ECOWAS leaders witness the inauguration of the Julius International Conference Centre in Sierra Leone
Ahmed Salem
Several leaders of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended the inauguration ceremony of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Center.
This international center hosts the work of the CEDEAO summit and the organization’s logistics supply depot in the Lungi region of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone is hosting the 69th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday.
The leaders will discuss peace, security, democratic governance, and economic integration, as well as the future of the relationship with the Sahel Alliance countries after their withdrawal from the organization.
Opening of the ECOWAS building in Abuja
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), presided over the official opening ceremony of the group’s new headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
He described this historic monument as a symbol of West Africa’s shared ambition, calling on the region’s leaders to transform five decades of integration into greater prosperity, security and opportunities for more than 450 million citizens.
In his keynote address, President Pugh described the opening ceremony as more than just the opening of a new building.
He said: “Today, we are not only inaugurating a new headquarters, but we are also reaffirming our collective belief in the promise of regional integration, the power of African solidarity, and the enduring vision of a united, prosperous, and peaceful West Africa.”.
The President expressed his appreciation to the government and people of Nigeria for their continued support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since its founding in 1975, and thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their donation of the headquarters, describing it as further evidence of the strategic partnership between China and West Africa.
President Pew stressed that the true value of the headquarters lies not in its architecture, but in the decisions made within it.
He added: “This building represents much more than just steel, glass and concrete. It is a powerful symbol of our shared ambition, our collective resilience and our unwavering commitment to building a stronger and more integrated West Africa.”.
Focus on achieving results
President Bio called for a renewed focus on delivering tangible results for citizens, saying that West Africans are looking beyond mere statements and expect institutions to improve their daily lives.
He added that citizens expect the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to remove trade barriers, create jobs, promote peace and security, empower women, and provide greater opportunities for young people across the region.
