Overview
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ECOWAS and the African States - ECOWAS, members of the total area of 527 million square kilometers and a total area of Africa 1 / 6;Population 2. 25 billion, accounting for the population of Africa is near 1 / 3 tenet: the Member States in the economic, social and cultural aspects of development and cooperation, and to improve the standard of living of the people and strengthen the mutual relationship, as Africa's progress and development in the region of the long - term goal is to achieve tenet: the Member States in the economic, social and cultural aspects of development and cooperation, and to improve the standard of living of the people and strengthen the mutual relationship, as Africa's progress and development in the region of the long - term goal is to achieve .
. West Africa's economic integration in the Member States: the 15 Member States (2001): Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea - Bissau, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, West Africa's economic integration in the Member States: the 15 Member States (2001): Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea - Bissau, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone,.
Senegal Mauritania on 31 December 2000 to exit the West African Economic and Monetary Community organized Senegal Mauritania on 31 December 2000 to exit the West African Economic and Monetary Community organized .: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea - Bissau, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin from eight countries, the use of the Central Bank of West African CFA francs : Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea - Bissau, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin from eight countries, the use of the Central Bank of West African CFA francs .
issued more than eight countries using Portuguese - speaking Guinea - Bissau, others were all French - speaking countries of West Africa issued more than eight countries using Portuguese - speaking Guinea - Bissau, others were all French - speaking countries of West Africa . currency areas: Africa's largest oil producer and most populous country Nigeria, including the use of English in the Gambia, Ghana, and the use of French Guinea consists of currency areas: Africa's largest oil producer and most populous country Nigeria, including the use of English in the Gambia, Ghana, and the use of French Guinea consists of .
headquarters:The Executive Secretariat of the Nigeria capital, Abuja, headquarters:The Executive Secretariat of the Nigeria capital, Abuja, . 1 1.
History
May 28, 1975, in Nigeria and Togo to the two heads of state, at the initiative of the 15 West African countries (Cape Verde) in 1977 in Nigeria and the convening of the Summit, the signing of the Economic Community of West African States treaty ", officially established the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) May 28, 1975, in Nigeria and Togo to the two heads of state, at the initiative of the 15 West African countries (Cape Verde) in 1977 in Nigeria and the convening of the Summit, the signing of the Economic Community of West African States treaty ", officially established the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) . West since its inception, has been devoted to the coordination of economic development in our countries, to promote regional economic integration process West since its inception, has been devoted to the coordination of economic development in our countries, to promote regional economic integration process .
West in December 2001, at the Summit, decided on the cooperation of West African States, and the compensation fund for the development of a comprehensive reform, liberalisation of fund shares, expand the financing channel,Strengthening the absorption capacity of the international floating capital West in December 2001, at the Summit, decided on the cooperation of West African States, and the compensation fund for the development of a comprehensive reform, liberalisation of fund shares, expand the financing channel,Strengthening the absorption capacity of the international floating capital . meeting also decided to fund the original of which is founded on the basis of the investment from the West African Development Bank and meeting also decided to fund the original of which is founded on the basis of the investment from the West African Development Bank and .
2003 February, investment from the West African Development Bank announced the creation of, headquartered in Lome, Togo 2003 February, investment from the West African Development Bank announced the creation of, headquartered in Lome, Togo . since January 2004, the implementation of the ECOWAS passport since January 2004, the implementation of the ECOWAS passport .
common passports for citizens of the Member States do not need prior visas can travel to the West African country any travel, work and settle down, fully achieve the free movement of persons' common passports for citizens of the Member States do not need prior visas can travel to the West African country any travel, work and settle down, fully achieve the free movement of persons' . this initiative so that West Africa becomes a continent currently only citizens of a free - flowing areas this initiative so that West Africa becomes a continent currently only citizens of a free - flowing areas .
in June 2006,West African leaders at the summit for the West African institutional reform package in June 2006,West African leaders at the summit for the West African institutional reform package . according the reforms adopted, as from January 2007, the Executive Secretariat of ECOWAS will be on the nine - member Commission with according the reforms adopted, as from January 2007, the Executive Secretariat of ECOWAS will be on the nine - member Commission with .
from Ghana, Chairman of the Committee, the Vice - Chairman from Burkina Faso, seven members each from Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, Niger and Ivory Coast have also published new from Ghana, Chairman of the Committee, the Vice - Chairman from Burkina Faso, seven members each from Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, Niger and Ivory Coast have also published new . meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament, when MPs will be directly elected by universal franchise meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament, when MPs will be directly elected by universal franchise .
2 June 2009, from the West African economic community of W African states (ECOWAS) approved the amendment to the single currency of the road map,Quasi - 2020 and the launch of the single currency begin 2 June 2009, from the West African economic community of W African states (ECOWAS) approved the amendment to the single currency of the road map,Quasi - 2020 and the launch of the single currency begin . 6 October 2009 in the western part of the Community Rapid Reaction Forces logistics exercises for the first time, this means that the West will have unified armed forces, regional collective defense Takes Prototype, which is beneficial to West Africa in combating drug trafficking, trafficking, piracy and other transnational criminal activities, and ensure personnel safety and smooth flow of cargo 6 October 2009 in the western part of the Community Rapid Reaction Forces logistics exercises for the first time, this means that the West will have unified armed forces, regional collective defense Takes Prototype, which is beneficial to West Africa in combating drug trafficking, trafficking, piracy and other transnational criminal activities, and ensure personnel safety and smooth flow of cargo .
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The Organization
highest organ of power, is held annually by the Executive Chairman of highest organ of power, is held annually by the Executive Chairman of . each presidency, for a term of one year each presidency, for a term of one year .
by each Member State of the two ministers to meet twice a year, is responsible for supervising the functioning of the Community institutions, for review and adoption by the Executive Secretariat and the special recommendations of the Committee is responsible for handling day - to - day affairs of the Community's by each Member State of the two ministers to meet twice a year, is responsible for supervising the functioning of the Community institutions, for review and adoption by the Executive Secretariat and the special recommendations of the Committee is responsible for handling day - to - day affairs of the Community's . .
6, responsible for the Council of Ministers prepared to report on the work, for consideration by the Council of Ministers to submit plans by 6, responsible for the Council of Ministers prepared to report on the work, for consideration by the Council of Ministers to submit plans by . 7 consists of a Chief Justice, is responsible for the supervision of the Member States to abide by the treaty and relevant laws of the States members of the mediation of the differences between 7 consists of a Chief Justice, is responsible for the supervision of the Member States to abide by the treaty and relevant laws of the States members of the mediation of the differences between .
2000 November, headquartered in Abuja,a member of the Advisory Forum and 2000 November, headquartered in Abuja,a member of the Advisory Forum and . institution in January 2001, the parliament formally established, Malians Umm Ali Al - Noaimi, who was elected Speaker of the institution in January 2001, the parliament formally established, Malians Umm Ali Al - Noaimi, who was elected Speaker of the .
as well as cooperation, development and compensation funds, the Committee of West african Central Bank, the Economic Community of West African States and commercial banks in the as well as cooperation, development and compensation funds, the Committee of West african Central Bank, the Economic Community of West African States and commercial banks in the . 4 4.
Economic Cooperation
Intra - Regional Trade Liberalization
1, unprocessed products and traditional handicrafts trade liberalization shall comply with: A. originating in Member States;B. In this way, the commodity column;C, with the certificate of origin and the West African export declaration file 2, liberalization of trade in industrial products: since January 1, 1990, 10 years to reduce tariffs on industrial products and the same effect of taxation, to remove non - tariff barriers, must meet the following conditions: A. originating in Member States;B, pre - approval;C, with the certificate of origin and the West African export declaration
file (with the exception of Benin as well as the elimination of tariffs on industrial products, the majority of the States members of the raw product is only exempted the tariffs on file (with the exception of Benin as well as the elimination of tariffs on industrial products, the majority of the States members of the raw product is only exempted the tariffs on .
The Establishment Of A Common External Tariff
West African - affiliated eight French - speaking countries of the Economic Monetary Union on 1 January 2001, the establishment of a common external tariff, a tax rate of 4 kinds of the composition: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% West African - affiliated eight French - speaking countries of the Economic Monetary Union on 1 January 2001, the establishment of a common external tariff, a tax rate of 4 kinds of the composition: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% . most - favoured - nation (MFN) treatment, Member States may be administered in the territory of another Member State on the trade of most - favoured - nation (MFN) treatment, but has been given to a third country to the benefit of the tariff treatment shall not be higher than that of the Member States receive preferential treatment in the Member States and third countries outside the region between most - favoured - nation (MFN) treatment, Member States may be administered in the territory of another Member State on the trade of most - favoured - nation (MFN) treatment, but has been given to a third country to the benefit of the tariff treatment shall not be higher than that of the Member States receive preferential treatment in the Member States and third countries outside the region between .
tariffs to the benefit of the agreements should not derogate from the provisions of the treaty obligations of the Member States relating to tariffs to the benefit of the agreements should not derogate from the provisions of the treaty obligations of the Member States relating to .
The Capital And The Free Movement Of Persons
co - building the Capital Committee, the Member States to ensure the free movement of capital without hindrance;West African body issuing cheques, payment to facilitate intra - regional trade;all from the West African residents do not need visas or entry permits, may enter any one Member State, and may accommodate not more than 90 days co - building the Capital Committee, the Member States to ensure the free movement of capital without hindrance;West African body issuing cheques, payment to facilitate intra - regional trade;all from the West African residents do not need visas or entry permits, may enter any one Member State, and may accommodate not more than 90 days .
Forty - One Agriculture And Industry
main area is the development of private enterprise, foreign investment is encouraged, but with substantial cooperation results less main area is the development of private enterprise, foreign investment is encouraged, but with substantial cooperation results less . cooperative agricultural situation is also similar, such as the establishment of some regional seed breeding and livestock center for the raising of the envisaged stranded cooperative agricultural situation is also similar, such as the establishment of some regional seed breeding and livestock center for the raising of the envisaged stranded .
Economic And Monetary Union
1, in the short term to eliminate currency NTB 1, in the short term to eliminate currency NTB . allows residents to use local currency to pay the airport tax, hotel bills and purchase a ticket, the majority of the Member States have reached this allows residents to use local currency to pay the airport tax, hotel bills and purchase a ticket, the majority of the Member States have reached this .
2 requires, in West Africa to exchange each other's currencies, which in turn led to the establishment of the single currency area 2 requires, in West Africa to exchange each other's currencies, which in turn led to the establishment of the single currency area . 3, co - ordination of economic and fiscal policy, the ultimate realization of the economic and monetary union 3, co - ordination of economic and fiscal policy, the ultimate realization of the economic and monetary union .
in the socio - economic areas, especially agriculture, transportation, telecommunications, energy and scientific research by adopting a common policy;monetary, financial and fiscal policy coordination;to establish the single regional central bank etc. 4 4.
Infrastructure
Traffic
West Highway Traffic priority plan is divided into two phases: the first involves construction of a trans - west - African Highway network;Each of the second stage is the main highway, so that the land - locked countries benefit from the first stage of the West Highway Traffic priority plan is divided into two phases: the first involves construction of a trans - west - African Highway network;Each of the second stage is the main highway, so that the land - locked countries benefit from the first stage of the . currently span coast to the building across the desert and steppe region highway construction were completed over 80 per cent of the currently span coast to the building across the desert and steppe region highway construction were completed over 80 per cent of the .
In addition, the establishment of private regional flights and shipping lines and railway interchange of ideas being explored or preparatory start In addition, the establishment of private regional flights and shipping lines and railway interchange of ideas being explored or preparatory start .
Telecommunications
The first stage of the telecommunications area is basically completed, capital between Member States via microwave links;a second stage for improved satellite and fiber optic connections in the area of the plan is yet to start The first stage of the telecommunications area is basically completed, capital between Member States via microwave links;a second stage for improved satellite and fiber optic connections in the area of the plan is yet to start .
Energy
1, power 1, power . in the Member States and constructing dams and coal - fired generation, members of the grid of interconnected power grids and establish a reserve in the Member States and constructing dams and coal - fired generation, members of the grid of interconnected power grids and establish a reserve .
currently most of the projects, the lack of funds could not start currently most of the projects, the lack of funds could not start . 2, West African gas pipeline project from 2, West African gas pipeline project from .
Wali of Nigeria by Benin, Ghana and Togo to the Ivorian border, currently (2012) is on the 3 do among Wali of Nigeria by Benin, Ghana and Togo to the Ivorian border, currently (2012) is on the 3 do among ., renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy development and cooperation, renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy development and cooperation.
Other
1, including the regional environmental protection water - floating weed control plan, plan, desert prevention, water resource management plans and meteorological program etc., but many fund - raising plans are in phase, and not actually implement 2, society, culture, tourism, regional security cooperation on 2, society, culture, tourism, regional security cooperation on .
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Relevant Event
on April 5, 2012, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on behalf of the States members of the army chief of staff in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan an "urgent meeting" to discuss the ECOWAS force specific "Battle Action", to help restore Mali's peace and security, took the chair of the Ivorian Defence on April 5, 2012, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on behalf of the States members of the army chief of staff in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan an "urgent meeting" to discuss the ECOWAS force specific "Battle Action", to help restore Mali's peace and security, took the chair of the Ivorian Defence . Assistant Minister Paul Koffi Koffi said at the opening ceremony, should develop and garrison the West African specific combat action, to try to help restore Mali's constitutional order and to stop a rebel advance Assistant Minister Paul Koffi Koffi said at the opening ceremony, should develop and garrison the West African specific combat action, to try to help restore Mali's constitutional order and to stop a rebel advance .
He asked military leaders through the enactment of the "road map", including budget, schedule,States share the dispatched workers, the number of each of the formation of scale, logistics support and mandate of the operation is described here, He asked military leaders through the enactment of the "road map", including budget, schedule,States share the dispatched workers, the number of each of the formation of scale, logistics support and mandate of the operation is described here, . 7 IRA Chief of Staff of the Ivorian Bakayoko 26 July 2012 in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) force is ready to set sail to Mali to help maintain the territorial integrity of Mali 7 IRA Chief of Staff of the Ivorian Bakayoko 26 July 2012 in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) force is ready to set sail to Mali to help maintain the territorial integrity of Mali .
Bakayoko, who founded the ECOWAS chiefs of the meeting's closing ceremony, said: "West of 3,000 military personnel is at the ready, waiting for a U.N. Security Council authorization of " according to Mali's Transitional Government and the United Nations to the agreements,West African troops to be sent to the 3,000 of their mission to help Mali recover its territorial integrity maintenance " according to Mali's Transitional Government and the United Nations to the agreements,West African troops to be sent to the 3,000 of their mission to help Mali recover its territorial integrity maintenance .
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