The D-8 Secretary-General, His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari visited the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou on 21st January, 2020 at the Headquarters of the Organization in Abuja. The Secretary-General was accompanied by Director I, Mr. Nasir Aminu and Research Analyst/Press Officer, Mr. Ilham Uludag as well as Programme Director of the D-8 Health and Social Protection Programme, Dr. Ado Muhammad.

At the meeting, the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the President of ECOWAS Commission for receiving the D-8 Delegation. Then, he briefly introduced the D-8 Organization and its programmes and activities and some of the initiatives recently introduced. He also shared some facts and figures regarding the D-8 Member States. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of experience sharing and global best practices between the two institutions. He pointed out that the D-8 Organization has many things to learn from the ECOWAS which is one of the most successful regional economic groupings in the world.

On his part, the President of the Commission pointed out that ECOWAS undertake activities in a wide spectrum of areas and it cooperate with other institutions and organizations. He added that although the two institutions have differences in their areas of operations and the experiences they have garnered over the years, yet they have various fields where they can cooperate and learn from each other. Some of these areas include trade and health. He acknowledged the modest success recorded by the D-8 Organization in the tourism sectoral track and expressed the desire of ECOWAS to borrow a leaf from the book of the D-8 in this regard.

The two executives agreed on commencing collaboration between their organizations by signing a general MoU. The meeting ended with exchange of gifts and photo opportunity.