Mano River Union partners conference: Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General recalls the importance of security for the well-being of the population

The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Côte d'Ivoire, Arnauld Akodjènou, on Thursday, 12 June 2014, participated in a conference for partners of the Mano River Union (MRU) organised by the Union's Secretariat, in collaboration with the United Nations Office in West Africa (UNOWA) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking after the conference, Mr. Akodjènou said it was important for the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), to participate in such a gathering whose focus is on security. « Security and the protection of civilians are key elements of UNOCI's mandate. In addition the initiative of this strategy is to support the United Nations System », he said.

Recalling the importance of Côte d'Ivoire's western borders, the Deputy Special Representative made a plea for the strengthening of the commitment of the MRU's partners, because he believes that security and stability along the country's borders are critical for the well-being of the population, as well as the consolidation of peace in Côte d'Ivoire and the whole of the sub-region.

The MRU partners conference on the implementation of a security strategy for border areas, was attended by members of the Governments of Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, and representatives of Guinea and Sierra Leone, as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (ADB), the European Union, OACI. Representatives of the private sector in the sub-region and United Nations agencies also took part in the meeting.