The Embassy of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire in Australia Friday night celebrated the 59th anniversary of the independence of the Republic with national zeal and fervour in Canberra.
Ms Jeanne Guehet, Ambassador of Republic of Cote d’ivoire along with Embassy staff hosted Independence Day Reception which was attended by the Ambassadors and High Commissioners, diplomatic missions staff, members of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Ms Jenny Cartmill, Acting A/G Chief of Protocol and members of the Cote d’Ivoire community.
Ms Jeanne Guehet, Ambassador of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire while welcoming the distinguished guests delivered a speech highlighting the achievement since 2011, the year that marks the end of the 2010 post-electoral crisis and the accession to power of President Alassane Ouattara.
“Under the governance of President Alassane, Côte d’Ivoire has revived economic growth and international prestige”, she said.
She especially mentioned the economic turnaround in the Republic since 2011 as economy grow with 7 % GDP in 2018 and 7.2% in 2019 according to the projections.
“Despite this performance, the challenge regarding the fair redistribution of the benefits of growth in favour of the most vulnerable Ivorians, namely the youth, women and rural population, remains a concern for the Ivorian Authorities”, she admitted.
Ambassador also highlighted several measures aiming at alleviating poverty.
“Government is implementing the Youth- Employment Desks projects which offer 500,000 employment opportunities to the Youth over fiscal year 2019-2020, and aim at meeting the crucial issue of illegal migration”, she told the guests.
Ambassador Jeanne praises the stable security situation which is must for the economic growth to remain sustainable.
“ The safety index has improved from 3.4 in 2012 to 1.3 by the end of 2018, over a scale of 5, thanks to the reforms of the army and security forces”, she pointed adding Côte d’Ivoire remains vigilant about terrorism which is a global threat that spares no country.
She avail the opportunity to express her gratitude to the Government of Australia for their support in the election of Côte d’Ivoire as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
On the upcoming general elections in the country, she assured the world that 2020 elections will be fully opened, transparent and peaceful.
“Ivorian People and political stakeholders, have learnt their lessons from the 2010 post-electoral crisis. They have reached a democratic maturity to play the political game safely”, Ambassador Jeanne asserted.
Praising bilateral ties with Australia, she said the relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Australia are promising. At the economic, level several Australian Mining companies operate in Côte d’Ivoire. I am grateful to Newcrest, though it is leaving Côte d’Ivoire, Perseus Mining, Lycopodium, Mako Gold and all the others for their contribution to the economic growth of Côte d’Ivoire.
Ambassador also encouraged the community members to always remain loyal to the country, the Authorities and the People of Australia that have welcomed them.
