ECOWAS To Host Pivotal Regional Conference in Abuja.
By Caroline Ameh
In a recent press release published on its website, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is gearing up to host a two-day regional conference in Abuja, Nigeria, aimed at establishing the Economic Social and Cultural Council for West Africa (ECOSOCC-WA).
Scheduled for February 22nd and 23rd, the conference is a proactive step towards addressing regional challenges through collaborative civil society engagement and participatory governance.
The upcoming conference, which will be organized by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), with support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), is to mobilize a responsive regional civil society and collectively lay a sturdy foundation for the establishment of a citizen’s council.
By fostering inclusivity and participation in governance processes, ECOSOCC-WA aims to address multifaceted challenges prevalent in West Africa, including poverty, political instability, inequality, environmental degradation, and conflicts.
According to the press statement, ECOSOCC-WA is poised to serve as a catalyst for regional cooperation and collective action, leveraging the expertise and resources of civil society organizations to tackle complex issues more effectively. By providing a platform for dialogue, advocacy, and policy recommendations, the council aims to amplify the voices of West African citizens and ensure that their concerns are duly considered at national, regional, and global levels.
The implementation of ECOSOCC-WA is expected to empower civil society organizations across West Africa, enabling them to contribute directly to regional policies and initiatives. Participants at the conference will include impactful civil society organizations, development experts, and officials from various ECOWAS commissions and institutions, all of whom are poised to play instrumental roles in advancing the establishment of ECOSOCC-WA.
The Abuja conference follows an internal consultative workshop held in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 12th and 13th, 2023, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of ECOSOCC-WA. With momentum building towards greater regional cooperation and citizen engagement, the conference holds promise for driving positive change and addressing pressing
