A delegation from the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and the City of Nice, led by Professor Véronique PAQUIS and Maty DIOUF, Deputy Mayors of Nice, undertook a mission to the capital of Côte d’Ivoire to enhance cooperation between these two cities, twinned since 2013.
The Metropolis offered its expertise to the Autonomous District of Abidjan regarding air quality preservation. Indeed, like other major metropolises and with its 6 million inhabitants, Abidjan is subject to high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles.
A comprehensive air quality monitoring cabin was installed, along with thorough training for Ivorian agents.
This visit also allowed for an initial positive assessment of the first months of using the mobile urban air and noise quality monitoring equipment. Consequently, a second sensor was provided to the District to increase the density of in situ measurements.
A second agreement is being prepared in this regard, focusing on automobile traffic, public transportation, and industries.
As part of an education cooperation plan, a correspondence program between primary schools in Nice and Côte d’Ivoire has been established.
This partnership will be expanded to develop a network of environmental libraries in Abidjan. The District of Abidjan has initiated the creation of an Environment House modeled on the one in Nice and has established a youth council to debate key environmental and educational issues.
The delegation also met with the International Women’s Network of Metropolis, which is actively supported by UN Women on issues related to the empowerment of rural women, violence against women, and the fight against discrimination. This women’s federation brings together Ivorian women in an association aimed at helping them develop their own agricultural production cooperative of ATTIEKE, a traditional Ivorian dish derived from cassava culture. The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis donated an adapted vehicle to be used by the association to facilitate cassava harvesting.
