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TORI Robinson, guest star for the Gala 2006 (Photo: Honoré Koffi/US Embassy)

Gala Will Celebrate Abidjan & San Francisco’s Sister City Relationship

The United States Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire today announced plans to hold an elaborate gala on September 9th 2006, to celebrate the Sister City relationship between Abidjan and San Francisco, California.  Entitled, “The Lights of San Francisco,” the evening will include a concert by the celebrated American singer Tori Robinson, a fashion show by Ivoirian designers, and songs from the popular Ivoirian artist, Orentch’y.  An Embassy spokeswoman said that the gala, which is held annually, is an opportunity to celebrate the growth of American-Ivoirian relations through highlighting the special relationship that exists between these two cities.

“Abidjan and San Francisco are dynamic communities that can gain a tremendous amount from this partnership.  San Francisco is at the heart of the United States’ technological and cultural growth; Abidjan is Cote d’Ivoire’s artistic and economic core,” said the United States Embassy’s Gala Coordinator Linda McMullen.  “This celebration will bring attention and support to this growing relationship.  It will be an extraordinary evening, unlike Abidjan has ever seen.”

While Abidjan and San Francisco have been joined as sister cities since 1987, until recently only a few exchanges have taken place.  The Vice Governor of the District of Abidjan, Samuel Mobio, recently led an Ivoirian mission to San Francisco to rejuvenate this bond.  A new agreement calls for San Francisco to provide Abidjan with training in the development of urban infrastructure, hospitals, communications, and sanitation.  There are also plans to build stronger economic, cultural, and sports ties between the two cities.  The final agreement will be signed by the Governor of the District of Abidjan when he travels to San Francisco in October.