Gambiaj.com – (ABUJA, Nigeria) — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) reaffirmed their commitment to addressing pressing challenges in the West African region during a high-level meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025. ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Omar Alieu Touray and UN Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Amina Mohammed convened in Abuja to strengthen cooperation in political stability, peace and security, human development, and regional integration.

In his remarks, President Touray stressed the urgency of combating the volatile political climate in West Africa, particularly the escalating threat of terrorism. Highlighting the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which supports funding for the African Union’s peace and security agenda, Touray affirmed ECOWAS’s determination to implement the resolution effectively.

“The prevailing political atmosphere in West Africa demands that we address terrorism and regional instability head-on,” President Touray stated. “We are committed to ensuring that critical resolutions like UNSC 2719 do not become mere symbolic gestures but translate into actionable frameworks.”

Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the alignment of UN efforts with ECOWAS’s strategic priorities. She identified food security, financial system reforms, and fostering a supportive environment for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) as critical developmental goals.

The meeting also addressed the geopolitical repercussions of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, with both leaders acknowledging the potential impacts on regional trade and cohesion. The discussion underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue with these nations while upholding stability and integration.

“Our commitment to regional stability and integration remains unwavering,” President Touray reiterated.

Human development emerged as a key theme, with Mohammed advocating for transformative efforts to modernize energy systems to empower SMEs and stimulate economic growth. She also called for stronger links between policy creation and on-the-ground implementation.

President Touray highlighted ECOWAS’s ongoing progress under its integration frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He urged for expanded collaboration with UN agencies to ensure the region’s development goals are met effectively.

“We must build on our longstanding relationship with the UN to deliver on critical areas,” he stated.

The dialogue between ECOWAS and the UN reinforces their shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development in West Africa, setting the stage for collaborative efforts in addressing the region’s most urgent challenges.