Yaoundé, 9 October 2026 (ECA) – Ambassadors and regional partners have called for stronger political ownership of reforms under Central Africa’s Decade of Economic Diversification and closer cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Meeting in Yaoundé on 8 October ahead of the 42nd session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE), participants praised the work of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa and its impact across the countries it serves.
The Ambassadors’ Dialogue was chaired by Paul Tasong, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development. He also chairs the Bureau of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the ECA’s statutory body. The dialogue aimed to review the Office’s results, discuss subregional priorities and strengthen diplomatic support for its initiatives.
“Ambassadors play a pivotal in bringing ECA’s work, advocacy and major initiatives to the attention of decision-makers in their countries,” Minister Tasong said.
The meeting brought together ambassadors from Central African countries, the Secretary-General of Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations, and representatives of regional economic communities, subregional financing institutions, UN agencies with regional mandates and technical cooperation organisations. The European Union and the International Chamber of Commerce were among the partners represented.
In his opening remarks, Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa, highlighted the purpose of the meeting: “This dialogue helps us align ECA’s expertise more closely with countries’ priorities. Working with ambassadors should help us deliver support with greater impact at the country level.”
A review of the Office’s activity report highlighted the support provided in 2026 to countries, regional economic communities and the private sector. Ambassadors commended the Office’s work and expressed their readiness to bring its initiatives to the attention of decision-makers and advocate for further development support.
“We commend the quality of ECA’s work and its support for countries across the subregion, particularly my own country, the Central African Republic. Closer cooperation with ambassadors will help us communicate this support more effectively to our national authorities,” said Her Excellency Jeanne Marcelle Gotchanga, Ambassador of the Central African Republic to Cameroon.
The Secretary-General of Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations assured ECA that the Ministry would remain receptive to its initiatives.
Discussions also covered green financing; labour mobility as an economic dimension of the free movement of people; the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); economic corridors; mobile roaming without additional charges, or “free roaming”; and human rights in the mining sector. Participants recognised ECA’s expertise on these issues of regional integration and structural transformation, on the strength of its work across the subregion and at continental level.
Participants emphasised the need for stronger political ownership of ECA’s analysis, work and advocacy to translate them into concrete action on regional integration and economic diversification.
“Political ownership is essential if technical recommendations are to lead to action. Our goal is to support countries and regional economic communities in implementing reforms that advance economic diversification,” Mastaki said.
Pierre-Guillaume Boum Bissai, Representative of the Commission of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), invited ECA to consider holding a dialogue on political ownership of reforms and ECA’s policy advocacy alongside an ICSOE session. The proposal aims to accelerate progress under the Decade of Economic Diversification.
Reflecting ICSOE 2026’s focus on accelerating reforms to strengthen the private sector, he also called for revitalising the Business Climate Observatory established under CEMAC’s Economic and Financial Reform Programme (PREF-CEMAC).
Minister Tasong reviewed the steps taken since assuming the chairmanship of the Conference Bureau following its 2026 session in Tangier, Morocco. He reiterated the importance of ambassadors helping to bring ECA’s work and major initiatives to the attention of national decision-makers.
He highlighted ECA’s Sustainable Health Financing Initiative, which seeks to integrate health financing into national economic and budgetary priorities.
“I call on ambassadors to encourage health ministers in their respective countries to take part in implementing ECA’s Sustainable Health Financing Initiative. This is vital to building human capital and advancing the structural transformation of our countries,” Minister Tasong said.
Closing the meeting, Minister Tasong highlighted Cameroon’s responsibilities in chairing the Bureau of the Conference of Ministers. Ambassadors and representatives of regional economic communities, UN agencies and partner organisations congratulated the Minister and expressed appreciation for his commitment.
Issued by:
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Economic Commission for Africa
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E-mail: eca-info@un.org