Report: Monday September 21 2026

Politics, Economy, Security, Society

COUNTRY: Cote d’Ivoire

 Politics

Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné will represent President Ouattara at the 81st UN General Assembly

Vice President Tiémoko Koné travelled from Abidjan to New York on September 20, 2026, to represent President Alassane Ouattara at the 81st Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The General Debate is scheduled for September 22-28 and is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, accompanying transformations: a United Nations at the service of all.” During the General Debate, Koné is expected to deliver Côte d’Ivoire’s statement and present the country’s views on major challenges facing global governance and international cooperation.

The Vice President will also participate in several high-level meetings and events organized on the margins of the General Assembly. Foreign Minister Nialé Kaba is also in New York as part of the Ivorian delegation and is participating in discussions on major international issues. Côte d’Ivoire’s participation reflects the government’s stated commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, while providing an opportunity to articulate its positions on global governance and other international priorities.

Cooperation/Economy/Security

Côte d’Ivoire and UN reportedly launched a practical guide to strengthen coordination of UN interventions

A practical guide designed to improve understanding of the United Nations system and strengthen coordination among its interventions in Côte d’Ivoire was presented on September 18, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abidjan. The “Practical Guide to the UN Operational System” was initiated by Switzerland in coordination with the UN system and explains the structure and functions of the various UN agencies, funds, programmes, and institutions operating in Côte d’Ivoire. It also outlines their respective roles, financing mechanisms, coordination arrangements, and mandates within the country, in line with the 2026–2030 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Swiss Ambassador Dominique Favre said the initiative seeks to maximize synergies among the various actors working in Côte d’Ivoire, while UN Resident Coordinator Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga stressed that multiple crises and limited resources require more coordinated cooperation focused on visible, measurable, and sustainable results. Foreign Minister Nialé Kaba highlighted the importance of understanding the respective roles of UN agencies, funds, and programmes to improve the effectiveness of international cooperation. The ceremony also showcased inter-agency initiatives in areas including human capital, employment, environment, equal opportunities, and improving living conditions.

U.S-Côte d’Ivoire: two american experts have been honored by the national Gendarmerie

The Commander of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Gendarmerie, General of Army Corps Alexandre Apalo Touré, honored two American experts, Sudakshina Kouda and Jeremy Boulware, for their contribution to strengthening the capabilities of Ivorian gendarmes, particularly in the fight against terrorism. The two experts received the Bronze Medal of the National Gendarmerie during a ceremony held on September 17, 2026, at the Abidjan Gendarmerie School. Their recognition reflects their involvement in training personal from specialized gendarmerie units and strengthening their operational capabilities.

The ceremony also highlighted the broader security partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the United States. Junaid Munira, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, welcomed the distinction as a symbol of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the embassy’s intention to continue cooperating with the National Gendarmerie. The security cooperation includes training programs and specialized equipment support for Côte d’Ivoire’s Intervention Unit of the National Gendarmerie (UIGN), particularly in the context of strengthening the country’s capacity to counter terrorism.

Canada-Côte d’Ivoire : Canada is supporting social infrastructure and community resilience in northern Côte d’Ivoire

Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Choufany, visited on September 16, 2026, social infrastructure developed at the urban health centre in Togonieré, in the Ferkessédougou department, with financial support from Canada. The visit brought together representatives of UNFPA, UNICEF, Action Against Hunger (ACF), local authorities, health officials, and community representatives. According to the head of the health centre, the facilities implemented by ACF with Canadian funding have improved patient reception and care while providing health workers with a more suitable, modern, and secure working environment. AIP

Also, the local community welcomed Canada’s continued support for social initiatives in the Palaka canton and Ferkessédougou department. Ambassador Choufany expressed satisfaction with the impact of the investments on local populations and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the resilience of communities in the Tchologo region. The visit also provided an opportunity for the Canadian delegation to meet local authorities and beneficiaries to discuss how the facilities are being used and identify remaining community needs

Japan-Côte d’Ivoire : Côte d’Ivoire has explored the KOSEN model for technical education

Recently, Côte d’Ivoire and Japan held an online conference on September 17, 2026, to examine Japan’s National Institutes of Technology (KOSEN) model and its potential application in Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative, attended by Ivorian Education Minister N’Guessan Koffi and Japanese Ambassador Gomakubo Junji, forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in technical education and human-resource development. The KOSEN system provides an integrated five-year technical education programme, combining classroom instruction with practical laboratory work, engineering projects, and close links with industry. Japan currently has 51 public KOSEN institutions.

The discussions focused on how the model could be adapted to Côte d’Ivoire’s economic and technological priorities. Minister N’Guessan Koffi identified renewable energy, agriculture, mechatronics, robotics, and other advanced technologies as potential areas for development, while emphasizing the need to align technical training more closely with labour-market and industry requirements. The participants also examined Egypt’s experience with its EJ-KOSEN institution, opened in 2025, as an example of how the Japanese model can be adapted to an African context. The initiative therefore represents a potential avenue for Côte d’Ivoire-Japan cooperation in technical education, industrial skills development, and youth employability.

Saudi Arabia- Côte d’Ivoire: Defense Minister met with Saudi military commander in Jeddah

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, met Major General Ahmed bin Ali Al-Dabeis, Commander of Saudi Arabia’s Western Region, in Jeddah on September 19, 2026. The meeting took place during Ouattara’s private stay in Saudi Arabia and was described as an opportunity to strengthen personal and institutional ties developed over the years. No new military agreement or formal defense initiative was announced following the meeting. Koaci

The encounter comes amid broader efforts to strengthen and diversify Côte d’Ivoire-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations. On September 14, Foreign Minister Nialé Kaba met Saudi Ambassador Saad Bin Bakheat Alqathami in Abidjan to review bilateral cooperation and prospects for expanding collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The two countries have also been exploring stronger economic and development partnerships, including Saudi and Arab financial support for Côte d’Ivoire’s development priorities.

A delegation of Ivorian journalists visiting China went to the Great Wall of China

A delegation of Ivorian journalists visiting China experienced the Great Wall not only as a major tourist and cultural landmark but also as a symbol of resilience, perseverance, patience, and unity. Ly Aimé, head of the delegation, described the climb as a “lesson in life,” emphasizing that the effort required to progress step by step along the Wall reflects the challenges and stages of everyday life. The visit allowed the journalists to appreciate the Wall’s historical and cultural significance and the important place it occupies in China’s collective memory.

It is also said that the visit also provided an opportunity for cultural and human exchanges between the Ivorian delegation and Chinese people. On that occaasion, a Chinese linguistics student, Tang Xiying, highlighted the Great Wall’s symbolism of strength, persistence, resistance, and national unity, while expressing admiration for the journalists’ determination to complete the difficult climb.

Côte d’Ivoire launched AI training program for 3,000 technical education teachers

The Ivorian government has launched a program to train 3,000 teachers in artificial intelligence (AI) as part of efforts to modernize technical education and better align teaching with labour-market requirements. Officially launched on September 17, 2026, by Minister Delegate for Technical Education Jean-Louis Moulot at the Lycée Technique d’Abidjan, the initiative was developed in partnership with UNESCO. A three-month pilot phase will run from October 1 to December 30, 2026, initially involving 1,000 teachers in Abidjan. Nearly 2,000 teachers had already registered for the program by the time of its launch.

The training aims to help teachers incorporate AI into lesson preparation, the development of personalized exercises, and student assessment, while maintaining the human dimension of education. The initiative forms part of Côte d’Ivoire’s broader strategy to strengthen digital skills and develop qualified human capital capable of supporting the country’s industrialization. At the same time, the government recognizes the need for ethical and responsible use of AI, particularly regarding academic integrity and the risks associated with excessive reliance on emerging technologies. 

SOURCES

Cote d’Ivoire

Report on VP Tiemoko can be retrieved from Fraternité Matin, p.2; Linter, p.3

Agence Ivoirienne de Presse. (2026). La Grande Muraille, une leçon de résilience pour des journalistes ivoiriens en Chine.

Agence Ivoirienne de Presse. (2026). La Gendarmerie nationale distingue deux experts américains.

Agence Ivoirienne de Presse. (2026). Un guide élaboré pour mieux coordonner les interventions du système des Nations Unies.

Agence Ivoirienne de Presse. (2026). L’ambassadrice du Canada visite des infrastructures sociales réalisées à Togoniéré avec l’appui de son pays.

Koaci. (2026, September 18). Côte d’Ivoire : Conférence en ligne sur la présentation de l’enseignement technique au Japon, le cas des écoles nationales de technologie KOSEN.

 Sika Finance. (2026). Côte d’Ivoire : Le gouvernement lance la formation à l’IA de 3 000 professeurs de l’enseignement technique.