pressing issues.

As both organizations continue to work together, their partnership is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of peace, stability, security, and development in West Africa, ultimately benefiting the people and communities of the region.