The second edition of the Abidjan Border Forum (ABF), co-organized by the African Union (AU) Commission and the National Commission on Borders of Côte d'Ivoire (CNFCI), opened on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Abidjan Exhibition Park. The theme for this year's forum is "Green Borders: Shared Natural Resources and Security Challenges."

The event was attended by prominent figures, including Vagondo Diomandé, the Minister of Interior and Security, representing Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé; Bankole Adeoye, the AU Peace and Security Commission Chairperson, representing the AU Commission Chairperson; Massandjé Touré Litsé, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economy and Agriculture; and Diakalidia Konaté, the ABF Commissioner and Executive Secretary of CNFCI.

During the ceremony, Diakalidia Konaté announced that the Abidjan Border Forum 2024 expects 5,000 participants, including delegations from regional, sub-regional, and national structures responsible for border governance from across Africa. The attendees will include promoters, academics, practitioners, students, media representatives, and actors from civil society.

In addition to two thematic panels, a high-level panel, conferences, B2B meetings, networking opportunities, and cultural activities, exhibitors have reserved stands to showcase their companies, organizations, and initiatives.

Matthias Veltin, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, whose country is a technical and financial partner of the ABF, along with ECOWAS Commissioner Massandjé Touré Litsé, reiterated their commitment to support the forum in achieving integrated management of Africa's borders.

The official opening ceremony of this pan-African gathering of border stakeholders was also marked by an inaugural conference delivered by Bankole Adeoye.