Gambiaj.com – (ABUJA, Nigeria) – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Amina Mohammed and ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Omar Alieu Touray have outlined a plan for strengthening cooperation between the two organizations at a crucial meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. West Africa’s urgent problems, such as political instability, counterterrorism, human development, and regional integration, were the focus of the high-level talks.

President Touray emphasized the critical need for proactive measures to address the volatile political climate in the region. Highlighting counter-terrorism as an urgent priority, he reaffirmed ECOWAS’s dedication to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which emphasizes funding for the African Union’s peace and security initiatives.

“The prevailing political atmosphere in West Africa demands that we address terrorism and regional instability head-on,” President Touray asserted. “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 this commitment, stressing the importance of aligning UN strategies with ECOWAS’s goals. She identified key development areas, including food security, financial systems reform, and support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

The meeting also delved into the geopolitical and economic consequences of the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS. Both leaders underscored the importance of measured responses to maintain trade relations and foster dialogue with these nations.

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

Human development featured prominently in the dialogue. DSG Mohammed underscored the need for transformative action to modernize energy systems, which she said would empower SMEs and spur economic growth.

President Touray lauded progress achieved through ECOWAS’s integration frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and called for enhanced collaboration with UN agencies to accelerate progress in key areas.

“This longstanding partnership between ECOWAS and the UN must be strengthened to deliver on critical priorities,” he concluded.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared vision of ECOWAS and the UN to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous West Africa through enhanced cooperation and strategic alignment.