Meeting of Dominique Ouattara with Hillary Clinton

Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, The First Lady of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, closed yesterday (Monday, July 23, 2012, ed) her mission in the United States by a working session with the U.S. State Department. It all began with a working lunch with Mrs. Maria Otero, Deputy Secretary of State for Work and slavery, with Ambassador Johnnie Carson and Mr. Luis Cdebaga, home specialist of human trafficking. On the Ivorian side, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara was accompanied by the Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to the United States of America, Daouda Diabaté and Mrs. Coffie Goudou Raymonde, Minister of the Family, Woman and Child. The president of the National Oversight Committee for the fight against child labor and exploitation of children, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara told Hillary Clinton's members of staff the commitment of Côte d'Ivoire to combat this scourge. Then she explained the efforts made by the Ivorian authorities, the ratification of international conventions in the implementation of the National Oversight Committee and the Inter-ministerial Committee to fight against child labor and exploitation. The First Lady handed over to their American partners the National Action Plan 2012-2014 for fight against child trafficking and labor and the answers that the country brings to the recent recommendations of the State Department about trafficking in persons. Besides, the First Lady said that in the framework of this fight, she intended to involve other First Ladies of the sub-region. An agreement was already signed with Mali and soon another agreement will be signed with the First Lady of Burkina Faso. An initiative appreciated by the U.S. Department of State at its fair value.

After an hour of lunch, Mrs. Hillary Clinton received herself the Ivorian delegation. She reiterated the determination of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and her personal commitment.

The Secretary of State appreciated the efforts being made by the Ivorian authorities. She also congratulated the President for the Herculean work performed to reposition the country and the significant progress in the normalization of the country. She was effusive in praise for the President of the National Oversight Committee. Hillary Clinton said the United States is willing to accompany Côte d'Ivoire. The two parties exchanged in a convivial atmosphere during 30 minutes.

After this audience, the First Lady left Washington for Paris, where her spouse begins an official visit.