Agreements and Conventions

This cooperation is marked by the signing of Agreements and Conventions between the two countries. It has been further enriched within the framework of the International Organization of La Francophonie, of which both Côte d'Ivoire and Canada are members:

• September 14, 2016: Signing of a Friendship and Cooperation Act in Montreal to establish a twinning agreement between the cities of Montreal and Abidjan.
• July 21, 2017: Signing of an establishment agreement in Abidjan, confirming the opening of a Quebec office in Abidjan.
• November 30, 2017: Official launch of the Quebec Office in Abidjan under the mandate of Mr. Morel Siasia, Director of the Office.

Economic and Financial Cooperation

• Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments (APIE), signed in 2015.
• Air Transport Agreement (ATA), signed in 1987.
• Convention to Avoid Double Taxation on Income and Prevent Tax Evasion, signed in 1983.

Ivorian Debt Relief

Under the Canadian Debt Relief Initiative Program, Côte d'Ivoire benefited from a total cancellation of its debt amounting to $260 million USD in 2012.

Economically, Canada has provided technical and financial support for poverty reduction. A ten-year program (2002-2011) was established in February 2002, focusing on:

1. Cooperative development, with support for coffee and cocoa cooperatives.
2. Forest management, under the framework of the new sectoral policy.

Project Support

Three (03) funds have been established to support various development projects:

• Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI): Supports small-scale projects initiated by local populations in technical, economic, educational, cultural, and social sectors.
• Special Development Fund (SDF): Supports NGOs, civil society, local governments, and grassroots communities.
• Ivorian-Canadian Counterpart Fund (FDCIC): Provides funding contributions for poverty reduction programs.

Canada also supports Côte d'Ivoire through several regional projects, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Integrated Epidemiological Surveillance (training populations on infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS).

Cultural Cooperation

Canada offers scholarships for studies and research to Côte d'Ivoire through the Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program (CFSP).

• Since 1987, 114 Ivorian citizens have received CFSP scholarships to study in Canada.
• Under the Education and Training Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and the Government of Quebec on November 14, 2002, Ivorian students wishing to study in Quebec can be exempt from additional tuition fees normally charged to foreign students.
• A large delegation from Quebec participated in the 8th Francophonie Games in Abidjan from July 21 to 31, 2017.

Military and Humanitarian Cooperation

Military cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and Canada in training has allowed Ivorian officers and non-commissioned officers, as well as Ivorian civilians, to receive advanced training in Canada, particularly in peacekeeping techniques.

Canada has also supported the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (ONUCI):

• Over 120 million CAD was provided to ONUCI.
• Nine (09) police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were assigned to ONUCI.

Regarding humanitarian aid, Canada contributed over $8.5 million USD to the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), UN agencies, and international NGOs to support refugees and displaced populations affected by the post-election crisis