4. Speeches by Countries All States acknowledged that statelessness is a relevant and important issue in West Africa. Most States emphasized the detrimental consequences of statelessness on human beings (including The Gambia, Nigeria). Sierra Leone drew a parallel between the exclusion caused by Ebola and statelessness. States also stressed the harmful consequences on country’s development (Ghana), and security (Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria). Based on its security context, Nigeria indicated that identity and citizenship lie at the heart of its national concerns. States emphasized that statelessness stems from gaps in nationality legislation and low rate of birth registration. They also stressed (in particular Ghana, Niger) that protracted migration, including refugee situations, can contribute to statelessness. The majority of States agreed that they should conduct reforms to end statelessness, many indicating that they are already underway (including Senegal and Ghana); Guinea meanwhile suggested, as a solution to statelessness, that all countries adopt the jus soli principle. States generally supported a partnership approach to eradicate statelessness, Liberia recommended that Heads of ECOWAS member States opt for a joint action plan, and Côte d’Ivoire expressly supported UNHCR’s ten- year campaign to end statelessness. Liberia and Sierra Leone reported their efforts to integrate and naturalize refugees respectively from Sierra Leone and Liberia, while Mali pledged to naturalize Mauritanian refugees.