ECCAS/UNDP: Courtesy Visit to Revitalize Cooperation

Libreville, Gabonese Republic, 21 April 2026– The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS),Excellency Dr. Ambassador Ezekiel Nibigirareceived in audience the Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Office for West and Central Africa,His Excellency NJoya Tikum,accompanied the UNDP Resident Representative in Gabon SE. MadamRokya Ye-DIENG.

The two United Nations diplomats came to congratulate the Chairman of the ECCAS Commission on his appointment as head of the Commission and to seize the opportunity to sow the seeds of renewed cooperation between the two institutions.

Five years ago the two organizations had tried to find some avenues for cooperation, unfortunately the lack of follow-up stifled the initiative in the egg.

Fortunately, the advent of a new governance at the head of the ECCAS Commission is reflected in theAmbassador Dr Ezekiel NibigiraReiterates the hope of renewed cooperation between ECCAS and UNDP.

" We have come to express the readiness of UNDP to support the vision of the Chairman of the Commission and the efforts he intends to make with his team to deal with all the situations that the Central African subregion is going through," Mr.NJYA.

The successful discussions by UNDP leaders focused on three main areas:

o Climate change issues;

o Youth issues;

o And issues of democracy and governance.

These leads are a solid basis for UNDP to resume cooperation with the ECCAS Commission.

Moreover, the head of UNDP was reminded that his institution was currently conducting a thorough reflection on the state of governance in Central Africa, anything that could serve as a basis for collegial work with ECCAS.

For the UNDP Resident Representative in the Gabonese Republic, working with the ECCAS Commission is a great opportunity to boost the development agenda in member states and the subregion.

In view of the immense security challenges that have an impact on the development of the Central African Region, the rapprochement of ECCAS with UNDP is in no doubt beneficial, in order to improve the living conditions of the people, which is part of the consolidation of democracy and governance.

The Chairman of the ECCAS Commission, for his part, expressed the full readiness of ECCAS to relaunch and consolidate cooperation with UNDP.