As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Côte d'Ivoire and Vietnam, a high-level seminar was held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the theme: "Political and Economic Cooperation between Vietnam and Côte d'Ivoire: Achievements and Future Prospects."

The event was chaired by H.E. Mr. YAPI Koffi Evariste, Secretary General of the Ministry, representing Minister Léon Kacou ADOM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad. It brought together prominent figures, including H.E. Mr. VU HONG Thanh, Vice-President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, and the Honorable WOI Mela Gaston, Vice-President of the Ivorian National Assembly.

Also in attendance were ministerial representatives, members of the Ivorian private sector, and Vietnamese business operators.

The seminar was initiated by H.E. Mrs. LÊ Kim Quy, Ambassador of Vietnam to Côte d'Ivoire, based in Rabat, Morocco. It aimed to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

In his speech, Secretary General YAPI Evariste praised the vibrant trade relationship, especially in the cashew sector, and reiterated Côte d'Ivoire’s intention to expand cooperation into agro-industry, ICT, housing, and investment.

Ambassador LÊ Kim Quy urged private companies from both countries to strengthen partnerships, emphasizing the benefits of technology transfer and shared expertise in innovative sectors.

For his part, Mr. VU HONG Thanh stressed the need for a favorable legal framework, calling for the removal of cooperation barriers and advocating for Côte d'Ivoire to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese companies into the African market.

The seminar featured four presentations delivered by Mr. HO Sy Hung, Deputy Minister of Finance of Vietnam; Mr. NGUYEN Hai Nam, Standing Member of the Economic Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly; Mr. DIABY Sékou, representative of Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development; and Mr. YAO Germain, representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire.

The speakers addressed topics such as bilateral economic relations, opportunities under the AfCFTA, cross-investments, and the role of the private sector, all with the goal of fostering a sustainable economic partnership that benefits both nations.