Abuja: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, is conducting a technical session aimed at establishing an Economic and Social Council for West Africa (ECOWAS-ECOSOC). This session commenced on June 26, 2025, in Niger State, Nigeria.

According to African Press Organization, the two-day meeting gathers officials from relevant ECOWAS Departments, Directorates, and Divisions, alongside consultants and partners. This assembly is part of a broader initiative to consolidate democracy, peace, and security while enhancing political stability, security, participatory governance, and citizen inclusion across the region.

In his opening remarks, Amb Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, urged participants to bear in mind the goal of ECOWAS-ECOSOC. He emphasized its role as a bridge to interface with decision-makers and as an influential organ for citizen engagement.

The meeting also featured goodwill messages from representatives of 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. Participants are set to examine the justification of ECOSOC, membership and eligibility criteria, structure, and sustainability.

A firmly established ECOWAS-ECOSOC is anticipated to play a crucial role in identifying emerging social and economic trends and issues. It aims to strengthen dialogue, advocacy, and policy recommendations to resolve common challenges such as poverty, inequality, political instability, environmental difficulties, and conflict.

The technical meeting builds on foundations laid by previous consultations, including an internal consultative meeting of ECOWAS Staff held in December 2023 in Lagos, a regional consultative meeting of civil society organizations in February 2024 in Abuja, and an experts group meeting in June 2024 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.