Katiola, 38th edition of United Nations Days: Special Representative welcomes the social cohesion which reigns in the town

« I am very pleased to see that there is social cohesion between the people of Katiola » declared the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire (SRSG), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Wednesday, 4 March 2015 in Katiola.

The Special Representative is in the capital of Hambol Region, situated at 422 km from Abidjan, in the centre-north of Côte d'Ivoire to take part in the 38th edition of United Nations Days (UN Days) which is being held there from 3 to 5 March 2015.

The Special Representative and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is being accompanied by the heads of United Nations agencies, including the Country Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO), Mr. Ydo Yao, the Country Representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Dr Modibo Traoré, the Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr. Mayouya André.

In Katiola, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou and her delegation held working sessions with local government authorities, traditional chiefs, as well as with elected representatives and local dignitaries of the department. During the discussions, different speakers stressed their willingness to work to create the right conditions for the holding of free, regular, transparent and open elections. They also said they were committed to preserving and strengthening social cohesion which already exists in their area.

People's expectations in terms of security and development were also highlighted by the vice-president of the Regional Council, Mr. Antia Koné, and supported by the Mayor of Katiola, Mr. Camara Thomas.

Since the start of the 38th edition of UN Days in Katiola on 3 March 2015, activities such as voluntary HIV/AIDS testing, blood donation, workshops with members of women's association and youth groups, elected representatives and executives, teachers, security forces, the media, as well as ex-combatants. On the evening of the 3rd March, screenings of different sensitization films on the United Nations were organized for the public. The following day, 4 March, started with a school sensitization caravan followed by an exhibition of UN stands. With regard to sports activities, the Special Representative and her delegation visited a women's handball team in the afternoon. Mrs Mindaoudou also met with women potters who had gathered at the "House of Pottery" which was rehabilitated in February 2014 with UNOCI's assistance. On Thursday, 5 March, the Special Representative will participate in a public forum, which will be held at the Cultural Centre with the people of Katiola and during which recommendations and commitments made by participants of the different workshops held on 3rd March will be presented.

United Nations Days offers an opportunity for have discussions with local authorities, traditional leaders, elected representatives and local executives as well as people from the region to explain the mandate and activities of the Mission and the United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire and engage them further in working to promote social cohesion and national reconciliation with the aim of creating the rights conditions for the holding of peaceful elections in 2015.