To strengthen the bonds of fraternity, friendship, and cooperation, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Liberia held the seventh session of their joint cooperation commission on May 16 and 17, 2024, in Abidjan. His Excellency Mr. Leon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivoirians Abroad, led the Ivorian delegation, while Her Excellency Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, headed the Liberian delegation. During her visit, Madam Nyanti met with His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire, conveying a message of friendship and gratitude from Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.
On the sidelines of the session, Madam Nyanti and Mr. Adom discussed various bilateral, sub-regional, and international issues. They praised the strong friendship and cooperation between their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance these relations for the benefit of their peoples. Both ministers emphasized the need to revitalize the Mano River Union (MRU) to boost economic integration, following directives from their heads of state during President Boakai’s visit on March 7, 2024. They agreed to explore new cooperation areas and encourage private sector collaboration to seize opportunities in both countries.
The ministers highlighted their interest in deepening cooperation in diplomacy, security, education, vocational training, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, youth development, energy production and marketing, and cross-border collaboration. They also acknowledged the mutual respect between Presidents Ouattara and Boakai.
At the sub-regional level, the ministers expressed concern over the recurring terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, condemning these acts of violence that hinder development and traumatize populations.
Internationally, they discussed global crises and urged the United Nations to take swift action for peaceful and lasting resolutions.
The session concluded with the signing of six cooperation agreements in the discussed areas, demonstrating the dynamic cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. The ministers stressed the importance of implementing the session’s decisions and recommendations and expressed satisfaction with the friendly atmosphere during the discussions. They agreed to hold the eighth session of the joint commission in Liberia, with the date to be decided through diplomatic channels.
