For three quarters of a century, the Port of Abidjan has been driving C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire\u2019s economy and supporting the region\u2019s development. The anniversary was marked on 11 and 12 September with celebrations attended by the Prime Minister of C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire and senior government officials. The opening keynote was delivered by Dr Yann Alix, Chief Executive of the Sefacil Foundation and a member of the AIVP\u2019s network of experts. AIVP was represented at the event by Philippe Mathis, its official Ambassador and former President, who opened the round table discussions on the Port of Abidjan\u2019s strategic position in its market and its relationship with the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the city and the port have grown rapidly in recent years and they enjoy a clear symbiotic relationship, with the port driving the city\u2019s development, while the city provides the location and supports the port\u2019s activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Together, they represent a formidable economic force, although their rapid growth is leading to mounting congestion. Gridlock is by no means a foregone conclusion, however. The city and port have the opportunity to work together on a joint decongestion strategy for the future, with input from all stakeholders, including residents living close to the port. Practical measures include improved traffic management, better urban planning, stronger intermodal connections, and coordinated development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the solutions appear simple, implementing them will of course take considerable time and effort, and success depends on a shared understanding of priorities, joint solutions under shared governance, and a long-term City-Port roadmap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philippe Matthis reminded participants that the Port of Abidjan has been an active AIVP member since 1996, and underlined that AIVP\u2019s global network of port cities has all the expertise needed to help both the port and the city rise to these challenges. These are global issues that call for coordinated global responses involving all stakeholders. Working in isolation may be easier, but it can only provide short-term solutions and is unable to address the complex challenges of today\u2019s city-port ecosystems. This is exactly what the AIVP 2030 Agenda for sustainable port cities seeks to tackle. Philippe Matthis encouraged local stakeholders to endorse the Agenda as the platform for a renewed shared ambition, and highlighted two key priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For AIVP, it was both an honour and a privilege to be part of this landmark event for C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire. We extend our sincere thanks to Port Autonome d\u2019Abidjan for inviting us to attend, and for giving us a warm welcome. Happy anniversary!<\/p>\n\n\n