The Economic Commission for Africa says the Regional Forum of Intergovernmental Organisations of West Africa will strengthen partnerships for sustainable development in the region.

In a statement on its website, ECA said its Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (UNECA-SRO-WA), in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire, would host the meeting.

“The objective of this regional forum is primarily to strengthen the partnership for sustainable development between the entities of the United Nations system represented by the ECA. And the Office of the Resident Coordinator of the Ivory Coast on the one hand, and West African IGOs on the other,’’ ECA said.

Phillipe Lasmel, director-general of the Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, expressed concern that countries in the sub-region may not meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals targets.

He said this was despite the economic progress made by these countries.

“It is therefore urgent to mobilise around all the levers capable of reversing this trend. In this regard, regional integration constitutes. An essential lever for achieving the objectives of sustainable development and better responding to the aspirations for well-being of African populations,” Mr Lasmel said.

He said the subregion needed concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve complete integration, sustainable development, and Agenda 2063.

“These include the development of rivers and basins for water management and access to energy and information and data generation. Others are financing facilities, promotion of a single currency, integrated payment systems, strengthening of the macroeconomic framework, and multisectoral and community interventions,’’ he explained.

(NAN)