From 24 to 25 April 2025, the International Conference on the Fight Against Corruption: The Challenges of Training and Collective Action was organized by the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG) of Côte d’Ivoire in partnership with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), and with the financial support of the World Bank Group. The event was held in the capital city Yamoussoukro under the leadership of HABG President, Mr. Epiphane Zoro Bi Ballo. The conference also served as the launching ceremony for the Academy of Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Leadership of Côte d’Ivoire.
Opening Ceremony and High-Level Participation
The conference opened with keynote speeches from the Vice President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, and Mr. Epiphane Zoro Bi Ballo. Both speakers emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening anti-corruption efforts through institutional capacity-building, interagency cooperation, and sustained international engagement.
Professor Slagjana Taseva, Dean and Executive Secretary of IACA, delivered a speech highlighting the importance of education and training in addressing corruption challenges. She underscored the relevance of tailored anti-corruption education, particularly in the African regional context, and reaffirmed IACA’s commitment to supporting African states in building institutional resilience.
Expert Panels and Ministerial Engagement
The two-day conference featured high-level panel discussions with participation from various ministers of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, including Mr. Sansan Kambile (Minister of Justice and Human Rights), Mr. Adama Coulibaly (Minister of Economy and Finance), and Ms. Anne Désirée Ouloto (Minister of Public Service), among others. The panels also brought together leading figures from international organizations, political leaders, and experts from around the world, who addressed a wide range of topics related to governance, anti-corruption strategies, financial integrity, and institutional cooperation.
Adoption of the Yamoussoukro Declaration
At the conclusion of the event, the Yamoussoukro Declaration was presented by Mr. Aba Kimelabalou, President of the Anti-Corruption Institution of Togo and Secretary General of the RINLCAO. The declaration reaffirmed Côte d'Ivoire’s determination to promote virtuous governance through collective, institutional, and regional collaboration.
Closing
In her closing remarks, Professor Taseva expressed hope that the conference would serve as a milestone in advancing anti-corruption education and collective governance solutions in West Africa. She also reaffirmed IACA’s interest in establishing joint academic programmes with Ivorian institutions to strengthen the region’s long-term capacity regarding integrity and compliance.
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding
In the margins of the conference, Professor Taseva and Mr. Zoro Bi Ballo signed a Memorandum of Understanding between IACA and HABG. This document will serve as a framework for future joint initiatives in anti-corruption training, policy development, and academic cooperation.
IACA Training Programmes
On 26 April, IACA launched an intensive five-day training programme for 100 Ivorian anti-corruption professionals, including civil servants, law enforcement officers, and compliance practitioners. This initiative marks the beginning of a broader training effort, with an additional 200 participants expected to be trained in June 2025. Further capacity-building activities are under discussion, aimed at expanding the reach and sustainability of anti-corruption education across public institutions in Côte d’Ivoire and across the region.
