On the sidelines of the 19th Summit of La Francophonie, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara met to discuss mutual interests and explore ways to deepen collaboration within the Francophonie. The meeting took place during the summit, where leaders focused on fostering cooperation among member states.

Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted Côte d'Ivoire's active involvement in the International Organization of La Francophonie, particularly its leadership role in the Membership Committee. He also acknowledged Côte d'Ivoire's principled stance in condemning Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. President Ouattara, in turn, commended Canada's positive role in supporting West Africa and the region as a whole. The leaders also exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East.

In addition to global security issues, Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with francophone countries, particularly through increased cooperation in education. Both leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing educational opportunities, a shared priority between the two nations. They also discussed opportunities for Canadian businesses in Côte d'Ivoire, especially in the sectors of natural resources, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.

Furthermore, Trudeau and Ouattara expressed concern about the growing instability in West Africa. The Canadian Prime Minister thanked President Ouattara for his leadership in the region and praised his efforts in providing refuge to displaced people from the Sahel.

Both leaders agreed to maintain close and regular communication, expressing optimism about continuing their work together to advance common priorities in the future.