Visit of the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate, and a parliamentary delegation, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and Republic of Benin

 

From March 4 to 9, 2024 the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, led a parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Benin. The delegation was made up of the Honourable Claude Carignan, P.C., Senator, the Honourable Marie-Françoise Mégie, Senator, and the Honourable Amina Gerba, Senator. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Sarah Boukhouali, Political Advisor, Office of the Speaker, and Mr. Kevin Pittman, Secretary to the delegation.

In the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, the delegation met with the following officials:

• His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire;
• The Right Honourable Kandia Kamissoko Camara, President of the Senate of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire;
• His Excellency Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research;
• His Excellency Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade and Industry;
• Professor Zié Ballo, President of the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny;
• Mr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve, Chairman of the Regional Stock Exchange; and
• Mr. Alain Kouadio, President of the Canada-Côte d'Ivoire Chamber of Commerce.

During their stay in Côte d'Ivoire, the delegation visited the Bénédicte Janine Kacou Diagou Foundation where they met Canadian artists in residence. Members of the delegation also visited the Rainbow Conviviality Reception Centre to discuss equity, inclusion and diversity in Côte d'Ivoire. The delegation took part in a round table discussion at the Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, where they discussed the issues and challenges of a changing world and the challenge of innovation. Members of the delegation also attended the opening of the Regional Stock Exchange where a memorandum of understanding with the Montreal Stock Exchange was being signed.

In Cotonou, Benin, the delegation met with the following officials:

• Her Excellency Mariam Chabi Talata, Vice-President of the Republic of Benin;
• Mr. Louis Vlavonou, President of the National Assembly of Benin;
• His Excellency Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Her Excellency Véronique Tognifodé, Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance;
• His Excellency Yvon Detchenou, Minister of Justice and Legislation;
• Her Excellency Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, Minister of Digital Affairs and Digitalisation;
• His Excellency Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health;
• Mr. Bernard Houngnibo, Coordinator of the Benin-Canada Interparliamentary Friendship Group;
• Ms. Djamilatou Sabi Mohamed, President of the Caucus of Women Parliamentarians of Benin; and
• Professor Félicien Avlessi, Rector of the University of Abomey-Calavi.

In Benin, the delegation visited the Zè Training and Apprenticeship Centre and the Industrial Zone of Glo-Djigbe to exchange views with government authorities on the reform of technical education and vocational training in Benin. The delegation also visited major tourist sites in the town of Ouidah and met with officials to learn how Benin is reclaiming its history and putting it forward to develop its tourism. During their stay in Ouidah, the delegation also benefitted from the opportunity to learn about the JOHN SMITH International Cultural Centre, the sacred forest of Voodoo culture, the slave route memorial trail, and the Indigo Museum.

The objectives of the visit to Côte d'Ivoire and Benin were to strengthen bilateral relations, promote democratic values and Canadian interests, enhance trade and investment relations, and explore opportunities for future cooperation as members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. The delegation also discussed the role of women in politics, the realities of misinformation and online violence, Canada's ability to play a leading role on the world stage and the emergence and wide-ranging use of artificial intelligence.

The report will be available as soon as it is tabled in the Senate.