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

District 403-A2 encompasses Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, with five distinct regions operating within Ivorian territory. The core initiatives of the Lions Club International primarily concentrate on enhancing youth capabilities and championing environmental preservation efforts.

The esteemed organization has firmly committed its support to the successful execution of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) for the period 2026-2030.

The Minister of Plan and Development highlighted the opportune timing of this visit, noting that Côte d’Ivoire had recently embarked on a fresh cycle of its comprehensive National Development Plan.

The PND 2026-2030 embodies the ambitious vision of His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the President of the Republic, aiming to elevate Côte d’Ivoire to the status of an upper-middle-income nation by the year 2030.

Furthermore, the Minister underscored the significant mobilization of partners rallying around the PND 2026-2030, reiterating that governmental actions are meticulously aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

These productive discussions have paved the way for a collaborative partnership focusing on crucial areas such as youth empowerment, healthcare, education, and environmental stewardship.