ECOWAS gathers in Abuja for 64th summit: Key discussions on currency, coups, and climate change

The 64th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government is currently underway in Abuja, Nigeria. Chaired by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the summit brings together leaders from the 15-member block to discuss crucial regional issues.

Notable attendees, including Heads of State and Government from Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, have converged at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Other participating nations include Benin, Gambia, Togo, Cape Verde, and Senegal.

The summit has attracted a diverse array of stakeholders, including the ECOWAS Commission, former President Goodluck Jonathan, U.S. Lead Diplomat for Africa Molly Phee, the African Union (AU), and UN Secretary-General Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simao.

The agenda for this end-of-year meeting encompasses a comprehensive review of decisions and agreements made by ECOWAS. Among these is the adoption of the ECO as a common currency for the region. Additionally, the regional body will deliberate on the recent coup d’états in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, addressing pressing concerns related to political stability.

The summit will also tackle global challenges such as climate change, emphasizing the region’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Discussions on democracy, bilateral relations, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement are anticipated to shape the strategic direction of West African nations.

As leaders engage in these critical discussions, the 64th ECOWAS summit in Abuja serves as a pivotal platform for fostering regional cooperation and addressing pressing issues that impact the collective well-being of West African states.