Abidjan, 20 May 2012... A delegation of the United Nations Security Council arrived in Abidjan on Sunday 20 May for a three-day visit to Côte d'Ivoire.

The delegation was welcomed by the Ivorian Foreign Minister, Mr. Daniel Kablan Duncan, the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Bert Koenders, other officials of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and many heads of UN agencies.

It will assess progress made in Côte d'Ivoire in various areas, including
security-sector reform, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, the humanitarian and security situations, the strengthening of the rule of law and national reconciliation.

The Security Council delegation will meet Côte d'Ivoire's President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as representatives of other state institutions, civil society, political parties, the population and the United Nations.

Côte d'Ivoire is the second leg of a visit by the Security Council to three West African countries that began in Liberia. It is expected in Sierra Leone, the final leg of its visit to the region, on the morning of Wednesday 23 May.