The President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray, has emphasised the need for tangible action on longstanding commitments to global peace and development.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly’s Summit of the Future in New York, Touray emphasized the need for decisive action on pressing issues like peace and security, sustainable development, climate justice, and youth empowerment.
Touray commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for convening the summit, noting its significance in the face of pivotal global choices.
He highlighted the importance of choosing between a chaotic past and a more just, collaborative future. However, Touray also questioned the novelty of the Pact for the Future, pointing out that many of its commitments have been previously articulated under various UN frameworks.
Touray stressed that implementation is key to making the Pact meaningful, warning that failure to deliver will render the summit ineffective. He urged leaders to prioritize regional unity and integration, cautioning against the dangers of disunity and conflict in West Africa.
