A/HRC/38/32/Add.1
Malinké, the Gour and the Krou. Overall, 42 per cent of the country’s inhabitants are
Muslim, 34 per cent are Christian, 4 per cent are animists, 19 per cent have no religion and
1 per cent are members of other religions. The official language is French, while the most
common African languages are Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, Anyin and Cebaara Senoufo.
8.
With its strong economic assets, Côte d’Ivoire is seen as a subregional power. Some
of its infrastructure — such as the second largest port in sub-Saharan Africa, an extensive
road network and a recently expanded international airport — dates back to the two decades
known as “the Ivorian miracle” (1960–1980). As regards agriculture, the country is the
largest producer of cocoa in the world, with a market share of more than 35 per cent. It also
ranks among the main African producers of several other export crops, such as rubber,
cashew nuts, cotton, coffee, palm oil, bananas, pineapples and cola nuts.
9.
The recent years of crisis had a negative impact on the poverty rate, which rose from
38.4 per cent in 2002 to 48.9 per cent in 2008. Poverty remains particularly widespread in
rural areas: the rural poverty rate is 62.5 per cent, compared with 29.5 per cent in urban
areas.
10.
Since 2011, the country has enjoyed average annual growth of 9 per cent. In order to
achieve its aim of turning Côte d’Ivoire into an emerging country by 2020, the Government
adopted the 2016–2020 National Development Plan, which sets out structural measures that
are designed to generate continuous growth driven by the private sector. In May 2016, the
total funding pledged by financial backers, in the form of loans and donations, amounted to
US$ 15.4 billion.
11.
Despite these favourable conditions and the efforts of the Ivorian authorities, which
have been unanimously praised by the international financial community, the country must
overcome many challenges, particularly when it comes to combating corruption and
improving the business environment, in order to fully regain its status as a driver of
regional economic growth. In addition, growth must be distributed more evenly if there is
to be a lasting improvement in development indicators.
12.
The international community and the country’s development partners supported the
Government in its efforts to tackle the many challenges that arose following the postelectoral crisis; this enabled the Government to re-establish the necessary State institutions.
III. Legal framework governing the right to education
A.
International obligations of Côte d’Ivoire
13.
Côte d’Ivoire is a party to most of the international instruments that deal with the
right to education, with the exception of the International Convention on the Protection of
the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
14.
The Government has taken steps to better address its international human rights
obligations through national laws and policies.
15.
In 1992, Côte d’Ivoire became a party to the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, which establishes the right to education. It has also undertaken
to work towards the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 4, which consists of
ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning
opportunities for all. The Special Rapporteur commends the Government on its
commitment to pursuing these Goals, which is illustrated by their inclusion in the 2016–
2020 National Development Plan. She encourages the authorities to continue attaching the
utmost importance to Sustainable Development Goal 4, for education provides the
foundation for freedom and economic growth and helps to drive progress and sustainable
development.
16.
Côte d’Ivoire has also made political commitments, together with the international
community, in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was
adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015. Target 4.1 of
Sustainable Development Goal 4 stipulates that, by 2030, Member States should ensure that
4
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