Mr. Jean Pierre HILLAH, the newly appointed Governor of Lions Club International District 403-A2, commenced his official regional tour across the four nations within his district, making Côte d’Ivoire his inaugural stop. On Monday, August 31, 2026, Governor Hillah was warmly received by Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, the Minister of Planning and Development, at his ministerial office.

District 403-A2 encompasses a significant West African presence, covering Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Within Ivorian territory alone, the district operates across five distinct regions. The core initiatives of Lions Club International are primarily directed towards empowering young people through capacity building programs and safeguarding the environment.

During the visit, the esteemed organization formally reiterated its unwavering commitment to actively support the implementation of Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitious National Development Plan (PND) for the period 2026-2030.

Minister DIARRASSOUBA highlighted the opportune timing of this high-profile visit, noting that Côte d’Ivoire had recently embarked on a fresh cycle of its comprehensive National Development Plan. This new PND 2026-2030 embodies the strategic vision of His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara, aiming to elevate Côte d’Ivoire to the status of an upper-middle-income nation by the year 2030.

The Minister further underscored the robust engagement of various partners rallying around the PND 2026-2030. He emphasized that the government’s actions are meticulously aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s transformative Agenda 2063.

The productive discussions between Governor Hillah and Minister Diarrassouba have paved the way for a strengthened cooperation, with a clear focus on critical areas such as youth empowerment, health initiatives, educational advancement, and environmental protection.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter