Côte d’Ivoire and UNDP Sign 2026–2030 Cooperation Programme to Support National Development Priorities

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Abidjan, the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, and Ms. Blerta Cela, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, signed the Côte d’Ivoire–UNDP Cooperation Programme 2026–2030, a new five-year framework structuring UNDP’s support to national development priorities.

The ceremony brought together representatives from government institutions, the diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, technical and financial partners, civil society, and the private sector.

The CPD 2026–2030 is aligned with the National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030, adopted by the Council of Ministers on February 4, 2026, and coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Development.

The Minister emphasized that the Plan reflects the vision of the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, to “build a Great, Prosperous and United Nation,” within which the UNDP is expected to fully align its interventions and resources.

The new Cooperation Programme is built on three priority areas: accelerating structural economic transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth; improving access for women, youth, and vulnerable groups to opportunities and basic services; and strengthening resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

“This direction will allow us to improve the Programme’s performance by leveraging digital solutions, innovative and integrated approaches combining governance, peace, local economy, and climate, as well as a strong reinforcement of local capacities,” said Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba.

For her part, Ms. Blerta Cela outlined two key areas of UNDP intervention. On the first, she highlighted that the deployment of digital public services aims to bring public authorities closer to citizens and strengthen the social contract, noting that “when public services work, trust grows and the nation is strengthened.”

On the second axis, focused on innovation for sustainable and resilient growth, the UNDP committed to supporting local businesses, contributing to the creation of more than 100,000 jobs including green and blue jobs expanding access to clean energy, protecting over 10 million people from climate and security risks, restoring forests, and mobilizing more than $100 million in climate financing.

With sixty years of continuous engagement alongside the Ivorian people, this long-standing presence reflects a strong partnership built on trust, proven results, and shared commitment. This historical depth underpins the relevance of the CPD 2026–2030, which remains focused on delivering tangible outcomes for the population.

The signing of the CPD adds to a series of high-level meetings initiated by the Ministry of Planning and Development with its strategic partners, confirming the strong international momentum supporting the objectives of the PND 2026–2030.