The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is gearing up to inaugurate a significant regional conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 22nd and 23rd, with the goal of establishing the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council for West Africa (ECOSOCC-WA).
As announced via a recent press release on the ECOWAS Commission’s official website, the event is spearheaded by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS), with support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
The conference aims to cultivate a vibrant regional civil society, collectively laying the groundwork for a comprehensive citizens’ council. This initiative is envisioned to bolster a more inclusive and participatory governance framework across the region, among other objectives.
Highlighting the rationale behind the establishment of ECOSOCC-WA, the statement underscores the myriad shared challenges faced by West Africa, including poverty, inequality, political instability, environmental issues, and conflicts.
The council is poised to play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing these challenges through dialogue, advocacy, and policy recommendations.
“It can act as a catalyst for regional cooperation and collective action, leveraging the expertise and resources of civil society organizations to tackle these complex issues more effectively,” the statement emphasized.
Furthermore, the press release emphasized that the establishment of ECOSOCC-WA will empower civil society in West Africa to exert a direct influence on regional policies and projects, thereby elevating their impact and ensuring the region’s populace’s concerns on critical national, regional, and global issues are duly addressed.
The conference will convene influential civil society organizations, development specialists, and representatives from the ECOWAS Commission and Institutions.
These participants are expected to contribute to the rejuvenation of a robust civil society movement, fostering environments and networks within Member States and across the region that promote and strengthen human security by representing the unique needs and interests of its citizens.
This initiative follows a preliminary consultative workshop on setting up ECOSOCC-WA, which convened in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 12th and 13th, 2023, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming conference in Abuja.
