ECOWAS commemorates 49th anniversary with high-level events at United Nations

The ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations and the ECOWAS Group at the United Nations organized a series of high-level events to commemorate the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS. The first event, a High-Level Dialogue on 'Regionalism, Democracy and Development in West Africa: Building Blocks to Strengthening Multilateralism,' was held on June 7, 2024, at the UN Headquarters.

The opening session featured remarks by several dignitaries, including UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, African Union Permanent Observer to the United Nations Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Ambassador Axel de la Maisonneuve of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the United Nations Ambassador Jawara-Njai, and Prof. Nkiru Edozie from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

Subsequent sessions included statements from Permanent Representatives of ECOWAS Member States to the United Nations and contributions from various officials such as Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa (UNDP), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simao (Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel), Ms. Martha Pobee (United Nations Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations), Mr. Gilles Olakounle Yabi (WATHI), and Mrs. Oge Onubogu (Woodrow Wilson Africa Program).

The event aimed to facilitate exchanges on ECOWAS' initiatives in promoting good governance and sustainable development while addressing ongoing challenges in West Africa.

On June 12th, a second event was held to brief Permanent Representatives of West African nations at the UN on political and security developments in West Africa and the Sahel region. This session was hosted by the West Africa Division of UN DPPA-DPO.

The final event in this series took place on June 14th when Election Officers from Permanent Representations convened for a technical working group meeting to finalize guidelines for candidatures of ECOWAS Member States for positions within UN organs/specialized agencies.