Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed, in early January in Paris, its strategic priorities within the framework of its cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during an audience granted by the Organization’s new Director-General, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany, to the country’s Permanent Delegation.

The meeting, held on January 8, 2026, at UNESCO Headquarters, formed part of the consultations launched by the new head of the Organization with Member States, ahead of the implementation of his program entitled “UNESCO in the Service of Peoples.”

Led by Ambassador Bakayoko-Ly Ramata, Permanent Delegate of Côte d’Ivoire to UNESCO, the Ivorian delegation presented nine strategic priorities, reflecting the country’s key expectations across the Organization’s areas of intervention.

Discussions notably focused on strengthening the international standing and governance of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny–UNESCO Prize for Peace Research, one of the United Nations institution’s flagship distinctions. Côte d’Ivoire also emphasized the need for a stronger and more concrete implementation of the Priority Africa agenda, a central strategic pillar of UNESCO.

In the field of education, the Ambassador underlined the importance of continued UNESCO support for reforms stemming from Côte d’Ivoire’s National Education Conferences, particularly through the Basic Education Transformation Support Program (PATEB).

The Ivorian diplomat further conveyed her country’s expectations regarding UNESCO’s support for the organization of the National Culture Conferences, as well as for the protection and promotion of Ivorian World Heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage. She also highlighted the need to enhance the value of traditional know-how within cultural and creative industries, with a direct and positive impact anticipated for local communities.

Another issue raised concerned the role of the UNESCO Office in Abidjan, considered central to the implementation of the Organization’s programs in Côte d’Ivoire. In this regard, the Ivorian delegation called for strengthened human and technical resources to consolidate its action, particularly in executing the operational strategy of Priority Africa.

In response, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany praised Côte d’Ivoire’s consistent commitment to multilateralism and reaffirmed the importance of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny–UNESCO Prize for Peace Research, which he described as an “international showcase” of Ivorian leadership in promoting peace. He assured the delegation of UNESCO’s full support for the priorities expressed and pledged to mobilize the Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Priority Africa to enhance its visibility.

Ambassador Bakayoko-Ly Ramata reiterated Côte d’Ivoire’s readiness to support the Director-General in implementing his mandate and its determination to remain an engaged partner in steering UNESCO closer to peoples, sustainable peace, and human development.