The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened its sixty-sixth ordinary session on December 15, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting brought together regional leaders to discuss economic integration and cooperation.
H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, addressed the progress in regional economic integration. He mentioned the electronic certificate of origin and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which have facilitated intra-regional trade. He also noted that the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project aims to improve energy access and support regional industrialization.
H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of Nigeria, reiterated ECOWAS's founding principles during his opening remarks. "Over the years, ECOWAS has achieved significant milestones in strengthening regional integration, facilitating free movement of people, goods, and services, and supporting democratic governance and conflict resolution," he stated.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of security and improving living standards for citizens as essential responsibilities for regional leaders. "We must not lose sight of our fundamental responsibility, which is to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper," he said.
The session was attended by H.E. Mr. Leonardo Santos Simao from UNOWAS and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat from the African Union Commission, among other dignitaries. A communique detailing decisions made by the Authority will be released.
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