A delegation from Mali's Conseil Économique, Social, Environnemental et Culturel (CESEC), led by President Yacouba KATILÉ, participated in the Council of Administration and General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) in Madrid, Spain. The event took place from October 29 to an unspecified date. The assembly gathered economic and social councils from 27 countries worldwide.
The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Ioannis PAÏDAS and Anton COSTAS, the current AICESIS President and President of the Spanish Economic and Social Council, respectively. Key agenda items included the presentation and adoption of activity and financial reports for 2025, the state of partnership between the International Labor Organization (ILO) and AICESIS, and the establishment of new working groups with ECOSOC and ILO.
Apostolos XYRAFIS, AICESIS Secretary General, reviewed the organization's activities, including the Council of Administration and General Assembly in Serbia and participation in major global meetings such as the Economic Forum co-organized by China's Economic and Social Council in Shanghai in November 2024. He also noted that AICESIS's financial accounts are in good standing, despite some delays in member contributions.
The General Assembly approved the membership of Zimbabwe, Vietnam, and Peru's economic and social councils as observers. The central theme of AICESIS's Greek mandate is "Building Bridges for a Just Transition and Global Social Justice." The Maltese President of CESEC emphasized that this theme is crucial for Mali, highlighting the need to link peace with social justice and ensure access to essential services like education, healthcare, and employment.
Yacouba KATILÉ stressed that building bridges means connecting sovereignty with social inclusion, promoting decent job creation, local processing of raw materials, and financing social infrastructure. He advocated for international cooperation based on shared responsibility and respect for national sovereignty. KATILÉ's statements align with Mali's priorities for sustainable development and stability.
The next AICESIS General Assemblies will be held in Romania and South Korea between May and September 2027. The event in Madrid demonstrated AICESIS's commitment to fostering global dialogue and cooperation among economic and social councils.
Yacouba KATILÉ's participation in the AICESIS General Assembly underscores Mali's engagement in international efforts to promote social justice and sustainable development. His advocacy for shared responsibility and respect for national sovereignty reflects Mali's priorities in the global arena.
Key points
- Yacouba KATILÉ advocates for cooperation based on shared responsibility at the AICESIS General Assembly.
