The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

They discussed progress achieved since the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, the reconfiguration of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and the situation in Guinea-Bissau. The Secretary-General welcomed gestures from the Ivorian Government toward the political opposition and encouraged continued efforts in the area of human rights and accountability, including for sexual and gender-based violations. He commended President Ouattara for his leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and thanked him for Côte d’Ivoire’s contributions to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The Secretary-General further noted that he had selected Côte d’Ivoire as a pilot for the implementation of the United Nations’ durable solutions strategy. The strategy aims at supporting efforts to help returnees rebuild their lives in a secure environment, with basic social services.