TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ECOWAS, THE REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE IS ORGANISING A MAJOR AWARENESS-RAISING EVENT IN YAMOUSSOUKRO.

As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Representation of the ECOWAS Commission in Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with the ECOWAS National Office, is organising a series of commemorative events of national and regional significance on 27 and 28 March 2026 in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

To this end, the official ceremony on Saturday 28 March 2026 will be held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research, under the patronage of Her Excellency Ms Nialé Kaba, Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This distinguished presence illustrates the Ivorian Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening regional integration, peace and cooperation among ECOWAS member states.

Furthermore, having been established in 1975, ECOWAS is celebrating fifty years of transformative work dedicated to building a regional community based on the free movement of people and goods, economic cooperation, political stability and solidarity among peoples. In this context, this commemoration is fully in line with the Vision 2050 initiative, which aims to build an integrated, prosperous, peaceful and resilient West African community, centred on the citizen and underpinned by inclusive governance.

As part of the commemorative programme, activities will begin on Friday 27 March 2026 at the Lycée Mamie Adjoua in Yamoussoukro, with the launch of an awareness campaign on teenage pregnancy in schools. Bringing together education authorities, health professionals, institutional partners and pupils, this initiative aims to raise awareness among young people about sexual and reproductive health issues, promote responsible behaviour and help reduce teenage pregnancies in schools. In this regard, it also forms part of an initiative to strengthen dialogue between institutions and young people, reflecting the joint commitment of ECOWAS and the Ivorian authorities to human capital development.

Furthermore, on Saturday 28 March 2026, the official opening ceremony will take place in a solemn setting, in the presence of senior government officials, representatives of ECOWAS institutions, technical and financial partners, the diplomatic corps accredited to Côte d’Ivoire, as well as administrative, traditional and local authorities. The programme will include the playing of the official anthems, high-level institutional addresses, the screening of a film highlighting ECOWAS’s achievements, artistic performances showcasing West Africa’s cultural richness and diversity, and an official group photograph to mark this historic moment.

In the same vein, under the patronage of Her Excellency Ms Nialé Kaba, this celebration reflects the commitment of the highest Ivorian authorities to continue and step up efforts towards regional integration, in line with national and regional priorities. It also provides an opportunity to reaffirm Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a key player in the integration process in West Africa.

Following this ceremony, a commemorative procession will wind its way through the city of Yamoussoukro, providing a special opportunity to engage with the local community. It will serve to convey key messages regarding the missions, institutions and major achievements of ECOWAS. Building on this momentum, activities will continue at Place Jean-Paul II with a space for entertainment, awareness-raising and discussion, ahead of the official closing ceremony.

Finally, through this initiative, ECOWAS, with the support of the National Office, aims to strengthen community-based communication by bringing Community institutions closer to the people and fostering greater ownership of regional policies. This celebration also aims to strengthen the sense of belonging to the West African region, to promote the values of peace, solidarity and social cohesion, to encourage the involvement of young people and women in regional development, and to raise the profile of Community actions in Côte d’Ivoire.