EMBASSY NEWSCENTRE

US Opens the Largest Embassy in West Africa (07/12/05)

(ABIDJAN) July 12, 2005 - Côte d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo, U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks, and General Charles Williams, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), officially opened the new embassy of the United States of America in Côte d’Ivoire, during a ceremony held today at the chancery in Abidjan. The new embassy is the largest American embassy in West Africa. The ceremony marks the completion of more than three years of intensive efforts by Americans and Ivoirians, who collaborated together to construct a landmark symbol to the strength of relations and the possibilities of partnership between the United States and Côte d’Ivoire.

"This magnificent new building is a symbol of American values and of the commitment of the United States of America to the future of Côte d’Ivoire and the countries of West Africa," remarked Ambassador Hooks in inaugurating the new building.

300 dignitaries and over 350 American and Ivoirian employees of the embassy looked on as President Gbagbo, Ambassador Hooks, and General Williams cut the ribbon to ceremoniously open the 21,845 square-meter facility in the Riviera neighborhood of Abidjan. The project cost over 90 million USD and will house almost all of the offices of the United States Government in Côte d’Ivoire. This embassy will also serve as a model for all American embassies around the world.

"The design of this office building is so exemplary, that we have developed from it a standard embassy model of which OBO is now using for all our new buildings worldwide. This recognition began here with you in Cote d'Ivoire," added General Williams. "In this building, we showcase American architectural design at its finest, wrought by the highest standard and quality of construction."

While serving as a worldwide model, the design of the new embassy is locally inspired. The exterior patterns of the building reflect the style of traditional African fabrics and the interior of the facility includes quilts from the American state of Alabama, with heavy influences from West African art.