Following an election held during the 16th Consultation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Civil Protection Agency Leaders in Accra, Ghana, from May 20 to 22, 2025, Côte d’Ivoire has been elected to the presidency of the West African Regional Disaster Management Committee (GECEAO) for a two-year term.

This appointment was received with honor by the Ivorian representative, Dr. Touré Kader, Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PN-RRC).

Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Robert Beugré Mambé, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s Interministerial DRR Committee, the PN-RRC Executive Secretary expressed deep gratitude to all the member country delegations of GECEAO for their trust in Côte d’Ivoire. After acknowledging the Prime Minister's vision and his unwavering support, he emphasized that the decision by member state representatives to elect his country to lead the regional organization is clear recognition of the Ivorian government’s efforts in DRR at both institutional and operational levels.

As the newly elected President of GECEAO on behalf of Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Touré Kader reassured representatives of ECOWAS member states of the measures the country intends to implement to meet expectations and fully assume its responsibilities at the head of the organization.

He also expressed his eagerness to welcome GECEAO members to Côte d’Ivoire and, above all, to propose a work plan that will enable member states to successfully carry out activities during the 2025–2026 period.

It should be noted that this 16th GECEAO consultation meeting was organized by the ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in partnership with United Nations organizations and the International Red Cross. Its objectives included evaluating the progress made by ECOWAS on the recommendations of the GECEAO mid-term consultation held in Abuja from September 10 to 12, 2024, reviewing the roadmap and dashboard for regional recovery, and strengthening disaster coordination and community resilience in the region.

As a reminder, the last consultation was held in May 2023 in Niamey, Niger, where Ghana was elected to the presidency of GECEAO.