The Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (CESEC) of Côte d'Ivoire, which holds the presidency of the Union of Francophone Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (UCESIF) for the 2025–2028 term, organized the UCESIF Bureau meeting in the Ivorian town of Assinie, on April 2, 2026.

Seven of the eight economic and social councils that are members of the Bureau were represented at the event: the councils of Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Benin, France, Morocco, Romania, and the Congo, with the latter participating online. The Romanian ESC was represented by Mr. Sterică Fudulea, President, and Ms. Anca Simitopol, Director of the Directorate for International Relations and Public Relations. 

The meeting opened with remarks by Dr. Sylvie Memel Kassi, Director General at the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie; Mr. Emmanuel Tra Bi, Director General at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts; and the mayor of Assinie, Mr. Pierre Magne Woelfell.

Discussions focused on strengthening UCESIF’s role within the institutional Francophonie and on the Union’s activity and financial reports for the year 2025.

President Sterică Fudulea spoke about the richness of the traditions and forms of cultural expression of the countries represented by the CESs that are members of UCESIF and which they promote within the institutional Francophonie.

The members of the Bureau approved the proposal by the President of the Romanian ESC regarding the format of the General Assembly meeting, which, in accordance with the decision of the Bureau meeting held in Brussels on September 8, 2025, will be organized by the Romanian Council in Bucharest. The event will take place between September 28 and 30, 2026, within a broader framework, namely the Francophone Social Dialogue Forum, dedicated to the role of representative partners in social and civic dialogue within social, economic, and cultural diplomacy.

On the sidelines of the Bureau meeting, Mr. Fudulea discussed with Mr. Emmanuel Tra Bi, Director General for Industry at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, and with Mr. Kanigui Ouattara, President of the Ivorian Confederation of SMEs, opening up opportunities for collaboration with Ivorian institutions and the business community.

The Romanian delegation also visited St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Abidjan, one of the largest Catholic buildings on the African continent, and met with Father Alexandre Kouassi Akré, the parish priest and rector of the cathedral. He described the religious landscape of Ivory Coast, characterized by a relative balance—approximately 30% Christians (mostly Catholics), 30% Muslims, and 30% animists—and emphasized the essential role of interreligious dialogue in reducing tensions and strengthening social peace.