ECOWAS Marks 50 Years at UN, Reaffirms Push for Multilateralism and Regional Prosperity.
By Raymond Enoch.
In a resounding tribute to five decades of regional unity, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 50th anniversary with a grand commemorative event at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 25, 2025. Held in the distinguished ECOSOC Chamber, the celebration brought together a mosaic of dignitaries—senior United Nations officials, ECOWAS leaders, diplomats, academics, and international development partners—all united under the banner: “United for a Better Future: Promoting Regionalism and Multilateralism for Shared Prosperity.”
Organized by the ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in partnership with the ECOWAS Ambassadors Group, the event served as both a reflective pause on a storied past and a determined gaze into a hopeful future. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai set the tone with a poignant overview of ECOWAS’s historical role as a driver of peace, economic integration, and sustainable development in West Africa.
“As we commemorate 50 years of ECOWAS, we honor not just an institution but a living vision—one that has evolved and endured through storms and triumphs alike,” she declared to an attentive audience.
A Celebration of Legacy and Leadership
Representing the ECOWAS Commission, Vice-President Damtien L. Tchintchibidja reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to its strategic direction through Vision 2050, a comprehensive blueprint designed to deepen integration and ensure inclusive growth across member states.
In a keynote address that captured both urgency and ambition, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, tackled the persistent security challenges plaguing the region. He offered detailed insight into the operationalisation of the much-anticipated Regional Rapid Reaction Force, a mechanism aimed at swiftly countering terrorism and violent extremism across the subcontinent.
“Our security cannot be outsourced,” Dr. Musah stated firmly. “West Africa’s stability depends on bold regional action and collective resilience. The Citizens’ Pact will empower our people to be active stakeholders in shaping our shared destiny.”
A Message from History: Gowon’s Enduring Voice
A deeply emotional highlight of the ceremony was a video message from General Yakubu Gowon, the last surviving founding father of ECOWAS and a towering figure in the annals of African diplomacy. Speaking with the wisdom of age and the passion of a true statesman, Gowon recalled the optimism and resolve that gave birth to ECOWAS in 1975.
“We envisioned a West Africa that would rise together—not just economically, but in dignity and solidarity. That dream still burns bright today,” he said, calling for renewed commitment to unity and shared progress.
Bridging the Past and Future Through Partnership
The event underscored ECOWAS’s evolution from a trade bloc into a formidable political and security actor on the continent. As discussions emphasized the need for greater synergy between regionalism and global multilateralism, many attendees viewed the celebration not merely as a historic milestone, but as a clarion call for reinvigorated partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world.
A representative from the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs praised ECOWAS as a “model of African regionalism”, noting its decisive roles in conflict resolution, democratic governance, and humanitarian coordination.
In an age where geopolitical fractures often dominate the headlines, the ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebration stood out as a rare and inspiring reminder of what multilateral cooperation can achieve when driven by shared vision and sustained leadership.
