Niger State: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, has initiated a technical session aimed at establishing an Economic and Social Council of West Africa (ECOWAS-ECOSOC). The session commenced on June 26, 2025, in Niger State, Nigeria.
According to African Press Organization, the two-day meeting gathers officials from various ECOWAS Departments, Directorates, and Divisions, alongside consultants and partners. This initiative seeks to build upon previous consultations to consolidate democracy, peace, and security while enhancing political stability, security, participatory governance, and citizen inclusion in the region.
In his opening remarks, Amb Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commission's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, urged participants to focus on the objective of ECOWAS-ECOSOC. He emphasized its role as a bridge to connect with decision-makers, serving as a platform for citizen engagement.
Goodwill messages were also conveyed by representatives from ECOWAS Commission's partners, including the African Union, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
During the meeting, participants are set to deliberate on the justification for ECOSOC, membership and eligibility criteria, structure, and sustainability. A well-established ECOWAS-ECOSOC is expected to play a significant role in identifying emerging social and economic trends, addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, political instability, environmental challenges, and conflict through dialogue, advocacy, and policy recommendations.
This technical meeting is a continuation of efforts from prior consultative meetings, including the Internal Consultative Meeting of ECOWAS Staff in December 2023 in Lagos, the Regional Consultative Meeting of Civil Society Organizations in February 2024 in Abuja, and the Experts Group Meeting in June 2024 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.