An expert group meeting for the establishment of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council in West Africa (ECOSOCC-WA) is scheduled to take place between June 12 and 13, 2024, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Participants at the two-day meeting are expected to review and strengthen the draft foundational framework document that resulted from two previous consultative meetings held ahead of this convergence.
The agenda includes reviewing a draft tentative three-year work program and action plan for ECOSOCC-WA while considering a draft indicative three-year budget aimed at providing a strong foundation for civil society contributions to peacebuilding and development within the ECOWAS community. The meeting aims to enhance understanding of ECOSOCC-WA's comparative advantages and strategic importance in addressing current and potential political and socio-economic challenges facing the region. Key pointers will be presented, along with plenaries, group working sessions, and interactive discussions.
A robust regional ECOWAS-Civil Societies Organization (CSO) coordinating platform around democracy, peace, and security is part of the strategies supporting ECOWAS' 4×4 agenda as well as its peace and security priorities. ECOSOCC-WA aims to provide a platform for civil society organizations to actively contribute to regional integration, address shared challenges, and promote inclusive development. It also seeks to address democratic reversals and threats to peace and security in the region.
Participants include representatives from key social and cultural agencies of ministries from the 15 ECOWAS member states, private sector entities, think tanks, governance experts, peace advocates, and security stakeholders across the region.
The collaboration between ECOWAS and CSOs underscores the significance of fostering strategic partnerships among civil society groups, governments, development partners, and economic communities. "It is evident that the role of CSOs has evolved from being mere watchdogs to serving as credible bridge-builders between policymakers and the ECOWAS community," enhancing their collaborative effectiveness.
The experts' meeting receives active support from various partners including USAID under its Strengthening Regional Peace and Stability in West Africa Program (SRPS), West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as well as Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
This Cotonou meeting builds on a regional gathering held on February 22-23, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria which itself followed an internal consultative workshop conducted in Lagos in December 2023.
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