The President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, called on Ivorians to embrace the ideals of peace upheld by President Félix Houphouët-Boigny and to always prioritize national interest above all else.

He made this appeal during the official ceremony for the awarding of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny UNESCO Peace Prize, held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Abidjan. The event was attended by numerous high-ranking dignitaries, including the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, the Director-General of UNESCO, representatives from several countries, heads of institutions, and the Prime Minister, Robert Beugré Mambé.

According to the Ivorian Head of State, today’s ceremony is an opportunity to honor the memory of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the founding father of Côte d’Ivoire, who made peace a political creed, a second religion.

The President emphasized that the Prize continues to honor, around the world, individuals, institutions, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion, pursuit, and preservation of peace.

President Alassane Ouattara reaffirmed that the Ivorian government is committed to upholding and promoting the values of peace and solidarity globally. Particularly, a world built on fraternity, solidarity, justice, and tolerance.

He extended his heartfelt congratulations to António Costa, President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Portugal, winner of the 2024 edition of the Prize, for his pursuit of compromise and peace—cornerstones of his political commitment. He also congratulated the AZUCAR Foundation, led by Sonia Viveros, recipient of the Special Prize, in recognition of its outstanding work in defending the rights of Afro-descendants in Latin America.

Created in 1989, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny UNESCO Peace Prize has over the decades become a global benchmark in the promotion of peace.