The ECOWAS Commission has convened a four-day summit of government experts in Lomé, running from April 21 to 24, 2026, to refine and validate the draft Action Plan for the Integrated Maritime Strategy (IMS).
This meeting, organized by the Directorate for Peacekeeping and Regional Security, serves as a critical step in the formal adoption process of a regional framework designed to secure and optimize the West African maritime domain. By bringing together specialists from across the member states, the commission aims to create a unified and highly operational roadmap that addresses the complex security, economic, and environmental pressures facing the region’s waters.
The primary objective of the gathering is to allow regional specialists to enrich the strategic document, ensuring that the final implementation plan is both coordinated and comprehensive. ECOWAS officials emphasize that this initiative is a cornerstone of efforts to strengthen regional maritime governance, seeking to improve cooperation in an area that is vital to the broader development of West Africa. The resulting roadmap is intended to provide a common defense and economic strategy, safeguarding trade routes and managing maritime resources in a way that benefits all member states collectively.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA