The recent meeting between Gilles Fagninou, Regional Director of UNICEF for West and Central Africa, and Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, took place on February 25, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. This visit was an opportunity to commend the strong partnership between UNICEF and ECOWAS.
During their discussions, Dr. Touray and Mr. Fagninou focused on key areas of their collaboration, particularly the protection and rights of children and adolescents in West Africa. They also addressed the education of young girls within the community.
To enhance cooperation further, Mr. Fagninou proposed developing joint activities concerning West African children and adolescents to coincide with ECOWAS’ fiftieth anniversary celebrations. Dr. Touray accepted this proposal.
The meeting allowed both organizations to reaffirm their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership and expressed a mutual desire to continue working together for the benefit of West African children and adolescents.
Mr. Fagninou appreciated Dr. Touray’s willingness to prioritize the well-being of these groups. In response, Dr. Touray thanked Mr. Fagninou for his dedication and support towards regional efforts benefiting children and adolescents.
Dr. Touray emphasized the importance of unity within West Africa in all collaborations with partners like UNICEF: “Our partners must help West Africa to be united and supportive. They must contribute to its union, not its division,” he stated.
Accompanying Dr. Touray during this visit were several collaborators including Mambury Njie, his Special Adviser on Economic and Financial Integration and Partnerships.
