The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, will lead a high-level delegation to the west of Côte d'Ivoire in the Cavally, Guemon and Tonkpi regions from 23 to 27 February 2014.



The delegation will comprise of representatives of United Nations agencies, namely the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.



During the five-day field visit, Mrs Mindaoudou and her delegation will hold discussions with local authorities, civil society organisations, community and traditional leaders, representatives of youth groups and women's associations, as well as officials from the region. The aim of these discussions is to explore ways and means in which the United Nations can provide the appropriate support and assistance to address the main concerns in the region in an effort to promote social cohesion. The mission is part of the Special Representative's efforts to support national reconciliation, social cohesion, the restoration of confidence between the different actors and the national dialogue necessary to strengthen security, stability and lasting peace. Mrs Mindaoudou and her delegation will go to Man, Duékoué, Guiglo, San Pedro, Tabou and Daloa.



Resolution 2112 of the United Nations Security Council asks all the United Nations entities present in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, including all the components of UNOCI and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), to strengthen the support they provide to stabilise the border region, by working in close cooperation, defining one vision and one common strategy to assist the Ivorian and Liberian authorities, within the limits of their mandate and capacities in their areas of deployment.



In this regard, the United Nations has reinforced its presence in the concerned regions in terms of humanitarian assistance and security support. UNOCI and the United Nations agencies have also rehabilitated several public infrastructures such local government offices, police stations and buildings used by the gendarmerie that were destroyed during the post-electoral crisis. In addition, the United Nations is committed to mobilising funds to redouble its development activities in the region.