Bouaké, the capital of Gbéké region , on Friday 24 October 2014, played host to the activities commemorating the 69th anniversary of the United Nations Charter. The delegation of the United Nations family, led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Charles Diby Koffi and the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Désirée Ouloto, who represented the Ivorian Government.



Speaking in front of elected officials, administrative, traditional and religious authorities and hundreds of people from Bouaké and surrounding areas who attended the official ceremony, Mrs Mindaoudou delivered the message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon which outlined the many challenges facing the world this year. Nations Unies. These included the exploitation of people in deplorable conditions, victims of forced labour, sexual slavery and terrible working conditions. The UN Secretary-General appealed for a renewed commitment from all in order "to make the marginalised masters of their destiny".

Minister Diby Koffi, who represented the Government praised the actions and accompaniment of United Nations agencies in Côte d'Ivoire with regard to its cooperation with the Ivorian Government. This accompaniment of the United Nations, he explained, can be seen in the Organisation's assistance in the security sector, law and order, governance and the development of basic social services as well as food security. "Côte d'Ivoire welcomes this multisectoral cooperation with the United Nations". The commemoration of the 24 October this year, continued the Minister of Foreign Affairs, comes at a crucial time when countries in the sub-region are facing the terrible illness, Ebola Virus Disease. This calls on the UN to make a commitment to mobilising the international community to do all it can to contain this disease. In this regard, the Minister announced that Côte d'Ivoire had contributed $1 million to a fund set up by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).



UN Day was also marked by a ceremony to donate books to the library of Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké. During the ceremony, the Special Representative agreed to a request from the president of the university, Mr. Lazare Poame, for a partnership with the United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire. "This action reinforces the United Nations commitment to support lecturers and students in their search for excellence in order to make peace a real science," said Mr. Poame.

One of the highlights of UN Day in Bouaké was a medal parade ceremony for 33 UN police officers serving with UNOCI in recognition of the commitment to work for the implementation og the Mission's mandate. The medal recipients who came from 14 troop contributing countries were decorated by the Special Representative who paid homage to them. She urged the UN police officers to scrupulously respect the United Nations code by always taking into account the culture and traditions of the people that they serve on a daily basis. Mrs Mindaoudou thanked the administrative authorities, religious and traditional leaders, as well as the people of Bouaké for their support to the UNPOL in carrying out their tasks.



The UN Day celebrations concluded with a visit to stands set up by UNOCI sections and UN agencies to explain their mandate and activities to participants at the event.