UPF Côte d’Ivoire Celebrates 20 Years of Service

Written by UPF-Africa
Saturday, August 9, 2025

Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire – The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Côte d’Ivoire marked a historic milestone with the celebration of its 20th Anniversary, held on August 8–9, 2025, at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research. The commemoration gathered more than 1,500 participants in person and reached an estimated 3.8 million people online through social media and live broadcasts. The event reflected both the national and international stature of UPF-CI as a leading force for peace and social cohesion.

The distinguished gathering was honored by the presence of eminent personalities, including H.E. Kandia Camara, President of the Senate of Côte d’Ivoire; H.E. Zoro Bi Ballo Épiphane, President of the High Authority for Good Governance; H.E. Raymonde Goudou Coffie, Minister-Governor; several senators; H.E. Danho Paulin, 1st Vice-Governor of the District of Abidjan; H.E. Eugène Aka Aouélé, President of the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council; members of the Government; the Prefect and Mayor of Yamoussoukro; H.E. Doumbia Adama, President of UPF Africa; and H.E. Aka Sayé Lazare, President of UPF Côte d’Ivoire. Religious and traditional leaders, civil society members, youth representatives, and international delegates also graced the commemoration.

The first day, Friday, August 8, 2025, was devoted to protocol visits and symbolic acts of interfaith unity. UPF delegations visited the Town Hall, Prefecture, and the Office of the Minister-Governor, followed by a special mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and a prayer of blessing at the central mosque of Yamoussoukro. These visits emphasized the universality of UPF’s mission, bridging faiths, institutions, and communities.

The day also featured the training of new Ambassadors for Peace at the Prefecture’s conference hall, followed by their official induction at the Yakro Fiesta venue. The new Ambassadors pledged to uphold UPF’s principles of living for the sake of others, promoting unity across religions and cultures, and contributing actively to peace in Côte d’Ivoire.

The second day, Saturday, August 9, 2025, was dedicated to the grand commemoration ceremony, where the spirit of unity, gratitude, and renewal prevailed. Three eminent leaders were specially elevated to the rank of Ambassador for Peace:

• H.E. Kandia Camara, President of the Senate of Côte d’Ivoire,

• H.E. Zoro Bi Ballo Épiphane, President of the High Authority for Good Governance,

• H.E. Raymonde Goudou Coffie, Minister-Governor.

The solemnity of the occasion was highlighted by the cutting of the 20th Anniversary cake and the signing of the Peace Charter, symbolizing a renewed commitment to the universal values of peace, solidarity, and service. The ceremony was enriched by the participation of the Regional Director of WFWP and the leadership of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, reflecting the strength of UPF’s partnerships within the global peace movement.

The anniversary celebration concluded with a vibrant call for collective action to build a more peaceful and cohesive Côte d’Ivoire. UPF leaders and participants alike pledged to deepen collaboration with national institutions, expand peace education, and foster reconciliation at every level of society.

The commemoration of 20 years of UPF Côte d’Ivoire thus stood as both a celebration of past achievements and a vision for the future, reaffirming UPF’s role as a beacon of peace and unity in the nation and beyond.