A landmark exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concluded at the United Nations headquarters in New York on December 5, 2025. The event was organized by the ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission and the ECOWAS Group at the United Nations.
The ten-day exhibition, titled “ECOWAS @50: Stronger together for a Brighter Future: Celebrating 50 Years of Strength, Resilience and Progress,” was ECOWAS’s first such event at the UN. It served as the closing activity for a series of high-level events on governance, peace, and development in West Africa to commemorate ECOWAS’s golden jubilee internationally.
The exhibition attracted international attendees including UN officials, ambassadors, permanent representatives, civil society members, and partners. The opening ceremony on November 25 featured remarks from Martha A Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary General for Africa; Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the UN; and Michael Imran Kanu, Chair of the ECOWAS Group and Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
According to organizers, “The auspicious occasion afforded ECOWAS and Partners the opportunity to celebrate the Legacy of the ECOWAS Founding Fathers and the gains of 5 Decades of regional Cooperation, Integration and Development in West Africa. It also provided a Platform for Visibility and Information dissemination on ECOWAS’ Political and Economic Integration Agenda over the years. showcasing key gains, challenges, and opportunities in promoting Regionalism, Peace, and Security, Good Governance and Sustainable Development in the Region.”
Exhibition displays highlighted ECOWAS’s mission, vision, strategic objectives and interventions across areas such as free movement and trade protocols among member states—one function outlined by the organization—as well as infrastructure development efforts aimed at boosting living standards through harmonized policies. Attendees were able to view visual presentations covering gender inclusion initiatives alongside achievements in governance reform.
The exhibition also addressed ongoing challenges facing West Africa in governance issues as well as peace and security concerns. Organizers noted efforts being made towards overcoming these obstacles within a framework that seeks shared prosperity under a strong political union.
Diplomats from countries participating in recent African regional security arrangements joined with other international partners during guided tours. The African Union’s Permanent Observer to the UN Mohamed Edrees attended alongside members of West African diaspora communities.
Reflecting on five decades since its founding via treaty signed by 15 leaders on May 28th 1975 (source), participants praised both past accomplishments registered by ECOWAS—whose headquarters is located in Abuja—and its ongoing role supporting stability across twelve member states (source).
The event concluded with a reception featuring music from West Africa intended to celebrate solidarity within a region where economic integration remains central to policy objectives underpinned by harmonized legal frameworks (source).