The Organisation of West African States (OAS) has officially received the keys to its temporary headquarters in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s institutional development and regional operations.
The handover ceremony brought together representatives of the OAS, Ivorian authorities, and various stakeholders involved in establishing the new facility. The temporary headquarters will provide the organisation with a functional base from which to operate its services, coordinate programmes, and strengthen engagement with member states, regional institutions, and international partners.
Located in Grand-Bassam, the facility will accommodate OAS staff and provide space for official meetings, consultations, and other activities linked to the organisation’s regional mandate.
The choice of Grand-Bassam reflects the organisation’s ambition to strengthen its institutional presence in West Africa. As Côte d’Ivoire’s historic former capital, Grand-Bassam is renowned for its cultural, historical, and administrative significance. Its proximity to Abidjan also grants the OAS convenient access to key national institutions, diplomatic missions, and international partners.
The temporary headquarters will serve as a coordination hub for the organisation’s activities while discussions and planning for a permanent base continue. The ceremony highlighted the robust cooperation between the OAS and Ivorian authorities, whose support has been instrumental to the organisation’s installation and operational readiness.
With the formal handover of its premises, the OAS is entering a new phase of institutional growth. The organisation plans to leverage the facility to improve its operational capacity, streamline programme coordination, and deepen relations with member states and regional partners.
OAS officials welcomed the development, describing it as clear evidence of their partners’ commitment to supporting the organisation’s effective functioning. This official handover marks the beginning of the OAS’s occupancy in Grand-Bassam and opens a promising new chapter for the organisation in Côte d’Ivoire.
