Washington, DC, 12 June 2023 每 The 51勛圖 Secretary-General＊s Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the 51勛圖 Regional Office for Central Africa (), Abdou Abarry, was in Washington, DC, on Friday, 9 June, to discuss regional dynamics in Central Africa with officials from the United States Government and World Bank.

During the day, he met with Directors at the National Security Council, including Scott Leo, Director for Multilateral Affairs, and Matthew Petit, Director for African Affairs. He also visited the State Department, where he met with: Brian Grimm, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs; Amy Holman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs; and Gregory Morrison, Director of the Office of Central African Affairs.

Abdou Abarry (far right) meets with Amy Holman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs (far left) and Brian Grimm, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs (second from left) at the US State Department, Washington, DC. 9 June 2023. Photo: UNIC Washington

At the World Bank, Mr. Abarry held bilateral meetings with Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director of the Africa Group II, and Ousmane Diagana, Vice President for Western and Central Africa, before holding a working lunch with a wider group of World Bank Executive Directors.

Abdou Abarry briefs World Bank Executive Directors in Washington, DC. 9 June 2023. Photo: UNIC Washington

UNOCA was created in 2011. Its mandate includes monitoring political developments in Central Africa, carrying out good offices and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary-General, and enhancing sub-regional capacities for conflict prevention and mediation in countries of the sub-region. It supports the initiatives of Central African nations on peace and security and enhances coherence and coordination in the UN＊s peace and security work in Central Africa.