The Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), convened on Thursday for its 93rd ordinary session at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja.
The session, chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, aimed to tackle critical issues surrounding governance, economic policies, and regional integration.
In his opening remarks, ECOWAS President Omar Touray praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the people of Nigeria for their unwavering support for the regional bloc.
He emphasized the significance of the Council’s meeting, stating, “The gathering couldn’t be more timely considering the persistent challenges confronting the region.”
Touray outlined the session’s agenda, which includes 30 key items focused on trade, security, agriculture, and regional stability.
He also expressed concern over a decline in community remittances, revealing that only 40% of expected contributions from member states had been received over the past six years.
Highlighting positive developments, Touray lauded the peaceful elections conducted this year in Liberia, Senegal, Togo, and Ghana, describing them as milestones that underscore the importance of democratic processes in the region.
As the session unfolded, the ECOWAS President urged member states to renew their commitment to the bloc’s core values, emphasizing collective efforts to address regional challenges and enhance integration.
