Conakry, 11 November 2017. Guinea Minister of Trade, Mr Marc Yombouno, underscored the need to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to actualize its Vision 2020, and achieve a borderless region where the population would be able to exploit the abundant resources by creating opportunities in an enabling environment.

The call was made at a conference organized in Conakry, Guinea to commemorate the 42nd ECOWAS Anniversary Celebration on 8 November 2017, instead of the original 28 May, date of the creation of the regional organisation.

On the occasion of this year’s anniversary, with the theme, ‘Towards a peaceful and prosperous region through ECOWAS Vision 2020’.  Mr Yombouno reiterated the determination of the Guinean President, Prof. Alpha Condé, to promote regional integration and democratic principles.

The ECOWAS Day was organised by the Permanent Representation of the regional organization in Guinea, in conjunction with ECOWAS Member States’ Ambassadors accredited to the country, and Guinea Minister of Plan and International Cooperation.

The Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Guinea, Mrs Liliane Alapini, availed herself of the opportunity to recall the objectives of the Treaty establishing ECOWAS.  The aim was to promote economic cooperation and regional integration of Member States’ economies.

Aside the objectives, Mrs Alapini outlined the major achievements of ECOWAS since its establishment in 1975.

The achievements include promotion of democracy, conflict prevention and resolution in Member States, implementation of the Common External Tariff (CET), the determined effort towards the creation of a single currency, adoption of a biometric identity card and an ECOWAS Passport.

In conclusion, she expressed her gratitude to the Guinean Head of State and his government for their unrelenting support to economic advancement and regional integration.