The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, stressed the urgent need for concrete action on longstanding commitments to global peace and development.

Touray made these remarks during the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as stated in a Monday release from the ECOWAS Commission.

He praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres for organizing the summit, highlighting its significance during a critical time for the world.

“The timing of the summit is especially important as we stand at a crossroads,” Touray said, emphasizing the choice between a tumultuous past and a more equitable, cooperative future.

He expressed skepticism about the novelty of the Pact for the Future, noting that many of its commitments have been previously stated in various UN frameworks.

“The recurrence of these old commitments indicates a need for greater political will to fulfill our promises,” he remarked. Touray emphasized that for ECOWAS, the effectiveness of the Pact hinges on actual implementation.

He called for decisive action on key issues such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate justice, and youth engagement. He urged leaders to prioritize regional unity and integration, cautioning against the risks of disunity and conflict, especially in West Africa.

“If we fail to deliver once again, history will regard this summit not as the summit of the future but as a summit of the past. This is the choice we face,” he concluded.