SAARC Competitors

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 52 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Find us online at: www.unescap.org

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa's rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African states as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Our Headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The vision of the African Union is that of: “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. Our mission is to become “An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”. The values that guide and govern our function and operations are: • Respect for diversity and teamwork • Think Africa above all; • Transparency and accountability • Integrity and Impartiality; • Efficiency and Professionalism; and • Information and Knowledge sharing

ECOWAS in Brief The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen countries, founded in 1975. Its mission is to promote economic integration in "all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters ....." The Institutions of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) are as follows: The Commission The Community Parliament The Community Court OF Justice ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) The ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, more often called The Fund are its two main institutions designed to implement policies, pursue a number of programmes and carry out development projects in Member States. Such projects include intra-community road construction and telecommunications; and agricultural, energy and water resources development.