Meeting with H.E. Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, Chairperson of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African State

New York, 21 September 2020 – United Nations Special Adviser on Africa, Cristina Duarte, met with H.E. Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, Chairperson of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly. The two senior officials discussed their shared strategic vision of an Africa that continues to rise above on-going challenges towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2063 Agenda of the African Union, activating closer collaboration between the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and ECCAS, including on the development and peace nexus.

Emphasizing the work of her office in supporting innovation and growth across Africa, the Special Adviser welcomed the commitment of ECCAS in fostering an environment of stability that could catalyze Africa’s tremendous potential in the region. She also highlighted the opportunity to take the partnership between OSAA and ECCAS to new heights for the people and continent of Africa, particularly on the eve of the next decade of Agenda 2063. For his part, the ECCAS Chief acknowledged the importance of collaboration with the United Nations, while underscoring Africa’s resilience in tackling recent socio-economic shocks and challenges. He also emphasized democracy and international cooperation as key drivers to accelerating progress towards the development of Central African States and beyond across the continent.

The two senior officials agreed on continuing to nurture partnerships through African thought-leadership and working closely together in building upon the foundation laid during these first 10 years of Agenda 2063, scaling up action towards an equitable, secure and prosperous Africa.