Pretoria – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded a successful trip to Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa from August 19 to 22, 2024.
In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Minister Joly met with the Vice-President, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, and highlighted the friendship between Côte d’Ivoire and Canada as well as the commercial exchanges and people-to-people ties that make both countries stronger. Minister Joly also met with Wautabouna Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, to deepen the bilateral relationship, including collaboration through La Francophonie. Minister Joly also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Ivorian government to strengthen economic cooperation and partnerships.
Minister Joly also met with Minister of State and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, and discussed regional and global peace and security as well as Canada’s support to the Académie internationale de lutte contre le terrorisme.
While in Abidjan, Minister Joly announced an additional $1 million to the World Health Organization to the current $2 million contribution from Canada to its Contingency Fund for Emergencies for urgent mpox response efforts on the African continent. The announcement further demonstrated Canada’s leadership on global health in the region. This announcement followed Minister Joly’s visit to the Direction de la coordination du Programme élargi de vaccination in Treichville, where she met with the minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, Pierre N’Gou Dimba.
In Pretoria, South Africa, Minister Joly met with South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ronald Lamola. The ministers exchanged views on international peace and stability, and the high value both countries place on democracy. Minister Joly also highlighted Canada’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation, economic ties and opportunities to collaborate as Canada and South Africa will preside over the G7 and G20, respectively, in 2025.
During her visit to South Africa, Minister Joly also underscored a sovereign loan of $120 million to South Africa and a $6.5 million technical assistance grant delivered through the World Bank, which was announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at the G7 Summit in June 2024, to support a South African-led transition to safe, secure, and affordable sources of clean energy.
“As Canada works to build stronger and more robust partnerships with African countries, my visits to Côte d’Ivoire, a friend and important Francophonie partner, and South Africa, a valued partner on democracy and security, represent a significant step in fostering collaboration. I look forward to continuing to work with the respective governments of Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa to support mutually beneficial partnerships.” – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs